20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1916)

Director:

Stuart Paton

Writer:

Jules Verne (novel)
(more)

Release Date:

24 December 1916 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Plot:

Captain Nemo has built a fantastic submarine for his mission of revenge. He has traveled over 20,000 leagues in search of Charles Denver...

Plot Keywords:

Public Domain | Octopus | Giant Monster | Kidnapping | U Boat

Cast

Lois Alexander	...	Prince Daaker's daughter as a child
Curtis Benton	...	Ned Land
Wallace Clarke	...	Pencroft
Howard Crampton	...	Cyrus Harding
Jane Gail	...	A Child of Nature
Joseph W. Girard	...	Maj. Cameron
Dan Hanlon	...	Prof. Aronnax
Allen Holubar	...	Capt. Nemo
Ole Jansen
Noble Johnson
Leviticus Jones	...	Neb
Matt Moore	...	Lt. Bond
Martin Murphy	...	Herbert Brown
Edna Pendleton	...	Aronnax's dughter
William Welsh	...	Charles Denver (as William Welch)

Directed by
Stuart Paton

Writing credits
Jules Verne		(novel "Vingt Mille Lieues sous les mers")
Stuart Paton		uncredited

Produced by
Carl Laemmle	....	producer
Stuart Paton	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Brian Benison		(1991)

Cinematography by
Eugene Gaudio

Art Direction by
Frank Ormston		(uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Martin Murphy	....	assistant director (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
George M. Williamson	....	underwater photographer (as George Williamson)
J. Ernest Williamson	....	underwater photographer (as Ernest Williamson)
Friend Baker	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Milton Loryea	....	assistant camera (uncredited)

Other crew
Carl Laemmle	....	executive
H.H. Barter	....	technical director (uncredited)
Hertzel Effensachs	....	underwater director (uncredited)
James Milburn	....	assistant technical director (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Universal Film Manufacturing Company
• Williamson Submarine Film Corporation

Distributors

• Universal Film Manufacturing Company (USA) (theatrical)
• States Rights Independent Exchanges (USA) (theatrical)
• Bach Films (2006) (France) (DVD)
• Grapevine Video (USA) (video)
• Image Entertainment (USA) (DVD)
• Image Entertainment (USA) (laserdisc)
• Kino Video (USA) (VHS)

Also Known As:

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (USA) (alternative spelling)

Runtime:

105 min | UK:84 min (video)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

UK:PG | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Leonia, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Universal Film Manufacturing Company

Trivia:

This film became famous for its groundbreaking work in actual underwater photography by George M. Williamson and J. Ernest Williamson.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Making of '20000 Leagues Under the Sea' (2003) (V)

Loved It

My first exposure to 20,000 Leagues, was as a kid in the late 50's at the Colony Theatre in Chicago. This was the Walt Disney version.

I have since purchased the 1916 silent version. I have to commend the movie-makers for a very well-done attempt at filming such a difficult story. The surface shots of the Nautilus looked very much like the vintage 1900's submarine, "Holland". The interior shots were, of course, stage sets. I have to comment however, on the helm-wheel-- the prop guys forgot to tighten it down!!! Also too, the first (as far as I know) underwater shots were very well done-- remarkable for the times. If anyone at all is familiar with 20,000 Leagues, and has not seen this silent version, by all means, see it--and buy it!!! One last thing--- being an avid theatre organ buff, I only wish the music was tracked in organ-- perhaps by Gaylord Carter or Lee Irwin.

Thank you. Your's, Rick