Directed by Michael Anderson
Written by James Poe, John Farrow, and S.J. Perelman from the novel by Jules Verne
1956/USA
Michael Todd Company
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental
Princess Aouda: Mr. Fogg, why must you be so… so British?
Beautiful location shots, a cast of thousands and three hours add up to a whole lot of nothing.
The film begins with an oddly long (in keeping with everything else in the film) scholarly discussion about transportation past, present and future. Then we move to Jules Verne’s story about Phineas Fogg (David Niven) and his bet that he can travel around the world in just 80 days. He embarks with his faithful manservant Passpartout (Cantinflas) and they have various adventures all around the world as Fogg attempts to stay one step in front of the clock.
The continuing story involves a British detective (Robert Newton) who continuously attempts and fails to get Fogg arrested for a bank robbery and an Indian princess (Shirley MacLaine) whom Fogg rescues from certain death. With too many famous actors to mention in cameo roles.
For me, the most fun was trying to identify all the cameo actors. My heart thrilled to see my beloved Buster Keaton but there were many many more, including an almost unrecognizable Trevor Howard. The film did not make me care whether Fogg won his bet or not. This film is noteable, for better or worse, for launching many similar all-star blockbuster period comedies in the 50’s and 60’s.
Around the World in Eighty Days won Academy Awards in the categories of Best Picture; Best Writing, Best Screenplay – Adapted; Best Cinematography, Color; Best Film Editing; and Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture. It was nominated in the categories of Best Director; Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color; and Best Costume Design, Color.
Trailer
I found this really, really disappointing. Sure, the cameos are fun, but David Niven’s role is the most singularly dull lead character in film history. Poor Cantinflas did all of the work and didn’t even get top billing.
This is one frustrating film for me because I want to like the adventure and spectacle, but I just can’t care about any of it. It’s a travelogue with a billion cameos and a snooze of a plot.
I figured it couldn’t be as bad as it’s reputation but I was wrong. “Travelogue” a word that popped up for me too. I guess in 1956 folks must have been hungry for this kind of thing.
I heard somewhere that this was Richard Nixon’s favorite movie. And he also liked cottage cheese and ketchup.
Makes me even more glad that I don’t like ketchup with my cottage cheese or this movie.