The Mysterious Island (1929)

The Mysterious Island
Directed by Lucien Hubbard
Written by Lucien Hubbard from the novel by Jules Verne
1929/US
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
IMDb page
First viewing/YouTube

Count Andre Dakkar: Who am I? I’m a scientist – who asks nothing, but to be left alone. Here on my island we don’t think of kings or rank or power. Here the humblest workman in my shops, the peasant who tills my field, is my equal. We work with but one end: to study, to learn, to be free! To seek happiness, each in his own way.

This early silent-talkie science fiction film suffers from many limitations but is a bit of fun nonetheless.

The setting is the mainland realm of Hetvia, ruled by the evil Baron Falon (Montagu Love), and the adjacent Mysterious Island which is benevolently governed by Count Dakkar (Lionel Barrymore). The people appear to be Eastern European or Russian. Dakkar is not only an egalitarian leader but a brilliant scientist who has invented a submarine that can explore the deepest depths of the sea. He has a theory that the place in occupied by a humanoid race that can breathe underwater.

Dakkar’s daughter Sonia is in love with his assistant Nikolai. Falon vehemently objects saying a Count’s daughter should not mix with a mere employee. Secretly, he covets Sonia for himself.

Nikolai volunteers to take the submarine on a test run. Later Dakkar joins them. With Dakkar gone Falon invades the island and kidnaps Sonia. He then takes a second sub down. The confrontation between the two rulers is interrupted with attacks by a crocodolian-like monster, a giant squid, and thousands of humanoids.

Despite the big budget and glamor studio backing, this is mighty similar to a good/bad 50’s B-film.  The miniature work is laughable as are the monsters and humanoids.  But it’s good fun for a lazy afternoon nonetheless.