During the second half of the 19th century, a government agent (Charles Bronson), a munitions manufacturer (Henry Hull), his daughter (Mary Webster) and her fiancé (David Frankham) are held prisoners by madman Robur (Vincent Price) in his futuristic airship.

Robur’s mission is to ensure peace on Earth, even if he has to destroy every military installation on the planet to accomplish it.  He gets a good start and might succeed unless his unwilling guests can stop him.

CRITIQUE

In the early 1960s, about the same time that Roger Corman was starting to direct his Edgar Allan Poe films for the studio, American-International hired writer Richard Matheson to adapt a pair of Jules Verne novels for this picture, which is, essentially, a low budget clone of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea set in a futuristic airship.

What can one say about Master of the World?

It’s fun (in a “guilty pleasures” sort of way) but it’s really no more than a comic book brought to life.  Indeed, the bold color design of the picture underscores its comic book aspect, as does the direction of William Witney, who cut his teeth directing “B” Westerns and chapter serials.

As Robur, the story’s “Captain Nemo,” Vincent Price is ”Vincent Price”.  Yes, his performance is over the top, as is Henry Hull’s, but that’s what audiences expected from these two popular character actors.  To play their roles with a more serious bent would have been wrong for the picture’s tone.

[In Disney’s 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (1954), James Mason certainly gave us a much more solemn Nemo, but that movie’s approach was not “comic book”.]

Mary Webster and David Frankham are okay in their roles.  On the other hand, Charles Bronson seems uncomfortable as the movie’s bland hero.

Keeping in mind that Master of the World was released in 1961, long before the coming of CGI or even the quality of model work that was seen in 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Wars, the special effects are adequate, though nothing special. 

There is a considerable amount of stock footage utilized in the picture, much of which, presumably for budgetary reasons, remains in black-and-white. 

Other footage seems woefully out-of-place.  I mean that, unless I’m mistaken, there are no barren, rock-filled deserts in Ireland.

Perhaps I was the wrong person to review this movie.  “Different strokes for different folks,” as they say.  What I found to be silly, I’m sure that many other viewers will adore.

THE VIDEO

As part of MGM’s “Limited Edition Collection,” this is a “burned,” as opposed to a “pressed” DVD, and is manufactured from the best elements available.

The 1.85 anamorphic widescreen picture has no significant problems. The colors are quite vivid.

THE AUDIO

The Dolby Digital Sound is crisp and clear.

THE EXTRAS

The film’s theatrical trailer.

FINAL THOUGHT

If you enjoy this kind of comic book nonsense, then this is the movie for you.