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DVD Around the World in 80 Days (Two-Disc Special Edition)
This Mike Todd production was a star-studded, multi-million dollar extravaganza when first released in 1956. It remains enjoyable family fare, but time has somewhat dulled its shine. Still, it compares favorably to the overly long, TV mini-series starring Pierce Brosnan and Eric Idle.
Elegant David Niven plays the neurotically punctual Phileas Fogg, a British gent who is spurned on by a wager to prove he can travel around the world in 80 days. He is accompanied by his valet, played with persnickety humor by Cantinflas.
Nominated for several Academy Awards, this was written by John Farrow (Mia's dad) and S.J. Perelman, based on Jules Verne's 1873 classic. The fun part is the razzle-dazzle. Todd knew what he was doing with all those exotic locales and over 40 cameo appearances, including Charles Boyer, Ronald Colman, Marlene Dietrich, José Greco, Peter Lorre, Buster Keaton, Frank Sinatra, and Red Skelton. A very young Shirley MacLaine was painted and dyed to play a lively Indian Princess. --Rochelle O'Gorman
Review(s): DVD Around the World in 80 Days (Two-Disc Special Edition)
A traveloguethat hasn't aged as well as it might.
This movie is a mixed bag. Where the actors are actually doing something, it is very entertaining. The many cameos of long-gone stars are delightful. But in-between are many minutes of beautiful scenery.
Don't get me wrong. I love travelogues, but the long, loving shots of nothing but exotic countryside tends to wear thin after awhile.
An Absolute Classic
If the objective of a film is to entertain, then this one fills the bill admirably, and it works its magic every time that you view it. Based on Jules Verne's tale, Mike Todd produced a sweeping panorama of the world of 1872, as Plileas Fogg (David Niven), a proper British gentleman, claims that progress has been so great that a person can circumnavigate the earth in as little as 80 days. His fellow club members hoot and bet a fortune that he cannot, so Fogg and his servant, Passepartout (the wonderful, Mexican comedian Cantinflas), set off from London to Paris and on around the world by train, ship, elephant, and even balloon, and we are treated to a magnificent spectacle. Along the way, Fogg runs afoul of Mr. Fix (Robert Newton), a detective who mistakenly tries to arrest Fogg for robbing the Bank of England. Fogg also saves the Indian Princess Aouda (Shirley MacLaine) from burning on the funeral pyre of her dead husband, and romance grows in a particularly 19th century, British manner. Tension grows as they struggle to get from Japan to San Francisco, across the American continent and the Atlantic in time to meet the deadline. This is a thoroughly enjoyable film that doesn't grow old.
A crashing bore, chaps
What a waste. One pointless vignette after another, with bad acting (even David Niven is wasted; he just has to act cranky every 15 minutes or so), bad sets (Hong Kong was a back lot), improbable to the point of inane plot developments (why, oh why do I have to endure the Spanish dancers, and why does that lead to a bullfight, and why only then can Fogg get on his way), and precious little charm anywhere. Sorry, to engage me you need to have more in a film than some 50 year old cameos and some spare travelogue footage. Jules Verne's book is a far, far better thing.
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