Atlantis: The Lost Continent (1961)

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

That's how it looked to me when I saw it on its first release in 1961-I was 11 at the time. And that's how to view it. Don't expect incredibly subtle acting, profound and penetrating dialog, deep insights into the human condition. It's an adventure movie, its protagonist is an ordinary man thrown into incredible circumstances-like Indiana Jones, no ? George Pal's pre-CGI specials effects hold up well, a good example where imagination linked to a strong sense of credibility make up for lack of technology. Think of Ray Harryhausen or the Lydecker Brothers, they were George Pal's contemporaries. Joyce Taylor as Princess Antilla-hmmm,isn't she a lot like like Princess Leaia ? Nice to look at, drives the boys wild, but feisty, rather iron willed and not to ready to cuddle up to those she deems inferiors. Has several familiar themes-Evil Empire headed by-or at least guided by-mad scientist, sees outsiders as inferiors merely to be subjugated for the benefit of the "Master Race", but one of the top men has pangs of consciences, senses they're unleashing forces they can't control. And what they're doing is wrong. Regarding the use of stock footage, scenes from other movies, studios are in business to make money and they often do so by cutting corners and using what they have on hand, profits are made as much through not spending money, avoiding losses as through ticket sales, producers and directors who complete movies on or ahead of schedule and at or under budget are viewed with great favor by studio execs.

This movie does not have any known stars. I think the most well known is the guy who played the Chief on Get Smart. But conceptually this is a great movie. It captures the imagination. It plays into the stories of the advanced people of the famous lost continent. A place with advanced science in the ancient world. But such strength becomes their downfall. This move was made during the cold war when many thought the A-bomb could lead to our downfall. It also shows how even with such advanced knowledge, the people of Atlantis act just like people. Such themes are common in science fiction and fantasy of the era, but they are brought together nicely in this movie. Also this movie has the great special effects of its director, George Pal. And those are worth the price of admission any day.

The idea of a Atlantis...lost continent and what may have happened to it is intriguing and this movie takes us into that world. It is not perfect, but let it suspend your beliefs for a time and enjoy it for what it is....Good points to ponder throughout the movie and the beginning is very well presented. It sets you up quite well. Afterall, what did happen to Atlantis? Keep in mind that there was quite a bit of known knowledge around thousands of years ago that was quite extra ordinary. The concept of batteries is evidenced to be thousands of years old yet we give it no thought. Furthermore,it was a standing rule in Egypt that when you visited and had anything in writing, they were allowed to copy it. Thus the great library was created having knowledge from all over the world only to be destroyed later on. Where did all the knowledge that Atlantis had go? Why did it go? They were ahead of their time these Atlantisians...This movie will help you with that thought....Enjoy...

Don't forget this movie is from 1961!The plot is really nice but with some tension holes towards the ending. The acting is awesome, music is nice, all locations, statues and things like that completely spectacular. It has a lot of different genre elements, it's a love tragedy, it's adventure, action, social criticism, mystery, epic, political... it has all a good movie needs. But there was one thing I really enjoyed about this movie; if you are familiar with mythology and Atlantis-theories and Erich van Daniken stuff you will really enjoy this movie cause it seems to be really based on that clues and hints that history gave us about Atlantis. Definitely the best Atlantis-related movie ever!