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The Atomic Submarine

The Atomic Submarine (1959)

November. 29,1959
|
5.2
|
NR
| Thriller Science Fiction

Ships disappear on route across the Arctic Sea, and a special submarine is sent to investigate.

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Reviews

Matialth
1959/11/29

Good concept, poorly executed.

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Acensbart
1959/11/30

Excellent but underrated film

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Philippa
1959/12/01

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

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Fleur
1959/12/02

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

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tomgillespie2002
1959/12/03

Following a series of attacks on cargo ships and, most notably, nuclear submarine's, the Pentagon send their best ship, The Tigershark, to investigate. On board is Lieutenant Commander 'Reef' Holloway (Arthur Franz) and noted scientist Sir Ian Hunt (Tom Conway), who after examining the previous incidents and eye-witness statements, soon form the belief that they are dealing with some kind of underwater alien craft. Holloway's attack-first-ask- questions-later approach puts him at loggerheads with young pacifist Dr. Neilson, Jr. (Brett Halsey), the son of a revered scientist. They soon discover their speedy enemy, and Holloway finds himself confronted by a one-eyed monster intent on world domination.There is a lot to criticise about The Atomic Submarine, regardless of the obvious budget limitations and drive-in aspirations. Sci-fi movies from the 1950's and 60's manufacture most of their charm from bad special effects and clunky dialogue, but The Atomic Submarine looks particularly ropey, with miniature toys and a fish-bowl filling-in for apparently state-of-the-art aquatic engineering and the great blue yonder. The first two-thirds of the film is extremely talky, which would be fine if not for the characters being little more than B- movie archetypes, either puffing their chest with patriotic defiance or providing some light comic relief.Yet the climax, which sees a lot of the crew massacred by the drooling extra-terrestrial (voiced by John Hilliard), proves worth the wait. It's certainly formulaic, but it's full of wobbly, retro sets and a genuinely creepy score by Alexander Laszlo, key aspects in what makes these films so fun to watch. The face-off between Holloway and the spaceman also contains some unintentionally hilarious dialogue. "At last Commander, we meet as your people say... face to face!" says the alien. "That's a face?" Holloway replies. The Atomic Submarine is immediately forgettable, best watched late at night when you feel like you're the only person left awake in the world, but this effortlessly likable fluff.www.the-wrath-of-blog.blogspot.com

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Michael O'Keefe
1959/12/04

Atomic submarine lanes near the North Pole are being invaded. A string of submariners turn to the government for help. Summoned is the U.S.S. Tiger Shark to deal with the complaints. It is finally determined that the mysterious menace is a one-eyed creature probably from outer space and it appears to have all the power and capabilities than the smartest scientists can imagine. This attacker seems to be being powered by a submerged flying saucer. The world is counting on the Tiger Shark to at least neutralize the monster and destroy the saucer guiding it. Spenser Gordon Bennet directs this B-movie horror flick that stars some familiar actors: Arthur Franz, Bob Steele, Dick Foran, Brett Halsey, Joi Lansing, Jack Muhall and Sid Melton.

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l_mammel
1959/12/05

I saw this movie first run at the Strand in Summit, N.J., attracted by the scientific slant of the title. My most vivid recollection is of the stock footage at the beginning illustrating the crisis in the Atlantic. ( This is very similar to the beginning of Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. ) The documentary style had the desired effect on my impressionable mind, and I recall being quite disturbed by it and wondering why I hadn't known about all this, until the fictive nature of the proceedings was reestablished by the appearance of sets and actors. I do recall the general trend of the action as an encounter with an underwater UFO, an idea which has gained traction more recently. Of course, this encounter elicited the usual remarks about the unknown and alien nature of the materials, which I always wondered about, because ... what could it be? I do recall the dialog establishing the alien ship as made of "living material", but beyond that my memory is dim. Nevertheless the experience of it remains a landmark for me.

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DAVID HALEY
1959/12/06

I saw this film for the first time a few hours ago. I had not heard of it previously. Although my impression of it is not as favourable as that of most of those who have posted user comments, that may be explained by the fact that I am not a science fiction fan as such. I am happy to watch such films but I take them as I find them.The point which I wish to make here, though, concerns something which is not in the film. Is it an omission or is it something which no one thought to be of any importance ? Lt. Milburn was killed in the fight against the alien invader - "a casualty of war". It is of course clear that the film endorses the position that men in the services must put their lives at risk in the service of their country (or, indeed, as here, the world). However, the film has established Lt. Milburn as the only member of the crew to be seen to have a wife. Not only that, she is expressly described as "the mother of my three children." Despite this, there is no acknowledgement at all, either at the conclusion of the battle, or at the end of the film, that Mrs. Milburn has been left as a widow with three (undoubtedly young) children to raise.I do not expect a discussion of pension rights and entitlements. What may legitimately be expected, I would say, is some reference to the human cost of what has been depicted in the film, as well as the conclusions as to defence and the need for vigilance which are the film's primary messages.

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