This is a most intriguing and entertaining film. While some flaws can certainly be pointed out, it still stands up as a fine feature film.

The story is certainly different in this version. This Nemo is a Boy Scout, helping those in need and interested in revenge only in the case of one personal enemy. As I recall from reading the book and seeing one of the color, sound versions (both about 30 years ago),Captain Nemo was a real sob, intent on extracting "revenge" on every ship he came across. (He was also about half the age of this Nemo.) Still, the twists make for an interesting story, as does the incorporation of "Mysterious Island," another Jules Verne masterpiece, into the story.

Of course the film is best remembered for the amazing early underwater film sequences. These are something to see – especially considering the year. My only criticism of the film would be that Paton perhaps got a little carried away with showing his sequences of underwater sights. Of course, who could blame him? No one else had put anything remotely like this on screen in a feature film before. There is almost a quasi-documentary feel to the film, thanks to the underwater scenes and early SCUBA outfits.

Alan Holubar is outstanding as the aging (and the young) Captain Nemo, while the rest of the cast is solid. The only exception is Jane Gail's horrid overacting as the princess. This is strange, considering that she handled the "child of nature" role with some credibility and little if no overacting. Perhaps the female histrionics were expected in 1916. (At least Robert K. Klepper identifies Gail as playing both roles in "Silent Films, 1877-1996." IMDb does not identify the princess.)

In any case, whatever flaws one may find are dwarfed by the realization that it was so advanced for its time. It's still entertaining, as well, and a great addition to any collection.

This film combines plot elements of Verne's original 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Mysterious Island, then adds its own subplot involving the origin of Captain Nemo that ties everything together. I was very impressed by the writing. This was the first major film with underwater photography. The set design was impressive. I found the diving suits to be particularly interesting--essentially early versions of scuba gear. The new score fit very well into the story. All in all, a wonderful and landmark achievement in filmmaking.

First retelling based on Jules Verne's fantasy-adventure novel with unknown cast and extraordinary scenarios . Silent take on for cinema , filmed in on location in Bahamas . When Jules Verne wrote this famed novel , the startling inventions impressed the world as being the limit of imagination and impossibility . The scenes were made possible by the Williamson Brothers inventions with submarine photoplay ever filmed . The film talks about the known story from Jules Verne novel , a real masterpiece ; 1868 ,the oceans are no longer safe , many ships have been lost, the sailors have returned to New England's fishing port with tales of vicious giant whale with long horn . The naturist and biologist expert named professor Pierre Aronnax and his daughter undertake a dangerous mission . Aronnax , his daughter , along with a professional whaler and famous harpoonist named Ned Land join forces in an expedition commanded by captain Farragut that attempt to unravel the mysterious sinking ships by an unknown creature . Aboard the ship called USS Abrahan Lincoln , they go out to investigate . At sea, Professor Aronnax was aboard the ship when Nautilus rammed it and threw the Professor, his helper and Ned Land into the water . They are captured and get thoroughly involved with power-hungry captain Nemo (Allen Hollubar, being in Disney version masterfully played by James Mason) and take an extraordinary adventure underseas in an advanced submarine called Nautilus . Prisoners at first, they are now treated as guests to view the underwater world and to hunt under the waves. Nemo will also tells them about the riveting submarine of the future and the revenge that has driven him for all these years . Our heroes get stuck in the ship , undergoing numerous adventures and suffering innumerable perils .

Exciting and thrilling submarine movie dealing with the Nautilus captained by Nemo , rendition from ¨20,000 Leagues¨, but also another Verne novel, ¨Mysterious Island¨, so the result is that there are two diverse tales taking place which don't at all seem to fit together, until ultimately they come together in the strange conclusion, which makes little relation in respect to the original classic . It displays sensational adventures , drama , marvelous scenarios and is enjoyable but dated . This film became famous for its groundbreaking work in actual underwater photography by George M. Williamson and J. Ernest Williamson who alone had solved the secret under-water sea photography . The actual undersea footage was shot in the Bahamas due to the unusually clear water . When this film was remade by Walt Disney 38 years later, they came to this same spot for their undersea footage . Fascinating submarine movie blends action , disaster spectacle, hokey fun , suspense and emotional happenings . Surprise-filled entertainment and with plenty of action on grand scale with breathtaking special effects by that time and some ships and submarine by maquette or scale model and filmed in Leonia, New Jersey, Universal Studios , Universal City, California, and New Providence Island, Bahamas . The underwater scenes , sea animals , flamboyant FX to make large-size Octopus seem like horrible monster , all of them are spectacular and the film is an early Hollywood product . However , a confuse plot and overlong runtime became a little boring film . This vintage story was regularly directed by Stuart Paton , it results to be an old mute (1916) with archaeological interest . The motion picture will appeal to fantasy-adventure buffs and silent movie aficionados .

The best adaptation turns out to be the Walt Disney production (1954) , marvelously directed by Richard Fleischer , James Mason plays a serious revenger captain Nemo ; Paul Lukas plays perfectly Annorax as intelligent scientific ; and Ned Land played by Kirk Douglas as a stubborn sailor who spends most of their time devising intelligent ways for escape . Other versions from this unforgettable novel are the following : for TV (1997) directed by Rod Hardy with Michael Caine , Mia Sara and Patrick Dempsey ; and another Television film (1997) directed by Michael Anderson with Ben Cross and Richard Crenna ; furthermore a cartoon movie directed by Arthur Rankin.