28 reviews
"I'm surrounded by a bunch of panicking idiots." Dated sci-fi adventure.
- poolandrews
- Jul 18, 2007
- Permalink
Run-of-the-mill and routine telefilm made by the king of disaster movies : Irwin Allen
Set in 21 st century where a group of colonists live at an underwarter city called Pacifica under command of Admiral Matthews : Stuart Whitman , formerly it was an underwater scientist installation become a location inhabitable . The commander : Stuart Whitman is assigned by USA President : Richard Bashart to custody gold bars from Fort Knox as well as a powerful new radiaoactive stuff and some nuclear missiles. But then things go wrong when an asteroid heads towards Earth , threatening an imminent and total destruction . Theirs was the most dangerous mission in history ...to save the World from total destruction!
Irwin Allen typical movie with usual elements as fantastic submarines , World conflicts , catastrophes and spectacular intrigue . It results to be a pilot episode of a series set in 2053 and that didn't follow due to no much success of this telefilm. This time dealing with the attempt to rob the Fort Knox treasure custodied in a city beneath the sea named Pacifica and to eliminate the World threat of a meteor heading for Earth to destroy it . City beneath the sea 1971 benefits itself of a fine cast but is marred by taking stock-shots , flying subs , scale models , atrezzo and several props from the earlier shows , with stock-footage from Irwin Allen films and TV series , especially from Voyage to the bottom of the Sea and Lost in space . Here stands out a good main and support cast , some of them Irwin Allen's regular and with plenty of familiar faces , such as : Rosemary Forsyth , Burt DeBenning , Richard Basehart , Robert Wagner , James Darren , Whit Bissell, Paul Stewart , Charles Dierkop, Tom Drake ,and special guest star for Robert Wagner among others .
The motion picture was professional but regularly directed by Irwin Allen in his usual style . This great producer/writer/director made a number of successful TV series and movies and considered to be the original father of the disaster genre . As Irwin made the following ones : "Poseídon", "Beyond the Poseídon" , "Five Weeks in baloon" , "Voyage to the bottom of the sea" , "Towering Inferno" and his main flops : "The Swarm" and "When time ran out" . And outstanding with his popular TV series as "Land of Giants" , "Lost in space" , "Voyage to the bottom of the Sea" , and "The Time Tunnel" , the latter starred by James Darren , Robert Colbert and Whit Bissell who also performed thus City beneath the sea 1971 .
Irwin Allen typical movie with usual elements as fantastic submarines , World conflicts , catastrophes and spectacular intrigue . It results to be a pilot episode of a series set in 2053 and that didn't follow due to no much success of this telefilm. This time dealing with the attempt to rob the Fort Knox treasure custodied in a city beneath the sea named Pacifica and to eliminate the World threat of a meteor heading for Earth to destroy it . City beneath the sea 1971 benefits itself of a fine cast but is marred by taking stock-shots , flying subs , scale models , atrezzo and several props from the earlier shows , with stock-footage from Irwin Allen films and TV series , especially from Voyage to the bottom of the Sea and Lost in space . Here stands out a good main and support cast , some of them Irwin Allen's regular and with plenty of familiar faces , such as : Rosemary Forsyth , Burt DeBenning , Richard Basehart , Robert Wagner , James Darren , Whit Bissell, Paul Stewart , Charles Dierkop, Tom Drake ,and special guest star for Robert Wagner among others .
The motion picture was professional but regularly directed by Irwin Allen in his usual style . This great producer/writer/director made a number of successful TV series and movies and considered to be the original father of the disaster genre . As Irwin made the following ones : "Poseídon", "Beyond the Poseídon" , "Five Weeks in baloon" , "Voyage to the bottom of the sea" , "Towering Inferno" and his main flops : "The Swarm" and "When time ran out" . And outstanding with his popular TV series as "Land of Giants" , "Lost in space" , "Voyage to the bottom of the Sea" , and "The Time Tunnel" , the latter starred by James Darren , Robert Colbert and Whit Bissell who also performed thus City beneath the sea 1971 .
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Revisted
The wannabe that could have been a pioneer.
Why that dramatic remark! Simply because "City Beneath the Sea" was the only scifi movie/series pilot like it ever really developed for television. Everyone else was exploring the final frontier of space. The space age was booming, Skylab and the Shuttle right around the corner, why think about the future one could build underwater? Who would go for that? Irwin Allen did, and unfortunately no one really gave a damn because with the effort (pre-conception reel, all star cast etc.) lavsihed on "City Beneath the Sea", it deserved more attention than it got. I won't waste time giving a synopsis, others have done so very well with that, and yes I do realize how dated this movie is but I would love to have seen the continual adventures of the 21st century underwater city denizens, how their culture developed, their issues, and the intrigue. The 80's and 90's gave us horrid movies like "Deep Star Six", "Leviathan" and the schitzophrenic but likeable "Seaquest DSV" for underwater thrills when all we really needed was a fertile and stable base to work with, like Pacifica "the" City Beneath the Sea.
Pure hokum
Disaster maestro Irwin Allen is the old hand behind CITY BENEATH THE SEA, a TV movie that happily recycles many of the props, sets and scenarios from Allen's various TV productions. It's a slight tale, starring Stuart Whitman as a man who travels to the bottom of the sea where he must protect an underwater kingdom from robbers and an incoming asteroid.
This is pure hokum, of course, but not without charm. The late '60s-era special effects have to be seen to be believed, they're that cheesy, but the film as a whole isn't bad. Allen ropes in many old faces for cameo appearances, including the likes of Whit Bissell and Joseph Cotten, and he can't resist incorporating some 'doomsday' disaster scenarios into the storyline. Add in the requisite fist fights and underwater diving shots and you have an incredibly dated but nonetheless fun little TV movie.
This is pure hokum, of course, but not without charm. The late '60s-era special effects have to be seen to be believed, they're that cheesy, but the film as a whole isn't bad. Allen ropes in many old faces for cameo appearances, including the likes of Whit Bissell and Joseph Cotten, and he can't resist incorporating some 'doomsday' disaster scenarios into the storyline. Add in the requisite fist fights and underwater diving shots and you have an incredibly dated but nonetheless fun little TV movie.
- Leofwine_draca
- Apr 4, 2015
- Permalink
Wrong Version Available On Prime Video
This version listed is the 1971 CREDITS & POSTER of the Irwin Allen film that stars Robert Wagner. The actual movie Prime Video & Pluto Tv is showing On Demand is the 1953 version starring Anthony Quinn.
The whole plot is water logged.
- mark.waltz
- Nov 17, 2021
- Permalink
Welcome to Pacifica
- chris_gaskin123
- May 10, 2006
- Permalink
One Pilot That Deserved To Crash
Interesting to see that a lot of people liked this when they were kids . I first saw it one Saturday night in the late 1970s and actually liked it . After a gap of over 25 years I saw it again this afternoon and thought it absolutely sucked
The very first scene features a special effect that wouldn't have been allowed on the very worst episode of DOCTOR WHO . Then we're shown our hero Adm Michael Matthews being introduced along with his bevy of bimbo office babes . I sure did appricated that in the mid 21st century all woman must wear mini dresses but I'm not sure Adm Matthews does . I mean this guy is a bit gay isn't he ? Watch as he prances down steps and tries to be all mean and moody in a white jump suit . Hello sailor
The production values are grim . There only seems to be three sets : the control room , the gold vault and a swimming tank with much of the action taking place via monitor screens . This is where CITY BENEATH THE SEA fails . It's a pilot about a city beneath the sea right ? So the producers have already exausted two plots from a totally limited concept . Mincing Matthews has to act fast ( And if you see any acting in this please let me know what scene it appeared in ) to stop some bad guys carrying out a theft and a meteor crashing in the city . I'm surprised it got beyond script stage to be honest
The very first scene features a special effect that wouldn't have been allowed on the very worst episode of DOCTOR WHO . Then we're shown our hero Adm Michael Matthews being introduced along with his bevy of bimbo office babes . I sure did appricated that in the mid 21st century all woman must wear mini dresses but I'm not sure Adm Matthews does . I mean this guy is a bit gay isn't he ? Watch as he prances down steps and tries to be all mean and moody in a white jump suit . Hello sailor
The production values are grim . There only seems to be three sets : the control room , the gold vault and a swimming tank with much of the action taking place via monitor screens . This is where CITY BENEATH THE SEA fails . It's a pilot about a city beneath the sea right ? So the producers have already exausted two plots from a totally limited concept . Mincing Matthews has to act fast ( And if you see any acting in this please let me know what scene it appeared in ) to stop some bad guys carrying out a theft and a meteor crashing in the city . I'm surprised it got beyond script stage to be honest
- Theo Robertson
- Sep 12, 2004
- Permalink
comic book style plot, but well done
This is an action movie done relatively comic book style, in which the characters more or less are larger than life. We have presidents, captains, grand evil personages, etc.
There are some major stars, noted actors. And they are well cast. The plot is more or less about a city beneath the sea. But it is more about two brothers, one good, one bad. Robert Wagner has done this before, with Spencer Tracy. Now he is the evil younger brother of Stuart Whitman. He makes a very good show.
This is an exciting piece, not to be taken very seriously. It is well done.
There are some major stars, noted actors. And they are well cast. The plot is more or less about a city beneath the sea. But it is more about two brothers, one good, one bad. Robert Wagner has done this before, with Spencer Tracy. Now he is the evil younger brother of Stuart Whitman. He makes a very good show.
This is an exciting piece, not to be taken very seriously. It is well done.
Typical Irwin Allen schlock
Irwin Allen recycled a LOT of stuff to make this movie, which was most likely a pilot. Both main actors from Time Tunnel are in it. The Flying Sub from Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea makes an appearance, and in fact the disaster plot is a lot like Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.
While there is an attractive cast headed by such people as Stuart Whitman and Robert Wagner, with small roles for Joseph Cotton and Richard Basehart (another Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea retread LOL), the science is so ludicrous that you might get a headache from shaking your head.
Yes, it was cool when we were kids, but it was actually simply ridiculous.
While there is an attractive cast headed by such people as Stuart Whitman and Robert Wagner, with small roles for Joseph Cotton and Richard Basehart (another Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea retread LOL), the science is so ludicrous that you might get a headache from shaking your head.
Yes, it was cool when we were kids, but it was actually simply ridiculous.
- VetteRanger
- Mar 26, 2023
- Permalink
I loved it as a kid...
This movie came out when I was twelve years old. Although the effects are now cheesy compared to modern technology, at the time I loved it; it was perfect for a 12 year old. I remember at school the next day everyone saying how cool the movie was. It was perfect after having previously experiencing Lost in Space, Time Tunnel, Land of the Giants, etc... Irwin Allen knew how to entertain kids of that era.
For the Irwin Allen Completist
great review + personal request
This is a TRUE Irwin Allen classic!! a underwater city that can fight off hazards from outer space, handle dangerous unstable nuclear material, store all the gold from Fort Knox, and has a man who can breathe, and talk underwater, who helps deal with sabotage, and a major gold theft!! WOW!!!!,but WOW!!!! Stuart Whitman makes a great city leader!!, Robert Colbert[Doug Philips of TIME TUNNEL fame] makes wonderful second in command!!, Richard Basehart[ADM Nelson of Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea] as President[I would have voted him for the OVAL OFFICE!!], and Robert Wagner was a absolutely great villain!! I even liked the props especially the FLYING SUB[from Voyage To The Bottom Of The SEA]!! Yes Mr. Allen outdid himself on this one!! I am sorry that this movie did not become a series, either as a T.V. series or a movie series, either one would have been THE greatest series of all time!!! However I do feel that this movie should be released for DVD video because I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A COPY OF MY OWN THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- fivefifty1
- Dec 10, 2004
- Permalink
Irwin Allen's Transition From TV Sci-Fi To Big Screen Disaster
One can readily concede that the 1971 Irwin Allen-directed made-for-TV sci-fi film CITY BENEATH THE SEA is dated in a lot of ways: acting (overripe at times); plot (old-fashioned); special effects (extremely dated, especially if one thinks of special effects only in terms of CGI). And yet there is still a fair bit to recommend about this TV endeavor, which can be seen as the bridge between Allen's own TV series "Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea" (which ran from 1964 to 1968), and the pair of big-budget disaster films (THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE; THE TOWERING INFERNO) he would produce in just a few short years that would make him Hollywood's "Master Of Disaster", for better or worse.
The basic plot, set in the year 2053, involves a vast underwater city named Pacifica, watched over by a veteran admiral (Stuart Whitman). Whitman is then charged by the President (Richard Basehart, returning from "Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea") to take care of a large gold supply (which is about to be stolen by his underhanded brother, played by Robert Wagner), and a supply of the highly explosive H1-28. To add to his responsibilities, in a turn that predates films like METEOR, NIGHT OF THE COMET, Armageddon, and DEEP IMPACT, a planetoid of considerable size is on a collision course with Earth, and Pacifica specifically.
All of the aforementioned is, by our 21st century standards, ridiculously old-fashioned, even in comparison to what we'd get from Allen in his disaster films. But in the ensuing years and decades, as the special effects have gotten more and more spectacular, and the films have gotten more and more expensive, reaching ridiculous budgets of $250 million at times now, are the plots really any better than something as "cheesy" as an Irwin Allen TV pilot like this? Having seen this a number of times on TV as a re-run, I'd have to say "Not necessarily." There's no question that CITY BENEATH THE SEA is predictable to a large degree, but the same can be said for most everything being made today for the big screen, whether in IMAX or 3-D. It still works all the same, if one is willing to accept it as a relic of its time.
This is why I'm giving CITY BENEATH THE SEA a 7 out of 10.
The basic plot, set in the year 2053, involves a vast underwater city named Pacifica, watched over by a veteran admiral (Stuart Whitman). Whitman is then charged by the President (Richard Basehart, returning from "Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea") to take care of a large gold supply (which is about to be stolen by his underhanded brother, played by Robert Wagner), and a supply of the highly explosive H1-28. To add to his responsibilities, in a turn that predates films like METEOR, NIGHT OF THE COMET, Armageddon, and DEEP IMPACT, a planetoid of considerable size is on a collision course with Earth, and Pacifica specifically.
All of the aforementioned is, by our 21st century standards, ridiculously old-fashioned, even in comparison to what we'd get from Allen in his disaster films. But in the ensuing years and decades, as the special effects have gotten more and more spectacular, and the films have gotten more and more expensive, reaching ridiculous budgets of $250 million at times now, are the plots really any better than something as "cheesy" as an Irwin Allen TV pilot like this? Having seen this a number of times on TV as a re-run, I'd have to say "Not necessarily." There's no question that CITY BENEATH THE SEA is predictable to a large degree, but the same can be said for most everything being made today for the big screen, whether in IMAX or 3-D. It still works all the same, if one is willing to accept it as a relic of its time.
This is why I'm giving CITY BENEATH THE SEA a 7 out of 10.
Susana Miranda is worth the watch
Between his b-science-fiction series and a-list disaster films, Irwin Allen combined both in a TV-Movie that plays out like a hopeful series pilot, CITY BENEATH THE SEA stars Stuart Whitman who, halfway through the 21st Century, is called back into the Modern-Atlantis underwater world he once ran...
Feeling more like a sequel to a previous installment since so many plates are dangling, including a beloved employee who'd been killed, blamed on Whitman by sulky ingenue Rosemary Forsyth...
Completely overshadowed by insanely-gorgeous secretary Susana Miranda alongside a fish-man diver and the token bad guy in Robert Wagner, out to rob Fort Knox's gold, placed within the city...
Coinciding with this heist-plot looms the disaster since an asteroid's about to hit the ocean, which would destroy everything...
Making BENEATH a kind of science-fiction waiting game where the characters stand around, stressed out, staring at monitors, waiting for an outcome a lot like the upcoming STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE also in that Whitman replaces the city's disgruntled leader in an underused Robert Colbert, demoted to his silent second...
With familiar faces ranging from Richard Basehart (The President) to Paul Stewart to Joseph Cotten to Sugar Ray Robinson, who all come and go within the neat-looking futuristic sets inside with sporadic pockets of random action outside (mostly repeated establishing shots) that, while the story's too busy and contrived, effectively brings the viewer to another world... which was obviously Irwin Allen's intention.
Feeling more like a sequel to a previous installment since so many plates are dangling, including a beloved employee who'd been killed, blamed on Whitman by sulky ingenue Rosemary Forsyth...
Completely overshadowed by insanely-gorgeous secretary Susana Miranda alongside a fish-man diver and the token bad guy in Robert Wagner, out to rob Fort Knox's gold, placed within the city...
Coinciding with this heist-plot looms the disaster since an asteroid's about to hit the ocean, which would destroy everything...
Making BENEATH a kind of science-fiction waiting game where the characters stand around, stressed out, staring at monitors, waiting for an outcome a lot like the upcoming STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE also in that Whitman replaces the city's disgruntled leader in an underused Robert Colbert, demoted to his silent second...
With familiar faces ranging from Richard Basehart (The President) to Paul Stewart to Joseph Cotten to Sugar Ray Robinson, who all come and go within the neat-looking futuristic sets inside with sporadic pockets of random action outside (mostly repeated establishing shots) that, while the story's too busy and contrived, effectively brings the viewer to another world... which was obviously Irwin Allen's intention.
- TheFearmakers
- Mar 17, 2022
- Permalink
Special effects winner
When I first saw this film in 1971 on KING-TV in Seattle as a kid, I had no idea it had won an Emmy for best special effects or that the screenplay had been written by Star Trek producer John Meredyth Lucas.
All I knew was that it was a wonderfully clean and futuristic looking film, with lots of action and exciting situations. For fans of Irwin Allen's previous TV shows, it's a treasure house of familiar faces and reused props. James Darren, Robert Colbert and Whit Bissell are here from "Time Tunnel," as is Richard Basehart and Robert Dowdell from "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea." The glowing red planetoid, which still looks fantastic as it approaches the Earth, had previously been a glowing GREEN planetoid used for "Land of the Giants". Even the main title music for this film is background music from "Land of the Giants". The opening shots of the flying sub (stock footage from Voyage) is straight from the negative, and looks incredible. The film also boosts many new effects as well and impressive sets. It would have been a great TV series, something more ambitious for the early 1970s than "Invisible Man" or "Six Million Dollar Man". A fun ride.
All I knew was that it was a wonderfully clean and futuristic looking film, with lots of action and exciting situations. For fans of Irwin Allen's previous TV shows, it's a treasure house of familiar faces and reused props. James Darren, Robert Colbert and Whit Bissell are here from "Time Tunnel," as is Richard Basehart and Robert Dowdell from "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea." The glowing red planetoid, which still looks fantastic as it approaches the Earth, had previously been a glowing GREEN planetoid used for "Land of the Giants". Even the main title music for this film is background music from "Land of the Giants". The opening shots of the flying sub (stock footage from Voyage) is straight from the negative, and looks incredible. The film also boosts many new effects as well and impressive sets. It would have been a great TV series, something more ambitious for the early 1970s than "Invisible Man" or "Six Million Dollar Man". A fun ride.
Irwin Allen series recycling extravaganza
This is Irwin Allen at his Irwin Allen-est. This whole show while entertaining is a recycling of a failed pilot and a bevy of canceled sci-fi series.
The failed pilot starred Glen Corbett and Lloyd Bochner. This was made in 1967. The TV movie came out in 1971.
The first thing you notice in the movie is the Flying Sub from "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea". The next thing is Robert Colbert from "The Time Tunnel". Looking closely at Pacifica, this city beneath the sea, you will see the Jupiter II from "Lost in Space" as a dome sitting on top of a tower. The submarine "Seaview" is seen prowling the depths of the underwater streets of the city. Later we see Richard Basehart as the President of the US (VTBOS), Whit Bissel (TT) and Jame Darren as a scientist(TT). And the props -- computers, laser guns, radios, video telephones -- all recycled from his series from the '60s. The sound effects are familiar ones. The costumes are too.
Some throw away cameos were added -- boxer Sugar Ray Robinson and veteran actor Joseph Cotten (he was in "Citizen Kane" for god's sake). Even Edward G. Robinson's son is added for good measure.
The plot is cross between "Armageddon" (an asteroid is headed toward impact on the earth) and "Ocean's 11" (a heist of the vault containing the US's Fort Knox gold reserve and the "highly fissionable H128"). It is fairly pedestrian. The fun in this movie is seeing all of Irwin's old shows being brought back in some form. Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, Time Tunnel, and Land of the Giants were all canceled by the time this movie came out. Watch this one if you can find it.
The failed pilot starred Glen Corbett and Lloyd Bochner. This was made in 1967. The TV movie came out in 1971.
The first thing you notice in the movie is the Flying Sub from "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea". The next thing is Robert Colbert from "The Time Tunnel". Looking closely at Pacifica, this city beneath the sea, you will see the Jupiter II from "Lost in Space" as a dome sitting on top of a tower. The submarine "Seaview" is seen prowling the depths of the underwater streets of the city. Later we see Richard Basehart as the President of the US (VTBOS), Whit Bissel (TT) and Jame Darren as a scientist(TT). And the props -- computers, laser guns, radios, video telephones -- all recycled from his series from the '60s. The sound effects are familiar ones. The costumes are too.
Some throw away cameos were added -- boxer Sugar Ray Robinson and veteran actor Joseph Cotten (he was in "Citizen Kane" for god's sake). Even Edward G. Robinson's son is added for good measure.
The plot is cross between "Armageddon" (an asteroid is headed toward impact on the earth) and "Ocean's 11" (a heist of the vault containing the US's Fort Knox gold reserve and the "highly fissionable H128"). It is fairly pedestrian. The fun in this movie is seeing all of Irwin's old shows being brought back in some form. Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, Time Tunnel, and Land of the Giants were all canceled by the time this movie came out. Watch this one if you can find it.
One Of My Very Favourite Movies Ever!
About a fantastic city beneath the sea.
Everything about this film, the effects, the sets, the casting, the actors, are all fine, but with the one tiny problem area of Robert Colbert and the terrible lines he has and the terrible acting he gives.
An early character building scene in this film has Colbert respond to Stu Whitman by saying "that's right we all take orders ... just like Bill Holmes did". It sounded terrible!
But having said that. This is pure Irwin Allen showmanship of the best kind. As others have pointed out, Richard Basehart and the flying sub make this feel like an up-dated Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and who could blame Irwin for wanting to bring back Voyage?
But non-Voyage things such as Stu Whitman and Robert Wagner (Beneath The 12 Mile Reef and The Towering Inferno) make this great entertainment. Also the Richard LaSalle score and big sets with blinking light Time Tunnel computers. I have actually made about 30 viewings of this film over the years.
One of my very favourite movies ever (despite Robert Colbert).
Everything about this film, the effects, the sets, the casting, the actors, are all fine, but with the one tiny problem area of Robert Colbert and the terrible lines he has and the terrible acting he gives.
An early character building scene in this film has Colbert respond to Stu Whitman by saying "that's right we all take orders ... just like Bill Holmes did". It sounded terrible!
But having said that. This is pure Irwin Allen showmanship of the best kind. As others have pointed out, Richard Basehart and the flying sub make this feel like an up-dated Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and who could blame Irwin for wanting to bring back Voyage?
But non-Voyage things such as Stu Whitman and Robert Wagner (Beneath The 12 Mile Reef and The Towering Inferno) make this great entertainment. Also the Richard LaSalle score and big sets with blinking light Time Tunnel computers. I have actually made about 30 viewings of this film over the years.
One of my very favourite movies ever (despite Robert Colbert).
Good movie if you enjoy work by Irwin Allen
As a kid I had this movie on Viewmaster in 1972, on 3 reels I really liked it then. Never had it on VHS, but was glad I waited to get it on DVD. Which finally I did. I enjoyed movie when it came out, enjoyed the cast, especially Robert Wagner, Rosemary Forsythe, and Robert Colbert, I really like all the people that were used as guest stars. And I enjoyed the city and that they used the flying sub from "Voyage to the bottom of the sea", in the movie. I liked the sets, the costumes were excellent, the US Navy really should consider naval uniforms like the costume department used in the movie, the music supplied as very good, I certainly wish this had become a Television show, at the time it aired on broadcast I thought it was a Pilot for an upcoming TV show, sadly that never happened.
Interesting, fun movie - the good guys win!
I saw this movie in the early 1970s and it was a great matinee entertainer. Lots of action, thrills and spills. Neat sets (for the time) and a strong lead (Stuart Whitman) with good supporting characters. Remember that this is essentially a bit of low-budget escapism, don't expect too much and you'll enjoy the ride. Great, harmless way to get youngsters interested in sci-fi - and a marvellous excuse for Dad's especially to relive their growing years as they watch along!
Great Movie. It should be released on DVD
Unfortunately City Beneath The Sea has not been aired as far as I know for several years. I scan listings regularly for it. Effects as I recall were way ahead of its time. Plot was terrific and acting was great. The original version is ripe for showing on TV again as well as a DVD release. And with re-makes being all the rage lately, this would be a good one to remake as well. This movie was listed in one of Blockbuster's annual movie guides, indicating that it was due for release, but it never happened. If it is ever aired again, don't miss it! If it is ever released on DVD, buy it! You will not be disappointed.
- starbuckk1
- Apr 15, 2005
- Permalink
One has to understand what it was like to be a child back then
Busted Pilot
This was one of the few flops that Irwin Allen had during his days in television. This film was supposed to be the latest of Allen's science fiction series. Unfortunately, it didn't work. However, it was a good premise. People moving to a city under the Pacific Ocean to not only do research, but to create a whole new society. It also was a nice little caper film due to the sub plot of the gold heist in the backdrop of the main story of the title city's impending doom from the onrushing planetoid. This truly was a lost gem of television. Too bad it never made it as a series.
Also, isn't it ironic that Richard Basehart is playing the president in this film? Of course, he played Admiral Nelson on Allen's biggest hit series, the similarly themed "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea".
Also, isn't it ironic that Richard Basehart is playing the president in this film? Of course, he played Admiral Nelson on Allen's biggest hit series, the similarly themed "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea".
super salad bowl movie: Yosei gorath meets James Bond meets UFO meets...