This is one of the earliest films I can remember seeing as a young child. I saw it in a theater when it was first released in 1961. In fact, the only part I remember from my first viewing, even after seeing it again as an adult, is the cool laser-like weapon shooting at the fleeing ships at the end. I loved that part when I was young. As a result, this film will always have sentimental value to me.
Therefore I still enjoy watching this film every few years. However, I am also simultaneously very disappointed in the special effects and moderately disappointed in the story. Atlantis, of course, is a classic story, which is why Disney chose it for an animated movie, so it's very much a shame that such a classic story wasn't given better treatment than this.
The worst effect is probably the laser-like weapon, where the beam is shown as a fake-looking superimposed red streak of color leading to and surrounding the target each time it fires, usually followed by an out-of-position scene of the destroyed target. The ray's effect isn't even consistent. In one case it melts an urn, in another case it blows up a fishing boat, and in another case it turns a man into a skeleton. So is it is heat ray, a coherent light ray, an anti-matter beam, or what? The half-man half-animal effects were also weak, with obvious masks. And the lava flow just looks like muddy red water, which it probably is. Also, the hypnotism scene was unconvincing and scientifically unsound.
Some of the effects are very good, however. I love the scene where the submarine surfaces in the background behind Demetrios and Antillia while they are chatting, oblivious to the sub as it spots them, circles back, and begins following them. The laser demonstration that melts a small urn was likewise very well done. The priest's wisdom about the effects of decadence, isolationism, warmongering, the good vs. bad sides of technology, and ignoring nature's warning signs will always be applicable, and this gives some nice depth to the plot.
For my taste there is a little too much focus on the cruel, sordid side of Atlantis instead of on the beautiful side that has always fired people's imaginations. They could have shown inspiring views of classical architecture, treasure rooms, exotic pets like peacocks or giraffes, hot air balloons, master artists and musicians, clever modern conveniences, and more, but instead they emphasized gladiator battles, audience drunkenness, whipped slaves, a pig, a vicious wildcat, and the turning of men into half-beasts. These depressing scenes, on top of Antillia's despicable personality, are then followed by horrific scenes of Atlantis' cataclysmic destruction. Obviously you're not going to come away from this movie feeling inspired with beautiful imagery in your head, so that aspect is a significant drawback to the film as a whole.
This is a movie fully deserving of a modern remake, but there's no hurry. Atlantis is a classic theme that won't get old no matter how many remakes are done about it, and no matter when they're made.
Therefore I still enjoy watching this film every few years. However, I am also simultaneously very disappointed in the special effects and moderately disappointed in the story. Atlantis, of course, is a classic story, which is why Disney chose it for an animated movie, so it's very much a shame that such a classic story wasn't given better treatment than this.
The worst effect is probably the laser-like weapon, where the beam is shown as a fake-looking superimposed red streak of color leading to and surrounding the target each time it fires, usually followed by an out-of-position scene of the destroyed target. The ray's effect isn't even consistent. In one case it melts an urn, in another case it blows up a fishing boat, and in another case it turns a man into a skeleton. So is it is heat ray, a coherent light ray, an anti-matter beam, or what? The half-man half-animal effects were also weak, with obvious masks. And the lava flow just looks like muddy red water, which it probably is. Also, the hypnotism scene was unconvincing and scientifically unsound.
Some of the effects are very good, however. I love the scene where the submarine surfaces in the background behind Demetrios and Antillia while they are chatting, oblivious to the sub as it spots them, circles back, and begins following them. The laser demonstration that melts a small urn was likewise very well done. The priest's wisdom about the effects of decadence, isolationism, warmongering, the good vs. bad sides of technology, and ignoring nature's warning signs will always be applicable, and this gives some nice depth to the plot.
For my taste there is a little too much focus on the cruel, sordid side of Atlantis instead of on the beautiful side that has always fired people's imaginations. They could have shown inspiring views of classical architecture, treasure rooms, exotic pets like peacocks or giraffes, hot air balloons, master artists and musicians, clever modern conveniences, and more, but instead they emphasized gladiator battles, audience drunkenness, whipped slaves, a pig, a vicious wildcat, and the turning of men into half-beasts. These depressing scenes, on top of Antillia's despicable personality, are then followed by horrific scenes of Atlantis' cataclysmic destruction. Obviously you're not going to come away from this movie feeling inspired with beautiful imagery in your head, so that aspect is a significant drawback to the film as a whole.
This is a movie fully deserving of a modern remake, but there's no hurry. Atlantis is a classic theme that won't get old no matter how many remakes are done about it, and no matter when they're made.