WARLORDS OF ATLANTIS

UK, 1978, 96 minutes, Colour.
Doug Mc Clure, Peter Gilmore, Shane Rimmer, Cyd Charisse, Daniel Massey.
Directed by Kevin Connor.

War Lords of Atlantis is the fourth in a series of science fantasy adventure films produced by John Dark and directed by Kevin Connor. Doug Mc Clure has been the star of each of them. The first was 'The Land that Time Forgot', based on material by Edgar Rice Burroughs. It presented the exploration of a strange land in a period netting. Trick photography and special effects were to the fore with the strange animals of this land.

There was a sequel and the rescuing of the hero of the original with 'The People that Time Forgot’. The best of the four is a very entertaining exploration of the centre of the earth, 'At the Earth's Core'. One of the strengths of this film in the performance of Peter Cushing. There is a repetition of the stories in the other films - and also a presentation of the monsters but the tongue-in-cheek irony in stronger in this film. Something of this remains in 'War Lords of Atlantis’. This is, quick paced and colourful and has guest appearances from Cyd Charisse and Daniel Massey. The monsters are again very effective. All in all a very entertaining and popular science fantasy series.

1. A quality action fantasy? Its appeal, to what audience? Content style?

2. The atmosphere of Jules Verne and 19th century exploration and the fantastic? The appeal of fantasy and its qualities? Science and the development of science and scicace fiction? The theme of ancient civilizations, civilization under the sea? The parallel of Atlantis civilization with human earth development? The background of monsters and dangers? The old background of mythologies and their translation into popular entertainments like this?

3. How impressive were the technical aspects of the film? Trick photography, the presentation of the monsters? The re-creation of the 19th century period atmosphere? Underwater photography, the sea? The presentation of Atlantis, studios sets, decor? The editing and the excitement and shock and suspense values?

4. The long tradition of the myths of Atlantis? Why a civilization and a city under the sea? The old Greek tradition? An alternate civilization? The variations in this film on old Atlantis myths the various cities, the civilizations, the Bermuda Triangle and the disappearance of ships for example the Marie Celeste? The human captives and their being transformed into submissive creatures with their gill breathing? The civilization bent on its own propagation and survival, its return to its origins? The importance of mind control? The vision of the future and the indication that Atlantis was to control the 20th century especially with Its wars, fascism and Nazism, Hitler, bombs? The eeriness of such prophesy in this kind of science fiction? The film's strong stance on the freedom in the 20th century and the stance against fascism? The importance of the credits sequence and the origins of Atlantis falling from space into the sea? Its later use as a vision for Charles to persuade him to stay?

5. The presentation of the expedition. the introduction to the various personnel? Greg and his American background, friendship with Sandy? Charles and his English tone, relationship with his father? The professor and his arrogance and control? Their plans to discover Atlantis? The presentation of Captain Daniels and his criticism? Grogan and the other crew and the background for tensions? The setting up of an atmosphere of mystery? The technology and the diving equipment?

6. The transition to underwater exploration, the sudden presentation of the monsters and the fight for survival, the discovery of the statue and raising it? The introduction of themes of greed, the cutting of the cable, the attempted murder of the professor - and the mystery of who did it? Gold and its fascination for greedy men? The irony of the monstrous octopus and its sweeping everybody overboard?

7. Atlantis and villains and heroes surviving? The tension of the underwater voyage into Atlantis? The introduction of the man from Atlantis who acted as guide? His impersonal personality dress, appearance, speech? Guiding them through the path of the monsters? Imprisoning them? His work as messenger and his final confrontation of them before they escaped?

8. The presentation of the human prisoners, the story of the Marie Celeste, the slightly ironic touches in the presentation of these stories of disappearances? The prison sequences? The heroine and her advice, her father? The importance of the humans for fighting the monsters - and the analogies with the sieges of castles and the defence of the battlements? The human deaths?

9. The contrast with Atlantis civilization and the cultivated cities? Technology mind control communication? The choice of Charles to be part of this civilization? His being guided by the woman and her place in the civilization? Her explanation of the past, her luring him to stay? The introduction to the leader and his speech and the presentation of the vision of Atlantis? The personalities of the people of Atlantis, persuasive, authoritarian? Charles and his almost succumbing to the temptation?

10. The escape from the prison, the heroine and her guidance, the action heroics of the rescue of Charles, the escape through the sewers, the by-passing of the siege, the various monsters encountered on the way back especially the flying monsters, the confrontation with the Atlantis guide and the warriors and the battle with the warriors, the shooting with the overtones of the Western? The explosions and the diving and escaping? Good action material, audience identification?

11. The revelation that the professor was alive, Sandy's suspicions. Daniel's revealing the truth? The siege and the baddies wanting the gold?

12. The octopus and his rescuing the statue, destroying the captain? The destruction of the ship ? and the irony of the lifeboat escape with Grogan and his companion paddling?

13. Boys' Own adventure type of entertainment, well paced? Audience delight in this kind of action fantasy and the value of the stirring of the imagination?