20000 Leagues Under The Sea (1954) Movie Script

I say there ain't no monster.
But we need men.
And just to treat you fair and square,
we're paying double wages and a bonus,
from Frisco to Shanghai and back,
all found.
All dead, you mean!
Don't sign with him, mates.
You can't buy off the monster
with double wages and a bonus.
You'll never get back to Frisco
to collect your pay.
I got a man here that sailed on
the Golden Arrow and lived to tell about it.
Come on, Billy.
Tell 'em what you saw.
It was the monster, all right.
A cable's length long from beak to tail.
And it came a-bellerin' out of the night,
with one big eye like a lighthouse.
We're stoved into starboard.
We're smashed to port.
And then it come up amidships.
And broke our backs and sunk us.
Forty poor sailor men drowned dead.
The point is,
this thing is a ship killer.
It's a miracle old Billy's alive today.
- Tell 'em about its teeth, Billy.
- As big as a mainsail, I swear.
And its breath...
Its breath was like a furnace.
You got a pretty strong breath yourself,
me easy-talkin' friend.
You mind answering a few questions?
I'm a harpooner by trade.
Monsters interest me. All kinds.
Keep away from him,
you noisy sea lawyer!
I just wanna smell his breath.
I can already smell yours.
Boiled down for his oil, lads,
there'd be free grog for all hands,
if you can swallow it on top
of his tall yarns...
There! There they are!
- Stop it!
- Come on, Casey.
This is no place
for a clergyman's son.
Hey, Minnie!
Hey, Daisy, come on!
Let's shove off!
Hey, what are you guys doing to me?
Don't bother unloading.
Sailing's been cancelled.
Cancelled again?
This is ridiculous. We'll see about this.
- Driver, you wait here.
- Yes, sir.
Is it true
about the sailing being cancelled?
Unfortunately, yes, Professor Arronax.
The crew deserted this morning.
We just have to get to Saigon.
Isn't there some other ship?
Not a thing. I'm sorry. Next.
Halfway around the world from Paris,
and now this happens.
There's nothing we can do about it.
Except pack and unpack. That's all
I've been doing now for a month.
Professor.
At any rate, San Francisco will have
the honour of your company a while longer.
I'm from the Bulletin. These gentlemen
are from the Globe and the Post.
How do you do?
We're interested in your opinion
of this monster.
My opinion. Frankly, it's rather
low at the moment.
But, actually, gentlemen, I don't know
any more about it than you do.
Oh, Professor. Just a moment.
Yes?
Professor, what does the National
Museum in Paris think about it?
I cannot answer that.
We heard this expedition of yours
was to gather facts about the monster.
I'm afraid you were misinformed.
My reasons for going to the Orient
are purely scientific,
if I ever get there.
Professor, doesn't the giant narwhal
reach a length of 80 feet?
Why don't you ask a fish?
If we could go deep enough,
we'd all be surprised
at the creatures down there.
Could such a creature
destroy a ship or drag it under?
Well, it might
if it were big enough.
Don't you print that.
Please be careful, Professor.
Well, gentlemen,
I shall prepare a statement later.
You do not deny then that such
a monster could exist. Is that correct?
- I'm not denying anything.
- Are you sure?
- What are you drawing?
- A sketch of the monster.
Thank you, Professor.
- Good day.
- Good day, sir.
Now put the wings on it.
Look what they've done to me.
I made no such claims as this.
- Look at this drawing.
- I knew it.
"Living horrors of the deep
were described today
"by Professor Arronax
of the Paris National Museum."
Why, this is the most
far-fetched nonsense yet.
Far-fetched?
I think the proportions
are about right on the monster.
You're not serious, Professor.
I don't mean flying off
with a ship in its mouth.
But the general size...
Come to think of it,
it is a rather interesting conception.
Excuse me. Professor Arronax?
No more reporters.
You've done damage enough.
Professor's very busy now.
I'm not a reporter.
I represent the United States government.
United States government?
May I come in?
- May he come in?
- Of course, sir.
- Please do come in, Mr. Howard.
- Thank you.
I'll be brief, Professor.
I understand your destination is
the Orient, and you've been delayed.
What if we could get you there,
but by a roundabout route,
a cruise of three or four months
through the South Seas?
- Would you accept?
- I would be interested, yes, naturally.
Sit down.
Thank you.
I can see no reason
why you and your apprentice
shouldn't consider yourselves
guests of the U.S. Government
until we can set you ashore at Saigon.
May I ask why have you honoured
the professor this way?
The honour is ours.
As the foremost authority on the sea,
you can be an excellent observer.
Your observations will
influence public opinion.
We can either confirm
or deny certain rumours.
I knew it.
It concerns the monster.
- Is that true?
- Very much so.
According to the papers,
you seem to believe the rumours.
No. The professor's been
misquoted outrageously.
Yes, I'm afraid I was misquoted.
However, I have an open mind
on the subject.
All the better.
Your reports would be unbiased.
You see, other nations, besides ours,
are forming expeditions.
But I'd like to think
ours has the advantage,
if for no other reason than
you might consent to join us.
- That's very kind of you.
- We accept.
Good.
If you don't mind,
I'd like you to come downstairs
and meet Captain Farragut.
He's in command of the warship
upon which you're sailing.
I might add that he has
some rather strong ideas
on the subject of sea monsters.
- You mean that his mind is not open?
- Most emphatically not.
We headed south,
and excitement ran high.
Every man aboard was on the lookout,
and the watch was kept day and night.
Regardless of his own feelings
in the matter,
Captain Farragut left nothing to chance.
With traditional thoroughness,
the Navy plan was to cut the South Pacific
into squares and search each square.
For the first month, we steamed in circles,
crossing and recrossing our course.
There was no sign of our quarry.
False alarms were common,
and they didn't help our morale.
Blow!
Off the weather bow!
For endless days and nights,
we scoured the South Pacific.
Our hopes began to wane.
It came as no surprise...
when Captain Farragut
on the night of December 8, 1868,
summoned us to the war room.
Gentlemen, I believe my obligation
to this legend has been dispatched.
I offer these charts in evidence.
They represent an accurate record...
of three and a half months
cruising under steam...
in search of a sea monster.
In my considered opinion, no such monster
exists or ever did.
- Are you abandoning the search?
- There's no other choice, Professor.
If we've gained nothing else, we can
at least give the lie to those rumours
and make the newspapers
retract their exaggerations.
It doesn't seem to me we have proved
anything one way or the other, Captain.
I don't feel justified
in wasting further time.
My decision stands.
We'll set you ashore in Saigon.
Gentlemen.
Cheer up, Professor.
You'll forget all about fishing
when you see the gals in Saigon.
I thought they promised you a bonus
if you harpooned this monster, Mr Land.
Knowing full well I couldn't collect it.
When I get back, I'm shipping out
on the first whaler that'll take me.
I won't get rich, but I won't be sitting
around, picking my teeth with my harpoon.
Maybe we are lucky.
It might have sunk us.
You scare me.
Be a good loser, Professor. The fish
that got away is always the biggest one.
What a pity, Professor.
I know you had visions of that monster
mounted in the National Museum.
Got a whale of a tale to tell you, lads
A whale of a tale or two
'Bout the flapping fish
And the girls I've loved
On nights like this with the moon above
A whale of a tale, and it's all true
I swear by my tattoo
There was Mermaid Minnie
Met her down in Madagascar
She would kiss me
Anytime that I would ask her
Then one evenin'
Her flame of love blew out
Blow me down and pick me up
She swapped me for a trout
Got a whale of a tale to tell you, lads
A whale of a tale or two
'Bout the flappin' fish
And the girls I've loved
On nights like this with the moon above
A whale of a tale, and it's all true
I swear by my tattoo
There was Typhoon Tessie
Met her on the coast of Java
When we kissed
I bubbled up like molten lava
Then she gave me
The scare of my young life
Blow me down and pick me up
She was the captain's wife
Got a whale of a tale to tell you, lads
A whale of a tale or two
'Bout the flappin' fish
And the girls I've loved
On nights like this with the moon above
A whale of a tale, and it's all true
I swear by my tattoo
There was Harpoon Hannah
Had a face that made you shudder
Lips like fish hooks
And a nose just like a rudder
If I kissed her
And held her tenderly
Held her tenderly
There's no sea monster big enough
To ever frighten me
Got a whale of a tale to tell you, lads
A whale of a tale or two
'Bout the flappin' fish
And the girls I've loved
On nights like this with the moon above
A whale of a tale, and it's all true
I swear by my tattoo
Ahoy! Ship off the starboard bow!
Hard over! Head for that ship!
Boatswain's mate, pipe all
hands to rescue stations.
Aye aye, sir.
All hands to rescue stations!
I'm thinking she went down with all hands.
Poor devils.
Not a living soul left.
What could have caused
such an fearsome explosion?
Black powder and worse.
A whole shipload of the stuff.
What could have set it off, though?
She must have struck something.
Or could it be
that something struck the ship?
What do you mean something struck her?
- You meaning the monster, ain't ya, mate?
- Aye! It might be the monster.
Monster? I've seen more monsters
in my Aunt Gussie's fishbowl
than on this whole cruise.
- Sure, it's the monster!
- It is the monster!
Pipe down on deck!
I must insist, Professor,
that you keep
these fish stories to yourself.
On deck, floating object
off the larboard quarter.
There's the monster!
Drummer boy, beat to general quarters.
Set compressors and prime!
Look alive there!
Get your range and fire. What's the matter?
- She's showing us her heels, sir.
- Well, hit her in the heels. Fire!
Aye aye, sir. Rudder out smartly.
We hit her, sir! She's turning!
She's turning around!
Mr Land, into the longboat with you.
Stand by to lower away.
Professor! Hang on!
Hang on!
Hey, don't leave us! Help!
Help!
Help!
They are disabled. They cannot help.
But they must! Help!
Help!
Help!
Can you see anything, anything at all?
No. Wait till this fog lifts.
I'm getting numb all over.
Look, Professor.
There's something over there.
- What is it?
- I don't know. It looks like the monster.
I don't care what it is,
as long as it floats.
Who could have conceived
such a miracle? A submarine boat.
You mean a submerging boat?
This is incredible.
Men have dreamed about such miracles.
You know something?
I don't like this at all.
Ahoy! Is anyone aboard?
It... It seems deserted.
I think we are asking
for trouble, Professor.
Why don't we wait?
Maybe somebody will come up.
No. If we wait, this thing
is liable to sink under us.
It's quite able to, you know.
Hello.
Is anyone down there?
Why, it's as bright as day.
And it isn't oil or gas either.
- There is great genius behind all this.
- Yes, and great evil.
Don't forget this is
an engine of destruction.
Hello.
Hello.
Ahoy! Anybody there?
Ahoy, there! Is anybody aboard?
Did you hear that, Professor?
Somebody's calling from the outside.
- Come on.
- Wait.
Look at this.
Give me a hand with this line, mate.
- Grab this oar.
- Why, Ned, it's you.
- Anybody else get off?
- Yes, the professor is down below.
Well, he really got his monster, didn't he?
This ship seems deserted,
but I have a feeling not for too long.
Personally, I'm in no mood
to meet the owners.
I'm not anxious to get
in their company myself.
I'll take my chances in the open sea.
My sentiment exactly.
Let me call the professor.
Give me a hand first. Grab that oar.
We got to flop this over.
Hold it.
Big.
I've never seen a barge like this before.
Hey, this looks like the galley.
- Cook's day off, too.
- Let me call the professor.
Professor.
Professor.
Professor!
Can you hear me?
Professor.
Professor.
Professor.
Professor.
Professor, where are you?
Hello. I'm in here.
Where?
I didn't think
I'd ever see you again.
What is it?
Burial ceremony under the sea.
Ned Land is here with a boat.
- Yes. That tall one must be the leader.
- They'll be coming back any moment.
Get away!
Help!
Help!
- Search the boat.
- Aye, sir. Come with me.
Take him!
Sink that longboat.
Mind your shovin', mate.
You are from the warship
that attacked me, are you not?
We were under the impression
that this was a monster,
not a craft of human invention.
This is Ned Land, master harpooner.
My apprentice, Conseil,
and I am Pierre Aronnax
of the Paris National Museum.
Professor Aronnax.
I've heard of you
and studied your writings.
It is fortunate that
your background differs slightly
from that of your companions in crime.
You may remain.
Take the others on deck.
Wait a minute.
What are you gonna do with us on deck?
I did not invite you.
You came as an enemy to destroy me.
That is not true.
They've done no harm.
Don't blame us because
the warship shelled you.
- I demand a fair trial.
- You've had your trial.
The sea brought you.
The sea shall have you back.
Mind your shovin'! Easy, mate!
But you cannot do this.
This is not civilised.
I'm not what is called
a civilised man, Professor.
I have done with society
for reasons that seem good to me.
Therefore, I do not obey its laws.
But I am as guilty as they are.
I will grant you
that both of them and me, too,
enlisted to track down
what we thought to be a monster.
But we are no more guilty
than the rest of the world.
I would consider that guilty enough.
You have a great deal
to learn, Professor.
Your book is brilliant,
but it lacks scope.
You've carried your work as far
as terrestrial science permits.
The real story of the ocean depths
begins where you left off,
wonders that defy
my powers of description.
The secrets that are mine alone,
but which I would be
willing to share with you.
At the expense of my companions' lives?
I'm sorry. You'd have
to choose between them and me.
Then I cannot accept.
Professor, I regret your choice.
Take him up!
- And secure for sea.
- Aye, sir.
- All stations ready! Prepare for diving.
- Yes, sir.
All stations ready. Prepare for diving.
Ahead slow.
- What's he up to, Professor?
- I don't know.
Trim your forward ballast.
Three degrees down.
Three degrees down.
All engines stop! Surface and stand by.
- Pick up those two men in the water.
- What about the other one?
Take them all below
and confine them to quarters.
I found out what I wanted to know.
Esmie. There. There.
There. Now, kiss.
Now, off you go, Esmie.
Come in, gentlemen.
Be seated, please.
Thank you.
Professor.
You may serve them.
Your clothes are being dried
and will be returned to you shortly.
In the meantime, avail yourselves
of my humble hospitality.
Humble, he calls it.
- You do right well for yourself, mate.
- You may call me Captain Nemo.
I'd like to express our gratitude, Captain.
We are grateful to be alive.
I want none of your gratitude.
You're all on strict probation,
and I'd advise you not to attempt escape.
You understand your position?
I don't know.
A prisoner has the right to escape.
- That is correct.
- And a guest don't need to.
I guess that makes us
a little bit of both.
Consider that a fortunate
compromise then, Mr Land.
I tolerate no guests
aboard the Nautilus,
and you already know
the fate of prisoners.
The food is delicious,
isn't it, Professor?
Oh, very good. Never tasted better.
There's a fork on your left, Mr Land,
or aren't you accustomed to utensils?
I'm indifferent to 'em.
May I ask how you are able
to set such a table as this, Captain?
These dishes come entirely
from my ocean kitchen.
There is nothing here of the earth.
How remarkable. This tastes like veal.
The flavour deceives you.
That is fillet of sea snake.
I suppose this isn't lamb, then.
That is brisket of glow fish with
sea squirt dressing basted in barnacles.
It's very good.
In fact, it's better than lamb.
My cook excels in preparing
these various products.
You're not finished, are you?
Well, just the main course.
Pass the cream, mate.
The cream is, of course,
milk from the giant sperm whale.
And those delicious fruits are actually
preserves made from sea cucumbers.
Well, I'd never have guessed it.
They are excellent.
Eat your pudding, Mr Land.
I ain't sure it's puddin'.
What is it?
It's my own recipe,
saut of unborn octopus.
Nothing here's fit to eat!
Saut of unborn octopus.
Since we are nearing
the island of Crespo,
you'll have an opportunity
of selecting your own food.
You mean, we're getting off
this submarine?
For a brief hunting expedition.
- Well, that suits me fine.
- Me, too.
- When do we start, mate... Captain?
- Almost immediately.
These two will join the expedition.
Prepare them.
Aye, sir.
- Accept one of these cigars, Professor.
- Thank you.
Delightful smoke.
Different somehow. Havana?
Seaweed.
I cannot accuse you of
not making us comfortable, Captain.
In a way, though, I feel like a condemned
man who has eaten his last dinner,
and a very good one, too.
Thank you.
I am still curious as to the reason
you spared our lives.
In your case, I wanted to test
your loyalty to your companions.
I may have use
for such misplaced devotion.
Misplaced?
It comforts me to know that your life
was not too dear a price to pay
for the love of your fellow man.
I'm afraid I don't understand.
At the moment, I don't
intend that you should.
But I may have use for you.
Until I make up my mind,
you should find ample diversion here.
You have literature,
art treasures, my collections,
and even music, if you so desire.
We're almost at the island of Crespo.
All this was once an island.
Although it is now sunk,
it is nonetheless fertile.
- We do our hunting and farming here.
- Underwater?
The sea supplies all my wants.
Fine way to go huntin'.
I knew there'd be a catch to this.
Seems you can't do anything
on this boat without getting wet.
I feel like I'm keeping
a fish out of work.
Wait a minute.
Where you going with this?
What are you gonna do with that?
An expedition from the Nautilus.
The pair you see trying
to keep pace are your companions.
It's a new experience for them.
They'll learn quickly.
- Would you like to join them?
- Indeed, yes!
I would like to meet
these wonders face to face.
Very well.
I'll introduce them to you.
A strange twilight world
opened up before me
and I felt as the first man
to set foot on another planet,
an intruder in this mystic
garden of the deep.
Captain Nemo and I were not alone.
There were hunters and farmers
from the submarine,
gathering a harvest
at the bottom of the sea.
I could only marvel at his ingenuity
and envy him his rule over
this forgotten reach of nature.
He had an abundance
of various substances
necessary to sustain life.
An underwater larder
filled to overflowing,
and all Captain Nemo for the taking.
I can't believe that!
Captain, we left a treasure out there!
A chest of gold, silver and diamonds!
You were sent to get food, not treasure.
You can't eat pieces of eight.
I can eat anytime!
You place an absurd value on
the cheapest of human commodities.
Aboard the Nautilus, we use
such baubles for ballast.
Ballast?
Well, I could sure lighten this ship.
The greatest treasures of all, Mr Land,
lie in a sound mind and a full belly.
Henceforth, when you're sent for food,
don't stoop to pick up pennies.
You've been picking them up,
and picking them up good. Ballast!
- Ned, you forget yourself.
- Don't try my patience.
Rather than watch your every move, I know
a much easier solution to the problem.
Crying waste!
Ned, the professor wants to see you.
Yeah?
Close the door, please.
Don't think for a minute
that was an empty threat he made.
You are going to get us all killed
if you keep antagonising him.
Look at the trouble you got into
wandering off that way.
- Why did you do it?
- Ask him. He went with me.
That was scientific interest.
I had no idea he was after treasure.
Oh, no?
You even helped carry the chest out,
you liar.
We mustn't quarrel among ourselves.
We must stay together.
- It's our only chance.
- Chance? For what?
I know what you want, Professor.
This crazy iron skillet's turned your head.
You want to play a waiting game,
hoping to learn Nemo's secrets.
I believe we owe the world
that much, Ned.
- Have you a better plan?
- Yeah.
I want to get off.
Of course I don't mind
going with my pockets full.
I can't believe
you could be so foolish.
Why not? He's got a king's ransom
aboard here.
Don't call it stealing,
because that's the way he got it.
If we could take this thing over,
we'd be rich.
I'd have a ship of me own,
and you wouldn't have to be starving
on a professor's pay.
Don't look at me with
those soft-boiled eggs.
I caught the grin of gold in them
when that chest busted.
Ned, listen to me.
I want you to forget this idea.
Promise me that you won't start
anything on your own.
I won't promise that, Professor.
At least try my way first.
I know I can win the captain's confidence,
but I need time, and I need your help.
Can I count on you?
All right. Well, I go this far.
I won't try any one-man mutiny. Yet.
It is the best way, believe me.
There's one thing you ought
to know, Professor.
Nemo's cracked.
I've yet to see the day you can
make a deal with a mad dog.
So while you're feeding him sugar,
I'll be figuring a plan to muzzle him.
Fool.
He simply cannot grasp
the significance of all this.
Here we are within reach of
the most fabulous discoveries of all time,
and he patters of gold, escape.
Trivialities. Nonsense.
- That depends on your point of view.
- What do you mean by that?
I just think that Ned values his life
above scientific achievement.
His life means nothing.
Nor does mine or yours,
compared to what's behind all this.
We can't have him crossing Nemo.
Today we encountered
a fearsome storm.
An ordinary vessel
would have suffered heavy damage.
Safe and serene,
the Nautilus cruised
beneath the tempest.
There was much to occupy me,
so I left my apprentice
to deal with Ned Land.
Although he had
apparently settled down,
I knew he bore
constant watching.
Aye, sir, I'll check
all decks below.
Got a whale of a tale to tell you, boys
A whale of a tale that's true
'Bout the flappin' fish
And the girls I've loved
On nights like this
With the moon above
Cute, isn't she?
As the voyage continued,
the Nautilus and its motive power
excited my utmost curiosity.
At my host's invitation,
I inspected the ship.
He seemed determined
to show me everything.
We went to the very
heart of the vessel,
the propulsion unit.
It was apparent that Captain Nemo
had discovered
what mankind has always sought,
the veritable dynamic
power of the universe.
This secret alone gave him
mastery of the sea.
I can hardly believe it,
how one could conceive
and build such a craft.
And in a single stroke,
harness power beyond
the wildest dreams of science.
Why, such a secret could
revolutionise the world.
Or destroy it.
See how peaceful it is here.
The sea is everything,
an immense reservoir of nature
where I roam at will.
With seeming indifference,
Captain Nemo held the key
to the future of the world.
As I studied him,
I became aware that powerful forces
were at work within this strange man.
Think of it.
On the surface, there is hunger and fear.
Men still exercise unjust laws.
They fight, tear one another to pieces.
A mere few feet beneath the waves,
their reign ceases,
their evil drowns.
Here on the ocean floor
is the only independence.
Here I am free.
Imagine what would happen
if they controlled machines
such as a submarine boat.
Far better that they think
there's a monster
and hunt me with harpoons.
After travelling 10,000 leagues
under the sea,
I still had not solved
the mystery of Captain Nemo.
But then one day he asked me
to go ashore with him.
I felt at long last
I was to have my answer.
The prison camp of Rorapandi,
the white man's grave.
I thought it had been abolished.
Nothing is abolished that turns
a profit to that hated nation.
You'll see better
what I mean through this.
What is in those sacks
they are carrying?
Nitrates and phosphate
for ammunition, the seeds of war.
They're loading a full cargo of death,
and when that ship takes it home,
the world will die a little more.
I was once one of those
pitiful wretches you see down there.
Look at it again.
I don't want you to forget
what you've seen here today.
I've seen enough.
It's burned everlastingly in my memory.
I did not escape from there alone.
There were others, and most
of them are still with me.
The crew of the Nautilus?
They are dedicated men
with a plan for living,
but also a plan for dying.
We seized one of their ships
and fled beyond maps,
a place known to me simply as Vulcania.
Vulcania? It sounds remote.
Remote and useful.
It was there that we built the Nautilus.
You will have the privilege
of seeing all this firsthand.
When our mission is completed,
the Nautilus is going home.
They're getting up steam, sir.
Very good.
That ship that flies no flag
sails with the tide.
But the evil in its hold
will never reach its destination.
- You have your orders.
- Aye, sir.
- Go to your stations.
- Go below, Professor.
- You are going to sink that ship?
- I said go below!
Stay in your quarters!
Stand by engines.
Half ahead.
Collision speed, full!
Collision speed, full!
Professor?
Are you all right?
All those men,
they didn't even have a chance.
They were sailors, same as me,
slaughtered by that monster
you're trying to make friends with.
Ned, don't.
I don't know how you feel, Professor,
but I feel like a knife that's just
stabbed a friend in the back.
Go to your quarters.
I've had a bellyful.
Damage report, sir.
Rudder and starboard
diving planes disabled.
Muster a repair party.
We'll make temporary repairs here.
Aye, sir.
I asked you to leave, Professor.
You also asked me ashore,
to show me man's inhumanity to man.
Why? To justify this?
You are not only a murderer.
You are a hypocrite.
The proof lies out there.
You call that murder?
Well, I see murder, too!
Not written on those
drowned faces out there,
but on the faces of dead thousands!
There are the assassins,
the dealers in death. I am the avenger.
Is murder a right reserved
for that hated nation
that has taken everything from me?
Everything but my secret,
the secret of my submarine boat
and the energy that propels it.
They tried. They cast me into prison,
and when they failed...
When they failed,
they tortured my wife
and young son to death.
Do you know the meaning
of love, Professor?
I believe I do.
What you fail to understand
is the power of hate.
It can fill the heart as surely as love can.
I'm sorry for you.
It's a bitter substitute.
The explosions scattered
everything all over the place.
I was just trying to tidy up.
- Professor, I'd like to speak to you.
- About what?
Well, I believe things
have gone far enough.
Murder means nothing to him.
I think he enjoys it.
You're sure of that, are you?
Quite sure?
I can only judge him
by what I've observed.
It is not your place to judge.
You don't know anything about the captain.
He's already said
that he has use for me.
What's more important,
the world has a use for him.
And I must make him understand it.
When he does, he will judge himself
far more harshly than you ever can.
Is that clear?
Whatever you say, Captain.
Now, please go out and leave me alone.
What did you call me? "Captain?"
Yes, I did.
And I must say,
there is a certain resemblance.
- Seen enough?
- I want to talk to you.
You little spying hyena.
Did the professor put you up to this?
It's the professor
I want to tell you about!
You were right.
Nemo's won him over completely.
You bet I was right.
And I was right about you spying on me.
I've known all along
that you were stealing food and treasure.
I didn't tell a soul.
I was glad you did it. We may need it.
We? Since when do I need you?
We need each other.
Ned, I want to be friends.
"I wanna be friends."
I want to escape.
So do I, with you.
And we have to save the professor
in spite of himself.
You once said you had a plan.
Well, have you?
- Yeah, I got a plan.
- Well?
Trouble is, it won't work.
I can't figure how they
navigate this barge.
Nothing's written down.
No courses, no bearings, nothing.
If we could figure where
we're heading, we'd have a chance.
That's no problem.
When I was reading the professor's journal,
I learned about Nemo's plans.
We're heading
for a place called Vulcania.
- Vulcania?
- Yeah, that's Nemo's base.
Why didn't you say so?
This is what I've been waiting for!
- It was?
- Sure!
Vulcania!
I got to take a look at those charts.
Why not?
I'll need all hands.
- You keep a watch.
- Aye, sir.
- Keep your eye peeled for the mate.
- Aye, sir.
Hey, Ned.
Ned, put them back. He's coming.
All right, all right!
Hurry up. Hurry up, he's coming!
That was close, mate.
Very.
- This is Nemo's cabin.
- Yeah.
He does do right well for himself.
Maybe...
Let's get out of here.
If they find us in his cabin, we're...
- What is it?
- Get me a pencil and paper quick.
- What for?
- I think I found something.
Yes?
See? All the distances
are measured from that point.
That's right.
Get me those calipers, quick.
Let me see if I can work this out.
Now, longitude...
- Quiet!
- Quiet.
Here. Here. Have a cigar.
Hey, she likes 'em!
- You want another? Give me a kiss.
- You have quite a way with animals.
I do better with women.
Be quiet!
- You feed her.
- All right.
I'll give you a cigar. All right.
Here. Have one.
Yes, I love you, too.
I'll find you some more.
- Stop playing with her!
- I'm not playing!
You just be quiet. Be a nice girl.
Now, eat them slowly.
You don't have to be needy.
- We'll complete repairs at base.
- He's coming.
Let's go.
- Resume speed at 50 fathoms.
- Resume speed at 50 fathoms.
Esmie.
I've got to do some research.
I'll need some specimens. Get 'em.
- Specimens? What kind?
- The ones in bottles. Go on. Beat it.
- And don't get caught.
- No.
Ned, you've got everything here,
from the rarest nudibranchs to oysters.
Oysters are out of season.
Dump 'em in the sink. I want the bottles.
You can't do that.
These are priceless.
You're not thinking of putting
messages into these bottles?
Why, that went out with Robinson Crusoe.
You've forgotten this is the 19th century.
Somethin' else I forgot.
That's for spyin' on me.
Don't let me catch you padding the shadow
of my stern again. Remember that.
I don't like bashin' anybody,
but you had it comin', lad.
And I thought we were friends.
Sure we're friends!
Go ahead. Hit me.
Hit me.
- You mean that?
- Sure, go ahead. You can't miss it.
Now we are friends.
Oh, all right, shipmate!
Now I'll tell you what I had in my mind.
This may be old stuff... tossing messages
in bottles and settin' 'em adrift...
but I've heard of it workin'.
- Alcohol.
- Very pure alcohol.
We'll just drain the polliwogs out
and save the grog.
It's priceless.
Anyhow... hold this, lad.
This chap I knew got shipwrecked
in the Bahamas.
Him and a lady passenger
alone on an island.
Well, they had plenty
of time on their hands,
so they began writin' notes,
puttin' 'em in old rum bottles
and settin' 'em adrift.
One of them got through
and they was rescued.
What's the matter?
I swallowed it.
There was a Flabellina oculina in there.
Poor thing.
Flabellina oculina.
She won't answer her helm, sir.
Astern, full!
- What's happened?
- We seem to have run aground.
What's happened?
- An accident, Captain?
- An incident.
Our faulty rudder's put us on a reef.
The tide will float us free by evening.
We're off the coast of New Guinea.
Would you like to go ashore?
No, thank you. The last time we went
ashore, it was a prelude to murder.
- Check for leaks.
- Aye, sir.
Throwin' away a chance like that.
The professor's losin' his ballast.
Smell it. Sweet as an angel's kiss.
Dry land, mate.
Coconuts, mangoes and...
native girls hungry for affection.
I'd give anything to shake hands
with a tree again.
So would I.
And so would the professor.
I know how badly he wants
to collect specimens,
but he won't ask any favours from Nemo.
What's wrong with you going instead?
Nothing. What about you?
Me? I'm a collectin' fool.
There's no harm in asking.
No harm at all, mate.
Captain, I wondered,
as long as the professor is not going
ashore, if I could go in his place.
I'd like to collect specimens
and take some notes.
- You feel qualified?
- Qualified?
For years, the professor and I
have been working together.
- And I can row, sir. Got a strong back.
- And a strong desire to escape.
Who, me? I'm no deserter.
Happy to be aboard, sir.
- Very well. Permission granted.
- Thank you.
But stay on the beach.
The natives are cannibals.
They eat liars with the same enthusiasm
as they eat honest men.
- Break out the skiff.
- Aye, sir. Break out the skiff.
Shove off!
I don't see any native girls
hungry for affection.
Take it easy.
Hey, Ned. We're not
supposed to leave the beach.
Who's leaving it?
Hey!
- Come here, quick.
- What is it?
Look. A trail through the jungle.
You had this in mind all the time.
You want to escape.
What do ya say? It's a cinch!
I don't think so or Nemo wouldn't have
let us come ashore.
Don't forget the cannibals.
Belay the cannibals.
He said that to scare us.
Besides, I couldn't leave the professor.
I figured that.
Look at me. I can't get through that jungle.
You'll go faster alone.
- Hope you make it, Ned.
- I'll make it.
And I'll have every gunboat
in the navy hunting Nemo.
We'll be laughing about this,
havin' a drink together in Frisco.
Good luck, Ned.
Give my best to the professor.
Hey!
Hey, wait for me!
Hey!
Wait for me!
Hey!
Hey!
Hey!
Hey, cannibals!
Hundreds of cannibals!
Captain! Captain!
- Scores of boats!
- We're under attack!
Naturally. Since you
invaded their privacy,
they have every right to invade ours.
They're coming aboard.
Get me a harpoon, quick.
Close the hatch!
I'll give the commands
on this boat, Mr Land!
- Stand aside!
- Aye, sir.
- I got to see this.
- This is amazing.
Hey, Captain, that's one way
to keep guests from droppin' in.
A mild charge of electricity.
Not very hospitable, but harmless.
And speaking of hospitality,
you have abused mine for the last time.
How's that?
You've continuously
disobeyed my orders.
- Who, me?
- I told you once the fate of prisoners.
But since you insist on
being treated as one,
I have no choice but to oblige you.
- Take him in charge.
- What's this all about?
You left the beach
with the intention of escaping.
You only came back
because the natives forced you to.
- You're going to regret that choice.
- Ship rounding the headland, sir.
When we clear this reef, I'll see
you trouble my existence no longer.
I should have taken
my chances with the cannibals.
A warship.
- A warship?
- Put him under guard below.
Take him below.
All engines ready.
- We must break free of the reef.
- Aye, sir.
Lighten ship and drop all ballast.
Get below! They'll be
shelling us in a moment.
Aye, sir.
- Astern, full!
- Astern full it is, sir.
Let me out of this...
Let me out of this glory hole!
Professor! Professor!
- A warship, professor.
- Warship?
We're breaking out!
- Man the watertight doors.
- Aye, sir.
Man the watertight doors!
They're shutting the door.
Wait!
- Wait!
- Let us out!
Wait! We are in here!
Wait!
Take the wheel.
How much water
in the power compartment?
Five feet and rising, sir.
Break out a spare shaft.
- Break out a spare shaft!
- We must use leverage.
Bring it athwartships.
Put the aft end under the leak.
Hands up with the hoist.
Take up the slack.
Take a strain.
Professor.
Look. The dials aren't moving.
We've gone too deep.
- Stand by with braces!
- Aye, sir!
Braces!
Braces in place, sir!
Man your stations! Start engines!
The air will clear now
that the fans are operating again.
- Are you all right?
- Thank you. Much better.
- Have we stopped sinking?
- Fortunately.
There are limits beyond which man
and his puny efforts cannot survive.
We exceeded them by 5,000 feet.
We're deeper now
than man has ever been before.
Giant squid astern, sir!
Emergency speed, all engines!
- We're fouled. Full repellent charge!
- Aye, sir.
- Prepare another charge.
- Sorry, sir. All elements burned out.
We shall fight on the surface.
Assemble all hands in the chart room.
Aye, sir.
Drop all ballast.
Diving controls, full up position.
You'll be fighting at close quarters
with the most tenacious of all sea beasts.
Stay clear of the tentacles.
They'll seize anything within reach
and hang on to the death.
The only vital spot is
directly between the eyes.
Forty feet and surfacing, sir.
Stand by.
Stand back!
Quick! The forward hatch!
Take your men down the starboard side!
You men, come with me!
Give me a harpoon!
I'll walk behind it.
Stay back here!
Stand clear!
Throw me another iron!
Watch it!
Your hand!
Well, I'll be...
Are you hurt bad, mate?
What's up? What happened?
Mr Land.
You saved my life.
Why?
That's a good question.
There's only one thing
a fella can do
when he's made a mistake
as big as this.
What?
Get drunk.
And the girls I've loved on nights
Like this with the moon above
A whale of a tale, and it's all true
I swear by my tattoo
Glad to see you like music, too.
We got a lot in common.
Thank you, baby.
How about a drink?
Okay.
Hey! Would you like
a Flabellina oculina?
I've tried 'em. Very good.
Want some?
Esmeralda, you're the only one
on this barge who understands me.
Give us a kiss.
Your whiskers tickle.
Let me see your whiskers.
You oughta shave, honey.
You're beginning to look like Nemo.
Let's try it again.
Let's try it again.
There was old man Nemo
Fed his crew on worms and fishes
Eels for breakfast
Slimy cold on seaweed dishes
When they ate it
They knew it wasn't beef
But eat they did the brisket squid
A-smellin' like a reef
Not so loud, Ned. Not so loud.
She loves those Flabellinas oculinas.
I am happy you're out of jail, Ned.
Yeah, I got the run of the ship.
Big-hearted Nemo.
The professor's very happy, too.
After all, it's the first time
Nemo has shown any gratitude.
We don't want none of his gratitude!
We don't want none
of his gratitude!
This is awful.
You can tell him that
for the both of us.
Do we, Esmeralda?
Come on.
I'm gonna take a little nap here.
You lie down there.
Wrap yourself up good.
I don't want you to catch cold.
Good night, Esmie.
My apprentice tells me
you have taken my journal.
May I ask why?
I keep no log on the Nautilus,
and I was frankly curious to read
your account of the giant squid.
In particular,
my narrow escape and rescue.
According to you, Mr Land is a hero
in the best tradition of cheap fiction.
That can only be true
if you consider your life cheap.
I might have expected you to say that.
Actually, he regrets saving my life
as much as I would regret saving his.
The only difference is
that I wouldn't have tried.
It is that difference that gives Ned Land
a human dignity you no longer possess.
- May I tell you something?
- You seem determined to. Go ahead.
You protest too much.
I know you were deeply
touched by Ned's gesture,
but you are ashamed to admit it.
You cannot tolerate a faith in humanity,
because if you do, all this,
the structure of your very existence,
which you built on hate and vengeance,
all this will collapse
around the naked lie of your life.
You are a beaten man, at war
with the dictates of his heart.
And you are a very
gullible man, Professor.
Gullible?
Yes, you're too easily
swayed by sentiment...
individual good deeds over bad,
the crude extremes.
The world is more complex than that,
and good must not be measured on a scale
as small as Mr Land's brash heroics.
What he would do one day,
he would gladly undo the next.
To be of benefit, goodness
must be constant, forever building.
It must have strength.
What you seek is perfection.
- You will never find it.
- I have already found it.
Here. It is the world
outside that is imperfect.
If men and nations had this
goodness that I speak of,
I would be willing
to share all this...
my records, everything.
Have you considered sharing it?
That's the only reason
that you're alive today.
From the moment you came aboard,
I had hoped that you would be the key
to a plan I had in mind.
I had intended using you
as an emissary.
But now I don't know.
- Is it that you don't trust me?
- No!
But you are ever the optimist.
Do you really believe they would lay down
their arms and abolish their slave camps?
Yes, I think I could persuade them.
Let me try.
We are nearing Vulcania.
I want you to see
the extent of these secrets
for which they have hounded me.
The knowledge which cost the lives
of those dearest to me,
the power which is still mine.
Enough energy to lift mankind
from the depths of hell into heaven...
or destroy it.
Perhaps then you will feel less inclined
to barter such a prize.
We will discuss it at that time.
We've raised the island.
- Why have we stopped?
- There are warships ahead.
- Bearing what flag?
- No flag, sir.
Very well.
There's your answer, Professor.
We've been ambushed by the very forces
you wished to trade with.
Their boarding parties
have already landed.
This is a dark hour
for history, Professor.
They'll be over the summit
in half an hour, sir.
I estimate 20 minutes.
Everything must be destroyed
before they reach the lagoon.
- Ready to dive!
- Aye, sir. Diving stations.
- Ahead full!
- Diving stations.
Four degrees down.
- All engines stop! Break out the skiff.
- Aye, sir.
What's all the excitement, Captain?
- What is it, Professor?
- We are at the base.
The island is surrounded by warships.
- By warships?
- Warships!
Shove off.
- Have everything in readiness aboard.
- Aye, sir.
Take cover!
Look! They're coming.
- I'm gonna let 'em know we're here.
- No, Ned, don't!
Hey! Hey!
You up there, we're friends!
Don't shoot!
We're friends, I tell ya!
We're the ones that
threw the bottles over!
Hey, we're friends!
We sent the messages!
That's gratitude for you,
after all we did for 'em.
Then it was you
who decoyed those warships here.
Somebody had to strike
a blow for freedom.
We did what we thought was right.
Right? You fools!
This is going to cost the world
the greatest discoveries of all time.
He's gone ashore to destroy everything.
Hey, Professor...
Destroy everything?
That sounds like he's gonna
plant a bomb or something.
- Every man to his station.
- Every man to his station.
Stand by engines. Prepare for diving.
Aye, sir. Prepare for diving.
Shall I take over?
Half ahead.
Four degrees down.
Ahead full.
Slow on engines.
All controls eight degrees down.
Lash the wheel.
Aye, sir. Lash the wheel.
Captain.
We are taking the Nautilus
down for the last time.
We understand, sir, and we're with you.
Wait a minute. I don't understand.
What's that gotta do with us?
I'm dying, and
the Nautilus is dying with me.
- Professor?
- Yes.
In a matter of minutes,
an explosion, such as
the world has never known,
will destroy my island
and all its works forever.
That is why I have
brought the Nautilus...
here,
to its last,
deep resting place.
Here at least we will die in peace.
Let every man go
to his quarters and remain there.
Why do you take us down with you?
- Lock them in their quarters.
- Aye, sir. Take them out.
I don't want to die.
Don't let him do it.
I want no part of this!
Captain, you cannot do this.
There is more at stake here
than just our lives.
Yours was a dream
of the future come true.
I beg you to reconsider.
A power greater than mine
makes that impossible.
But there is hope for the future.
When the world is ready
for a new and better life,
all this will someday come to pass...
in God's good time.
I'm sorry, Ned.
Don't give up, mates!
We're no part of any suicide pact!
Put him in his cabin.
Come on, I'm taking over the ship.
Let's get outta here.
We're on the surface. Stand by.
Let's get the skiff out
and shove off.
- Professor, where ya goin'?
- My journal.
- The island's gonna blow up any second.
- I must get my journal.
Shove off.
What's the matter? Is he hurt?
We forgot Esmie.
Esmeralda, come on. Quick!
Come on. Come on.
In the boat, come on. In the boat.
There she blows!
Sorry I had to wallop you, Professor.
Wasn't time to stop for souvenirs.
Perhaps you did mankind a service, Ned.
There is hope for the future.
And when the world is ready
for a new and better life,
all this will someday come to pass...
in God's good time.