"The Mysterious Island of Captain Nemo": Something's missing?
A while ago I toyed with the idea of a 'Version Integral', compiling all existing footage (apart from alternative scenes, impossible to incorparate) into six extra long episodes. However, with the news of CCI releasing a limited edition DVD in July 2005 that, according to my information, will do exactly that, my plan has become obsolete. The following selection of screen captures shows some of the material I was considering. It will be interesting how much, if any of it turns up in the CCI version.
Episode 1
Only one as far as I can see, and not very likely: Right at the end, in the scene of Nab searching the beach for Cyrus Smith, in the International theatrical version the producers added a shot of surveillance cameras and ray guns looking on up high from the cliffs (see screen capture). The shot isn't present in any TV-version. It's the only time we get to see those gadgets positioned elsewhere than overseeing the volcanic valley, so I guess this was added in the theatrical version to amp up tensions!
Episode 2
The only I can think of, and it will be very tricky to add. Anyway, it's footage of wild birds (vultures?) in a tree getting upset each time one of the castaways is shot with the electro gun. I suspect this is lifted from another film or programme entirely (African wildlife?), by the producers of the theatrical versions, since it's not present in any TV-version.
Episode 3
No suggestions.
Episode 4
A wide shot of the Bonaventure setting out for Tabor Island. (Source: The Spanish theatrical version VHS).
A small, amusing dialogue scene between Nab and Cyrus Smith, present in the French TV-series and the International theatrical version, but neither the German or Spanish TV-serials. Having ordered Nab to stay behind and look after the camp, while he investigates the 'forbidden zone', Smith is somewhat taken aback, when Nab not only defies him, but appears carrying the same kind of contraption (a sort of portable lightning deflector!) as his. Asked when he made it, Nab replies: "Under your very nose, if you pardon the expression". (Source: The French theatrical version DVD)
Episode 5
A brief glimpse of the plans for a ship, shown right after the castaways inspect the contents of the casket sent by Captain Nemo. (Source: The Spanish theatrical version VHS.)
More footage of Pencroff and Cyrus Smith discussing the shipbuilding. (Source: The Spanish theatrical version VHS.)
Pencroff and Smith are interrupted by Ayrton, Spilett and Nab returning from the hunt. In the Spanish theatrical version this scene is longer as well.
Episode 6
In the TV-series we don't actually see Captain Nemo and his crew place mines on the hull of the pirate ship. We do in the International theatrical version. And the Spanish theatrical version has even more/alternative footage of that scene.
In the Spanish theatrical version there is additional footage of the slideshow that Captain Nemo runs for Gideon Spilett, drawing on even more of the original French book illustrations!
This scene (from the Spanish theatrical version VHS), a longer argument between Captain Nemo and the castaways about escaping in the Nautilus, will be tricky to add in, because this is the moment when Bob Harvey makes his attack on the crew member in the International version.
A complete scene that could easily be added: The alarm being sounded, Captain Nemo leaves the castaways to investigate. To his horror he finds his last remaining crew member killed by Bob Harvey. Meanwhile Harvey lurks nearby, hidden by some machinery. Because the producers of this version for some weird reason didn't have access to footage of The Nautilus Mark 2, they chose not show Harvey killing the crew member outside of the vessel; instead letting Nemo find the body at the top of the entrance. It still fits though with the scene next of Harvey attempting a hijack of the vessel.
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Not likely to be used: The International theatrical version offers this very strange shot of the sinking Nautilus, which I think is liften from another movie. (The Mark I model of the Nautilus, seen in the Spanish theatrical version VHS and the Italian theatrical version VHS look even more weird, but I seriously doubt they will be used either!)
Finally, there is a lot of alternative/extra footage of the island blowing up, in the Spanish theatrical version. Some of the footage is lifted from earlier in the episode, when the fight between the pirates and the castaways is interrupted by an earthquake.
