Producer: Michael Balcon. A Gaumont-British picture. Copyright 11 November 1935 by Gaumont British Picture Corp. of America. New York opening at the Roxy: 27 October 1935. U.K. release through Gaumont-British Picture Corporation, Ltd: January 1936. Australian release through 20th Century-Fox: 17 June 1936. 10 reels. 94 minutes. U.K. release title: The TUNNEL.
SYNOPSIS: In the mid-1940s, work begins on an underocean tunnel to link the United States and Great Britain. Twenty years later, after many vicissitudes, the project is completed. NOTES: A re-make of a 1933 German film Der Tunnel directed by Curtis Bernhardt, starring Paul Hartman and Ferdinand Marian.
COMMENT: Although cursed with an impossibly dime-novel domestic plot, this is still an impressive piece of science fiction with some great models and special effects. No expense has been spared with sets and extras.
Elvey has directed the action and mob scenes with assurance and flair. He's also managed to prevent the old-fashioned plot from swamping the more interesting construction work by handling it at a rapid pace.
The four leads do what they can with their bits of romantic nonsense, with vampish Vinson coming off best. The support players, led by Smith, Sydney and Oscar, with guest cameos by Arliss and Huston, are as usual more interesting than the top-billed stars.
A lot of money has been spent on this film. And it's all up there on the screen.
OTHER VIEWS: Although the premise of an underocean tunnel may not seem all that promising, this science fiction classic is still a pretty stunning visual experience even in this day. No doubt many of the impressive sets were salvaged for use as stock shots from the German film. All the same, there are no visible joins.
SYNOPSIS: In the mid-1940s, work begins on an underocean tunnel to link the United States and Great Britain. Twenty years later, after many vicissitudes, the project is completed. NOTES: A re-make of a 1933 German film Der Tunnel directed by Curtis Bernhardt, starring Paul Hartman and Ferdinand Marian.
COMMENT: Although cursed with an impossibly dime-novel domestic plot, this is still an impressive piece of science fiction with some great models and special effects. No expense has been spared with sets and extras.
Elvey has directed the action and mob scenes with assurance and flair. He's also managed to prevent the old-fashioned plot from swamping the more interesting construction work by handling it at a rapid pace.
The four leads do what they can with their bits of romantic nonsense, with vampish Vinson coming off best. The support players, led by Smith, Sydney and Oscar, with guest cameos by Arliss and Huston, are as usual more interesting than the top-billed stars.
A lot of money has been spent on this film. And it's all up there on the screen.
OTHER VIEWS: Although the premise of an underocean tunnel may not seem all that promising, this science fiction classic is still a pretty stunning visual experience even in this day. No doubt many of the impressive sets were salvaged for use as stock shots from the German film. All the same, there are no visible joins.