Or Deadly Martian Warlords of Atlantis would be a more accurate title, since we’re talking about bad-ass aliens coming to earth and establishing their empire on the sea-bed many centuries ago. This is something of a Boys Own scenario, and it gets a suitably ambitious treatment in Kevin Connor’s Saturday matinee classic from 1978. It’s easy enough to get your head around the plot. Following on from The Land That Time Forgot and other rubber-monster family adventures, Doug McClure plays Greg Collinson, a lantern-jawed hero who leads an early 1900’s expedition aboard the Texas Rose sailing ship, with a diving bell taking him and his crew down to the depths to a surprisingly sun-drenched undersea kingdom.
Goofy it might be, but there’s also lots of points of interest here, not least the work of monster-maker Roger Dicken, warming up for his work on Alien. From the opening sleepy-eyed octopus-attack forward, he comes up with some pretty awesome creations, even if the back projection work isn’t always up to snuff. Atlantis itself is rendered in occasion splendour, with some cool glass paintings to capture it’s majesty. Writer Brian Hayles was responsible for some of the best Dr Who episodes, and the storyline feels ripped from the Pertwee/Baker heyday. It’s not easy getting in to Atlantis, with many monsters to be tackled, and it’s even harder getting back out, but the gelid creatures encountered add some physicality to the struggle. And although the Atlantis denizens are a po-faced bunch, with their mind-control helmet being their only obvious tech, they’re suitable villains for McClure and his team to shake up.
Bonuses include John Ratzenberger, Cliff from Cheers, keenly battling the monsters, plus The Onedin Line’s Peter Gilmour leading the sailors’ charge. And in Atlantis, the random line-up includes Noel Coward surrogate Daniel Massey, plus Bond villain Michael Gothard; the undersea kingdom seems more like a Royal Shakespeare Company aquatic division than a bunch of stranded aliens. Cyd Charisse also turns up, in a costume designed to accentuate her famously long legs, which get as much screen time as the octopus’s equally lengthy appendages. And one detail sticks; when using the mind-control helmet, we see a vision of the potential future of the 20th century if the Martians win, and it’s recognisably the one that we all experienced. Which suggests that as the Martians are defeated here, we’re all currently living in an alternate universe branching off from the reality depicted in Warlords of Atlantis, a sobering thought indeed..
Warlords of Atlantis may have seemed like small potatoes in the wake of Star Wars, the last gasp of a cycle of British movies aimed at kids, but with ideas above their station. The nostalgia factor, however, is high with this one, and as a guilty pleasure, it’s hard to knock this ridiculous, and yet quaintly charming enterprise.
Thanks to Studio Canal for access to this film.
Now you’re talking. Can’t beat this kind of enjoyment.
A real shame this isn’t on streaming as yet, but it’s really good, clean fun and has huge nostalgia value.
Ditto what Bookstooge said.
A dangerous man to be in agreement with, but in this case, he’s right!
Danger Is My Business!
You pour Orange Dreamsicle on your Lucky Charms too!?!?
Why would I do that??? I’d have a sticky wrist all day!
No silly, the magically delicious cereal!
https://img1.mashed.com/img/gallery/the-untold-truth-of-lucky-charms/intro-1588009432.jpg
Never heard of it. Cornflakes or Rice Krispies, that’s it at Fraggle Towers.
Obviously, the Power of American TV hasn’t reached its full potential then. Well, one more thing to add to my “to do” list this weekend.
Right you two! If you’re not adding to the debate about Warlords of Atlantis, then find something else to do; I’ve put a new post up to try and nip this kind of thing in the bud! Of course I don’t put oange juice on my coco-pops because tooth retention is important to me moving forward…debate over!
I bet if Cyd had poured energy drink on her sugar cereal she could have ripped that octopus in half and not needed to lounge around like that!
There’s no stopping some people…
Also I’ve tried Haggis. It’s awful. Don’t succumb.
Also have you noticed how succumb sounds just like suck’em, don’t do that either.
Sucking on haggis is out. got it!
Oh man, I have to got to watch this. But can you believe, it isn’t on Prime, even to buy? I mean, Slithis is and At the Earth’s Core, but not this. Sometimes I despair of movie people ever doing things right. Now my life is a ruin and shambles, without being able to watch this.
On the positive side, I did come across a new word and expanded my vocabulary. I’d never heard “po-face” and didn’t realize it wasn’t slang. Thank goodness for google and its all knowing ways. But I am very po-faced that Amazon doesn’t have this for streaming.
Can’t find it streaming anywhere on the net, though it is on youtube in 48 parts 🤣
Hoping to drum up some interest in this film, I’m not sure 48 parts will do it justice! It should be compulsory in school and mandatory in every home if you ask me.
I can’t see why it hasn’t been on proper telly, Land that time forgot turns up regularly enough. AH well, maybe one day.
Something to give us hope in dark times.
I’ll put it on the ‘hopes’ list then.
Hopes and Nopes should be the title of your autobiography.
Hopes, nopes and dopes I think.
I don’t want to watch it that badly! 😀
🤣 you could do it as a serial!
Ughh, serials. I won’t tolerate them in my book reading, so not a chance for movies!
You could review the first three seconds just to provide a flavour.
I have Principles!
That I won’t watch/read serials and that I won’t eat Haggis. Even if it’s on pizza.
These guiding Principles are the rock upon which I regularly crash my ship of entertainment 😉
Bookstooge pours monster energy drinks on his cereal, I guess.
Nice on rice crispies. Snap crackle pop!
I prefer the Reign: Orange Dreamsicle on my Lucky Charms. Caffeine AND sugar.
♪So Happy♪ Together♪
Haggis pizza is the least of your problems, then.
Yup, not on Prime in the UK either, which is a pity because it’s exactly the kind of romp I think would appeal to all ages. Sorry for ruining your life! It’s a hoot, and I moved like a panther for speed when Studio Canal offered me a view. Hopefully I can help create a groundswell of interest to help get this one to today’s audiences, it’s a total hoot in a good way.
Don’t be po-faced, it’s THANKSGIVING!
Have no fear. In just a couple of hours I’ll be stuffing myself with stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, dinner rolls and gravy! I plan to roll around instead of walking after I’m done 😀
Bon appetite!
And don’t worry, when I am eating my robust and potentially gluttonous meal, I will think a thought for you and your limp crumpet and weak tea 😉
Do you eat haggis?
Yes, but it’s an illegal substance in your neck of the woods, so no haggis pizza for you. I have it for breakfast!
Then I have to give you the Man award of the day! Anyone who can eat haggis has some real bumbinas.
And if there are any leftovers of our Good Food, I’ll bring a plate down to the surveillance van. No rocks even!
The rocks are the best bit! I’ll be here in the van, knock twice…
I vaguely remember this. That photo looks like an early test shoot for Leia and Jabba.
That is indeed exactly what it looks like, CGI Jabba that is.