Editorial Product Review:Amazon.com:Inspired more by Disney's
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea than the Jules Verne novels it purports to be based upon (1896's
Clipper of the Clouds and 1904's
Master of the World), this American International Pictures production is a mildly diverting period fantasy adventure, buoyed mainly by leads Vincent Price and Charles Bronson. Nineteenth-century government agent Strock (Bronson) hires Prudence (Henry Hull), a munitions maker and balloon enthusiast, to help investigate the source of a mysterious voice that emanated from Pennsylvania's Great Eyrie. With Prudence's daughter Dorothy (Mary Webster) and her fiancé Philip (David Frankham), the pair flies over the mountain, only to be shot down and taken captive by Robur (Price). Using his colossal airship
Albatross, Robur plans to end world warfare by decimating any country that refuses to lay down its arms. Despite solid efforts by Price and Bronson (who reportedly disliked each other), a thoughtful script by fantasy author Richard Matheson, and a lively score by Les Baxter,
Master never takes flight. Miniature effects by Tim Baar, Wah Chang, and Gene Warren (a.k.a. Projects Unlimited, which created creatures for 'The Outer Limits') are hobbled by AIP's infamously low budget, and B-movie vet William Whitney's direction is painfully lethargic. Lacking the necessary super-sized scope and star power of other Verne adaptations, including 1958's
Around the World in Eighty Days and 1959's
Journey to the Center of the Earth,
Master is for AIP and Price completists only. MGM's digitally transferred full-frame print looks fabulous and includes the original theatrical trailer.
--Paul Gaita
More related to this product:
click for more
More related to this product:
Buyer Reviews
Average Buyer Rating:

Customer Rating: 
-
Master of the World
Terrific movie with another fine performance from Vincent Price. Also an early appearance of Charles Bronson is an added treat.
Customer Rating: 
-
Richard Harrison?
Just watched the movie on TCM. I watched it because I am a fan of Vincent Price, but the actor who kept me interested was the man at the ship's wheel. Is that Richard Harrison? His strong and muscular physique was one of the most exciting pieces of scenery in the movie. Once in awhile I saw his handsome profile. He was one hunk of a man in his day....
Customer Rating: 
-
Great, but not as cool as I remembered
I watched this as a kid and loved it. The special effects aren't as great anymore, but still a great story. I re-read the Jules Verne books that it's based on with my son who was interested in airship. So it was fun to see again. These Verne books are online for free.
Customer Rating: 
-
an overlooked classic
I consider this movie to be an old-fashioned adventure movie of the highest order. I could write a mini-novel about all the high points of this movie...but I think the actors said it best: "I believe he's convinced you his ship is magical........He has! He has!....it is MAGICAL!". This movie deserves to released on DVD ASAP!!!