Year: 1960
Director: Jack Sher
Country: US
Language: English
Johnathon Swift was one of the greatest satirists hailing from the British Isles. I first learned of him when I wrote about his controversial A Modest Proposal in University several years ago. His most famous novel, Gulliver's Travels, is a scathing indictment of British society, although you'd never guess that from this heavily glamorized Hollywood version. Major movie studios had wanted to adapt this novel since the 1930's and this is the finished product.
After being shipwrecked, a man (Kerwin Matthews) finds himself on an island inhabited by tiny people, who soon make plans for him.
Swift's scornful message has been interpreted as a lighthearted fable. The original tone has vanished without a trace, albeit this abridged adaptation does remain somewhat faithful in terms of following the story. The 3 Worlds of Gulliver was clearly made with a very young audience in mind; retaining social criticism was probably not a high priority. Granted, much of Swift's anti-militarism does shine through.
Much of the special effects, Gulliver being much bigger and much smaller than the other people onscreen, a matter of forced perspective and matte effects. While famed special effects Ray Harryhausen handles those beautifully, there's very little in this that somebody else couldn't have done. His famous stop-motion animation, although quite impressive, is used sparingly throughout the film.
Despite my criticisms, I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed The 3 Worlds of Gulliver. It has a great sense of imagination that isn't often present in contemporary pictures. The story, although straying from Swift's political context, is still engaging and was certainly a breeze to sit through.
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