Invention for Destruction

Moviecut—Invention for Destruction

source: Invention for Destruction

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"The Deadly Invention" showcases Zemans unique approach to movie-making and aesthetics, sometimes maybe in a too strict manner. To keep the mix of animation, stop-motion and real-life actors / sets manageable, the movie is done in black and white - which makes it more similar to the 19th century steel engravings accompanying Verne editions, but loses some atmosphere. I don't know why the whole movie is kept in neutral grey; even early filmmakers coloured their B/W films from scene to scene according to the story to enhance the experience. Seems like an oversight to me. As mentioned in the title, this is required viewing for animation addicts; for pure enjoyment I'd recommend Zeman's later stuff, like "The Stolen Airship" which came nearly 10 years later and has colours (handcrafted, of course) as well a a more easygoing flow of story.

I had never heard of this film until earlier this year when a small local revival cinema announced a showing, and being an old fan of Jules Verne I took a strong interest. I thought it was pretty amazing, the effects aren't quite like anything I've ever seen and it just felt like it took place in a kind of dream world! Other reviews say it was based on a Verne story "For the Flag" though the end credits I saw mentioned a different title I thought. I can't remember what that was; in any case I am unfamiliar with it and was obviously a precursor to some of his other better known novels. I found this movie has been issued on DVD.

I'd never heard of this film until I saw it scheduled at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens. I'm so glad I saw it -- this movie has everything! Guileless inventors, ruthless pirates, a winsome heroine, hot-air balloons, a villain's lair in a volcano, submarines with duck-foot paddles, roller-skating camels, a giant man-eating octopus, and the most charming production design this side of Edward Gorey's sets for "Dracula." I look forward to the steampunk movement's embrace of this film, assuming they don't already know about it. Even if they have, they should check out this restoration, which is crisp, clear, and gorgeous.

This is even better than Jules Verne (albeit some minor Verne works) with not only the stories and some of the dialogue but period engravings surrounding live actors, animation magic to boot and uncountable other technical tours de force. It is rather cool, perhaps, with the characters rather distant from the viewers but they take second place to the virtuoso special effects. And what effects they are! The drawings are so real they pop off the screen and the music is absolutely wonderful - full Twentieth Century in this case. This is rather like the most elaborate of magic shows: we are willing to sit back and be amused - and amazed. Bravo Karel Zeman and bravo to the whole team! Curtis Stotlar

Few films have ever captured the feel of a fantasy world better than this one. The opening sequence alone (no, I'm not talking about the Hugh Downes intro) is absolutely masterful, presenting us with a seemingly unending series of striking images done using a technique (described at length by other reviewers) I don't think has ever been used again in a feature. Fantastic planes, trains, and airships soar past evoking a sort of "steam-punk" atmosphere of retro technology before that term was ever coined. Film fans, Verne fans, fans of pure hand-crafted cinema artistry and imagination must do themselves a favor and check this movie out.

An interesting movie based on three of Jules Verne's novels. Considering the special effects and computer enhanced animation of today, this movie stands as an historic marker of cinematic resourcefulness and imagination. Karel Zeman has brought to life the lithographic images of the original Jules Verne texts. this is a must see for classic science fiction and history buffs. I give this movie 9 out of 10. Enjoy!!

This is one film that I wish they would start showing on television again. When I was a child, I really was knocked out by the special effects. I'm a sucker for any film that combines live action with animation and this film is no exception. What really made me take notice was how the sets reminded me of the pages of a book and how the characters were almost like the illustrations come to life. This is definitely a lost classic and I hope one day that it will be shown on television once again.