A Movie that is a Constant Reminder of its Limitations. While Simultaneously Looking Charming and Cheap it Plods along with a Strong Character in Robur (Vincent Price) and an even Stronger Premise (Anti-War). Jules Verne was Somewhat of a Rage in Hollywood at the Time, but most of the Movies are Fairly Forgettable Today. They are Somewhat Anachronistic Costume Cinema going for a Youth Audience mostly, but were, for the Majority, rather Flat and only Mildly Interesting Considering the Fantastic Subject Matter.This one is Colorful and Occasionally Entertaining but Never Compelling. It is Forever Hampered by its only Mid-Range Budget and Flat Storytelling. Some Scenes are Worth a Look for some Retro-Retention. Using a lot of Back Projection and Stock Footage the Movie is Lackluster but not without its Energetic Half-Hearted Attempt at some Thrills.If Screened Back to Back with Harryhausen's Mysterious Island (made the same year), this one Stands Still and it Pales in Comparison. Not without some Viewing Interest it Remains as it was in 1961. Disappointing.

Vincent Price does his usual great B+ movie acting in this movie. The special effects were pretty lame in this film, obviously painted scenes for a lot of the background. The missiles that shoot down the blimp(?) are so fake that it isn't funny. The acting is generally sub par. The plot is obviously from a much earlier writing, (Jules Verne wrote the book). Charles Bronson may have been the best actor in this film, but not by that much. I will admit that the outside views of the air ship make it look very cool. I do wonder about the physics of the air ship with all the ornate decorations, the weight of all the ordinance, the crew, etc. Seems like a lot of poundage for the vessel, especially if it is made from paper (no matter how tough the paper). Where did Price get the money, the science, and the crew for this contraption? Now how many bombs does the ship carry? Where did they get them and how come so many? This a watchable movie because of Vincent Price and the Jules Verne story line but if not for that it would not be.

Enjoyable low-budget romp based off of the Jules Verne novels Robur the Conqueror and Master of the World, but, oddly, using only the second one's title. Vincent Price stars as self-proclaimed "master of the world" Robur, inventor of a giant flying zeppelin named the Albatross, who abducts Charles Bronson's stoic police inspector and Henry Hull's blustery balloonist and his daughter, played by the fetching and strong-willed Mary Webster. Also along for the ride is Webster's idiotic, cowardly fiancé played by David Frankham who does nothing but whine and be a jerk.The screenplay by Richard Matheson is on the talky side with little in the way of action, but it's intelligently written and has some extremely quotable scenes. Prince really sinks his teeth into the part of the determined and passionate Robur, providing a less manic and composed alternative to James Mason's intense Captain Nemo in Disney's earlier 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.Although Matheson insisted Charles Bronson was "miscast" as John Strock, he does his best in a pretty basic hero role that just calls for him to be square-jawed, stoic and punch henchmen. The stoic and square-jawed Bronson is perfect for punching henchmen, so I'm unsure what Matheson is talking about. His cool, quiet demeanor acts as a nice counterbalance to Price's more animated, over the top (but still enjoyable) performance.Mary Webster's Dorothy is little more than someone for Bronson and Frankham to fight over and for Hull to act protective toward, but nevertheless, she does have an arc, albeit a pretty standard one, wherein she finds the guts to stand up to wimpy heel Frankham's Phillip and choose the manlier Strock. This just leaves Henry Hull. Many viewers complain that he overacts in his role as Dorothy's father, but, frankly, that's what makes his role so enjoyable. He's hilarious and provides much better comic relief than Vito Scotti's horrific performance as the Albatross' resident "French" chef. His dinner table debate with Price as Robur is one of the film's best scenes.Add a few steampunk sci-fi elements like a cool giant airship and "futuristic" flintlock pistols (basically just embellished with some added on silver parts) and you've got yourself a pretty solid, but not great, movie. The only thing that sinks it is its low budget which necessitates the over reliance on stock footage. Beyond this, I found it just as enjoyable as the earlier Verne epics Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Fox's Journey to the Center of the Earth.

I remember seeing this escapist gem, "Master of the World" (1961)after Sunday School one morning when I was 10 or 11. I loved it! AIP's Big Gun, Vincent Price is a thoughtful & gentlemanly, I'll call him, anti-hero rather than bad guy or madman. This is because while he does indeed blow up ships, killing countless men, he's on a quest to end war and thus, the only people he kills are those who make war.Thinking back, this film's presentation of its writer, Jules Verne's, anti-war philosophy may have made a rather large impression upon me as I started reading about our war in a far-off place called Vietnam, circa 1965 or 1965. Who knows? Anyway, this is a rare motion picture: a serious American International Picture (AIP) film with a serious message.The film provides Charles Bronson with one of his earliest leading man/hero roles. He handles the role perfectly.Director William Whitney, who began his career directing Republic cliffhanger serials; and legendary horror/sci-fi/fantasy writer/screenwriter Richard Matheson and their cast play it seriously - as it should be played, the exception coming via Vito Scotti's fun, harried cook. AIP's in-house music director Les Baxter's score is also appropriate for the action.The special effects team (Tim Baar, Wah Chang, Pat Dinga,Gene Warren) do very nicely working within AIP's usual '60s budget constraints.The movie flows, it entertains, it even makes you think. This is a good movie!