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Category Archives: MOVIES
In Harms Way 1965
John Brosnan in his excellent book,Movie Magic (McDonald and Janes 1974), quotes from an interview Andrew Sarris conducted with the film’s director Otto Preminger in Hollywood voices, where he claims; “I had originally hired a famous expert for these models. … Continue reading
Krakatoa east of Java 1969
Nominated Oscar Special Effects (1970) Eugene Lourie, famous for directing a number of classic B-movie monster movies in the fifties, was also an accomplished art director and special effects director. He art directed and directed the special effects miniature work … Continue reading
A couple of Bogart Films – All Through the Night (1941) , Across the Pacific (1942)
All Through the Night (1941) This movie, about soft hearted gangsters that defeat some Nazi fifth columnists is peppered with some very funny lines and a climax featuring a short miniature boat sequence. Bogart’s character is forced at gunpoint by … Continue reading
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea 1954
Won oscar for best Special Effects (1955). Probably the most recognised submarine shape ever, fictional or otherwise, was the Nautilus designed for Disney’s 20 000 Under the Sea by Harper Goff. One of the first models built for the film … Continue reading
Posted in MOVIES
Tagged 20000 leagues, miniatures, model ship, Nautilus, Ralph Hammeras, special effects
3 Comments
Operation Pacific 1951
A pretty unremarkable John Wayne movie about dud torpedoes. Varied quality miniature effects, most close ups suffering from poor depth of focus. Many shots taken from much earlier films and exhibiting an obvious grainy quality. A particularly odd over use … Continue reading
Posted in MOVIES
Tagged John Wayne. visual effects, koenekamp, model ships, movie miniatures, Operation Pacific, submarine
2 Comments
The Cruel Sea 1953
A very good book by Nicholas Monserrat, adapted with care into a very fine British film about the Corvette service during World War two. The Miniature effects are varied in quality, but for the most part depict the action well. … Continue reading
Posted in MOVIES
Tagged British cinema, Compass Rose, Corvette, Cruel Sea, miniatures, model ships, special effects
1 Comment
Fortunes of Captain Blood 1950
A B movie with some of the best model ship effects of the period. Based on the book Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini and a remake of sorts of Captain Blood filmed in 1935 with Errol Flynn. Many of the … Continue reading
Das Boot 1981
Das Boot is without a doubt, the most realistic and immersive submarine movie yet made. Up untill this film, the Submarine movie genre was pretty comfortable, descended into well worn cliche. This movie which was made as TV mini series … Continue reading
Posted in MOVIES
Tagged battle of the Atlantic, Das Boot, miniatures, model ships, special effects, submarine, U boat
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