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Gulliver's Travels

Where to Watch Gulliver's Travels

G
1977

Gulliver's Travels, a movie released in 1977, is a delightful interpretation of Jonathan Swift's acclaimed satirical novel by the same name. The film stars the remarkable Richard Harris in the title role, along with Catherine Schell, winner of the International Fantasy Film Award, and Norman Shelley, an accomplished actor of his time. This comedic fantasy is crafted meticulously, with enough elements of satire and humor to keep the audience entertained while effectively conveying Swift's original narrative.

Set in the 18th century, Gulliver's Travels unravels the story of Lemuel Gulliver, an English surgeon aboard a ship, portrayed compellingly by Richard Harris. As fate would have it, a violent storm leaves Gulliver shipwrecked on the shores of Lilliput. The inhabitants of the land, who are tiny in comparison to Gulliver, treat him with suspicion and initially restrain him. Gulliver embarks on his journey here, venturing into the unseen world of the minuscule Lilliputians, navigating his way through unexpected troubles and forming unusual friendships along his journey.

While the storyline focuses on Gulliver's interactions with Lilliput, it also delves deeper into his experiences on the Island of Brobdingnag, the Land of the Giants. Gulliver's size, which made him a giant in Lilliput, turns out to be laughably minuscule in Brobdingnag, facing a completely different set of challenges than those in Lilliput. The movie, through its contrasting scenarios, appears to tell a tale about size relativity – Gulliver’s size varies according to his location, and yet his character, wits, and morality remain constant.

Portrayed by the talented Catherine Schell, Queen of Brobdingnag initially views Gulliver as an amusing plaything, only to later find out his intelligence and wit. Gloriana's character brings out human curiosity and capability of sophistication in her interactions with Gulliver.

Gulliver's travel further goes into the floating Island of Laputa and the land of Houyhnhnm, where horses ruled, and humans were savage creatures named Yahoos. The adventures of Gulliver and his interactions with the people in these distinctive lands fabulously showcase Swift's wit and brilliant imagination.

Richard Harris completely embodies the character of Gulliver, bringing a certain level of charm and ingenuity to the role. His character is honest, trustworthy, intelligent, and brave, making it easier for the audience to sympathize with his journey. Harris’s performance lends authenticity to his character’s self-reflective journey, making the audience contemplate the societal structures of their own world.

Richard Fleischer, the film's director, proficiently utilizes the medium to highlight Swift's satire and brilliance. He succeeds in crafting dialed-back humor while surfacing the deeper, complex themes of size, power dynamics, and human nature from Swift's classic tale. Interestingly, Fleischer did not limit the narrative to straightforward interpretations. He unambiguously treaded into Swift's political and societal satire, making the movie hold relevance even in today's world.

Besides the strong performance from Harris, the movie also benefits from contrasting performances by Catherine Schell and Norman Shelley. Schell, who plays Queen of Brobdingnag, provides a nuanced, yet powerful, performance as the curious queen, whereas Norman Shelley gives a marvellous performance as a comical character in the movie.

The movie, with its imaginative set pieces and costumes, sweeps the audience into a fantasy world. The cinematic techniques utilized blend surrealism and realism, magnifying the strange and atypical worlds of Lilliput, Brobdingnag, Laputa, and Houyhnhnm.

Fans of classic literature, satirical comedy, and fantasy genre, along with those who enjoy pondering deeper societal issues, would find Gulliver's Travels a joyful ride. Amongst the landscape of films in the late '70s, Gulliver's Travels stands out not just because of its remarkable cast and interpretation of Swift's work, but also for the engrossing journey it takes its audience on, beyond the realms of everyday life and into colorful, whimsical worlds filled with potential for self-reflection and realisation about what it means to be civilized or savage. Beware – once you embark on this journey with the stout-hearted and witty Gulliver, your perspective on the world might just change!

Gulliver's Travels is a Fantasy, Kids & Family, Animation movie released in 1977. Critics and viewers have rated it moderate reviews, with an IMDb score of 5.4..

5.4/10