War Gods of the Deep

War Gods of the Deep is a British-made 1965 fantasy-adventure movie directed by Jacques Tourneur and based on a poem by Edgar Allan Poe. The film showcases a blend of thrilling undersea exploration and Victorian-era mysticism. It features famed horror actor Vincent Price, beach comedy star Tab Hunter, and versatile British actor David Tomlinson.

The movie falls within the lesser-known subgenre of underwater fantasy, a kind of science fiction that places its characters in fanciful undersea worlds unbound by the limitations of reality. The film is heavily influenced by Jules Verne's adventure fiction and H.P. Lovecraft's cosmic horror, making for a blend of styles and motifs that offers something truly unique.

In War Gods of the Deep, an intrepid American engineer named Ben Harris, portrayed by Tab Hunter, joins forces with a mild-mannered British archeologist, Harold Tufnell-Jones (David Tomlinson), to rescue his love interest, Jill (Susan Hart), from a mysterious underwater city. This strange, underwater kingdom is ruled by the enigmatic Captain Sir Hugh (Vincent Price), a man who stumbled upon the lost city ages ago and decided to rule it alongside shape-shifting sea creatures known as gill-men.

After Jill is kidnapped by the gill-men during a nocturnal attack on the coast of Cornwall, England, Ben and Harold infiltrate the underwater city with the help of a chicken who can sense impending danger, a charming touch of absurdity that adds to the movie’s charm.

The film is visually appealing, with remarkable set designs and special effects that succeeded pretty impressively for its time. As the strange undersea city comes into focus, viewers are presented with a fascinating Victorian interpretation of what an Atlantean city might look like. The sets for these underwater sequences prominently feature grottoes, caves, ancient ruins, and even a monstrous octopus, rendering the lost city all the more intriguing.

Vincent Price, renowned for his portrayals in gothic horror films, stands out in an unusual role that combines his iconic sinister persona with a sad, melancholic ruler set against the backdrop of a mysterious underwater civilization. Price's theatrical performance, varied tone, and impeccable dramatic timing serve to highlight the movie's engaging storytelling style. Tab Hunter's charming, action-oriented character and David Tomlinson's comical, blustering academic create a balanced trio, each actor complementing the others' performance in a memorable ensemble.

The movie's score, composed by Stanley Black, enhances the atmosphere of suspense and lends emotional depth to the mysterious underwater sequences. The production design is impressive, taking advantage of color cinematography that widely embraces blues and greens to symbolize the underwater city. The costuming, blending 19th-century fashion with unusual, alien styles befitting of the gill-men, is equally eye-catching, furthering the movie’s imaginative geometric settings.

Under the proficient direction of Jacques Tourneur, War Gods of the Deep delivers an engrossing cinematic experience that defies genre clichés. Despite its eccentric narrative, the film features a well-paced script peppered with elegant rhetoric and subtle wit, which culminates in a gripping climax.

At times chilling, at times amusing, and always teetering on the marvelous edge of the unbelievable, War Gods of the Deep serves up a buffet of escapism. It is a film that makes up for its straightforward, even skeletal plot with a wealth of imagination, a dash of Victorian-era aesthetic, and the commanding presence of its legendary cast.

In conclusion, War Gods of the Deep, despite its oddball mix of elements, is an endearing film that blends classic fantasy adventure features with the suspense and intrigue of pulp fiction. With its seasoned stars, evocative visuals, and unique blend of adventure and humor, the film offers an unforgettable dive into underwater fantasy. Whether you're a fan of vintage cinema, classic adventure tales, or the incomparable Vincent Price, this movie is worth exploring.