Plot
Master of the World was adapted by Richard Matheson from two Jules Verne novels, Robur le Conquerant (1896) and its sequel, Maitre du Monde (1904)--with more than a little of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea thrown in. Set in 1868, the story is galvanized by an ominous warning of impending doom, delivered in a disembodied but resonent voice from a huge mountain just outside Morgantown, Pennsylvania. Hoping to find the source of the warning, the members of the Weldon Balloon Society, headed by munitions manufacturer Prudence (Henry Hull), send a motorized balloon to investigate. Also aboard Prudence's balloon is his daughter Dorothy (Mary Webster), her fiance Philip (David Frankham), and taciturn pilot Strock (Charles Bronson). Before long, the little party is captured by the brilliant but unbalanced Robur (Vincent Price), captain of the gigantic, state-of-the-art airship "Albatross." Robur explains that he is a man of peace, and that he is using his huge airship to wipe out all warfare by obliterating every weapon of mass destruction on earth--and never mind that a few innocent bystanders may also be killed in the process. Admiring Robur's intentions if not his methods, Strock bypasses every opportunity to stop the madman in his tracks, and for this he is branded a coward by the hotheaded Philip, sparking a battle of words and fists that will persist throughout the film. Meanwhile, Robur attacks such strategic military locations as Paris, Madrid and North Africa (courtesy of stock footage from other films), and as the carnage continues, Prudence renounces his war-profiteering ways. As for Strock, his admiration for Robur does not prevent him from a desperate climactic effort to rescue Prudence, Dorothy and Philip by planting a time bomb in the "Albatross"--a bomb that very well may go off before the "good guys" get off. ~ Hal Erickson, RoviReview
One of the numerous Jules Verne projects that followed in the wake of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Master of the World is superficially similar to that undersea adventure but is far from a slavish imitation. Both films share a madman genius with a sophisticated weapon and an idea about using this weapon against those who would create war, but Master does rather more with it. Scenarist Richard Matheson provides some nifty variations on this theme and while the results are hardly what one could profound, they do serve the purpose of initiating a discussion around the issue among viewers. Matheson's dialogue, though artificial, has flavor and verve to it, and he knows how to construct a screenplay solidly. William Witney's direction is a tad pedestrian for the material, but it certainly gets the job done, and he knows how to play up the adventure elements in a gratifying manner. Master also benefits from two captivating performances from Vincent Price and Charles Bronson. Price rises to the high dramatic demands of the part as needed, but he alternates with some wonderfully restrained moments that are quite engaging. Bronson may be a trifle too hard to read for some, but his withheld emotions are in keeping with the character and add to the enigmatic quality which keeps the viewer guessing just whose side he is on. The supporting cast, however, is not on the same level, ranging from bland to annoying. Special effects are also variable, with the ship itself quite impressive but many other effects slipshod, and with an over-reliance on inappropriate stock footage. ~ Craig Butler, RoviCast
- Vincent Price - Robur
- Charles Bronson - Strock
- Henry Hull - Prudent
- Mary Webster - Dorothy
- David Frankham - Philip
Credit
Daniel Haller - Associate Producer, Bartlett A. Carre - Associate Producer, Anthony Carras - Co-producer, Marjorie D. Corso - Costume Designer, Robert Agnew - First Assistant Director, William Witney - Director, Anthony Carras - Editor, Les Baxter - Composer (Music Score), Fred Phillips - Makeup, Daniel Haller - Production Designer, Kay Norton - Cinematographer, Gilbert Warrenton - Cinematographer, Bartlett A. Carre - Production Manager, Samuel Z. Arkoff - Producer, James H. Nicholson - Producer, Harry Reif - Set Designer, Tim Barr - Special Effects, Ray Mercer - Special Effects, Gene Warren - Special Effects, Wah Chang - Special Effects, Richard Matheson - Screenwriter, Jules Verne - Short Story Author| Master of the World (1935 Film), Master of the Range (1928 Film) | |
| Master of the World (1976 Film), Masterclass with Menuhin (1989 Film) |
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