Weekly Film Wreck: Around the World in 80 Days

Around the World in 80 Days is the definition of a bloated Hollywood spectacular. According to IMDB, it used (at the time) the most animals ever in one film, 140 sets, over 74,000 costumes, over 68,000 extras, shot in 13 countries, was shot for 35mm and 70mm, features a seemingly endless cavalcade of stars in cameo appearances, and clocks in at 3+ hours. If you search "Worst Best Picture Winners" in Google, you're sure to find this on nearly every list. The film is more suited to be shown at your travel agent's office than the theater (which is ironic since, as I mentioned, it's intended to be the spectacularliest of spectaculars).

I've never read the source material, but I can't imagine that Jules Verne intended each event to play out as a giant set-piece for the skills of the Mexican Renaissance man, Cantinflas. I don't mean to diminish his efforts, but one can only take so much of essentially the same thing until it becomes tedious. Phileas Fogg (David Niven), the main character mind you, is constantly pushed to the background only to watch his assistant awe seemingly everyone in the world (and a man with a name as awesome as Phileas Fogg should never be pushed to the side). How Niven could believe this is one of his best roles is beyond me.

As far as star-studded spectaculars go, I'll take It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. At least it know what it's trying to do (and is good at it, at that). As far as races around the world go, I'll take The Great Race (because seeing an evil Jack Lemmon is always fun). I was incredibly disappointed that Around the World in 80 Days failed in so many ways. I love David Niven and was looking forward to spending a few hours with him. Fortunately for all of you, the run time will prevent most of you from getting to curious about this particular bit of misery.