The 3 Worlds of Gulliver
A fantasy adventure based on Swift's classic novel.
The 3 Worlds of Gulliver is a 1960 American Eastmancolor fantasy adventure film loosely based on Jonathan Swift's 1726 novel Gulliver's Travels. Directed by Jack Sher, it stars Kerwin Mathews as Gulliver and features stop-motion animation and special visual effects by Ray Harryhausen. The film was shot in England and Spain.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Jack Sher
- Producer
- Charles H. Schneer
- Based on
- Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift
- Writer
- Arthur Ross; Jack Sher
- Starring
- Kerwin Mathews
- June Thorburn
- Basil Sydney
- Sherry Alberoni
- Music
- Bernard Herrmann
- Cinematography
- Wilkie Cooper
- Editing
- Raymond Poulton
Facts from the source article.
Plot
In 1699, Dr. Lemuel Gulliver, an English physician, seeks riches as a ship's doctor. His fiancée Elizabeth stows away to be near him, but a storm sweeps him overboard. He washes ashore on Lilliput, a land of tiny humans themed on the Middle East. The Lilliputians tie him down, but he eases their fears with acts of kindness, gaining the emperor's trust while earning the envy of Finance Minister Flimnap. Interior Minister Reldresal, who intends to marry Gwendoline, competes with Flimnap for prime minister via acrobatics; Gulliver helps Reldresal win by foiling Flimnap's assassins. Flimnap exposes Reldresal helping Gwendoline and her father, Lord Bermogg, leading to Reldresal's arrest. Gulliver frees him and learns of Lilliput's war with Blefuscu over which end of an egg to cut. Gulliver takes Blefuscu's warships to end the war, but the emperor grows jealous and angry when Gulliver refuses to destroy Blefuscu. A wildfire endangers the palace; Gulliver puts it out with wine but ruins the empress's dress. The emperor orders his execution, but Gulliver escapes in a boat he had built.
Production
The project began with a script by Arthur Ross, who with producer Elliot Lewis pitched a fantasy film combining the Lilliput and Brobdingnag stories to NBC. The script was approved but died due to a Writers Guild strike. Jack Sher then became attached as producer at Universal. Charles Schneer said Bryan Foy developed the property at Columbia; when Foy moved to Warner Bros., Ben Kahane gave the project to Schneer. Ross and Sher rewrote the script. In October 1958, Schneer announced he would produce Gulliver's Travels, directed by Sher, with Columbia distributing. Sher said the budget was insufficient. The film was shot in Spain and featured 150 trick sequences. It was the second film using Harryhausen's Dynamation process. The oldest surviving Harryhausen model from the film is the squirrel, obtained from a taxidermist; the original armatures model of the crocodile was lost. Kerwin Mathews said Columbia wanted Jack Lemmon for the lead, but Lemmon turned it down. Schneer said Sher wanted Lemmon but Columbia did not, considering him a comedy actor; Kerwin was the only other choice. Jo Morrow starred while also appearing in Our Man in Havana and had an affair with Sher during filming. Schneer later said Sher lacked experience and that he, Wilkie Cooper, and Ray Harryhausen effectively directed the camera. The premiere was a benefit for charity attended by Princess Margaret.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who stars in The 3 Worlds of Gulliver?
The 3 Worlds of Gulliver stars Kerwin Mathews, June Thorburn, Basil Sydney and Sherry Alberoni.
When was The 3 Worlds of Gulliver released?
The 3 Worlds of Gulliver was released on 16 December 1960.
Who composed the music for The 3 Worlds of Gulliver?
The music for The 3 Worlds of Gulliver was composed by Bernard Herrmann.
How long is The 3 Worlds of Gulliver?
The 3 Worlds of Gulliver has a running time of 100 minutes.
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