MovieChat Forums > The Atomic Submarine (1959) Discussion > An Obscure Predecessor to 'Voyage to Bot...

An Obscure Predecessor to 'Voyage to Bottom of the Sea'

posted 18 years ago by windjammer777-1
7 replies | jump to latest

"Atomic Submarine" had definite plot similarities to the 1960s Sci Fi classic series - "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea". The typical Atomic Age Sci Fi featured Earth vs Hostile Aliens battling on Earth or in Outer Space. But, why not battle predatory and hostile extra-terrestials within the Earth's oceans? The ocean is "Inner Space". In the "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea series", Admiral Nelson and the super sub Seaview certainly encountered their share of undersea flying saucers. (I noticed the same flying saucer from "The Day the Earth Stood Still" in about 6 "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea episodes" -"smiling") Yes,it's low budget - (smiling). I grew up in the early 1960s - "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" was an after school treat then. And it's no question, "Atomic Submarine" is a forerunner to "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" - both pilot movie and series.

[–] sherlock-37 18 years ago

What episodes would you recommend? There are a pile of seasons out, 4? I also liked the Voyage series, and especially the theme music.

Doug
Toronto

[–] davidemartin 17 years ago

It's amazing what the difference of a couple years and a helluva bigger budget can do when comparing AS and VttBotS. Both were inspired by the USS Nautilus but one can tell Irwin Allen was well aware of AS when he created his film and series. The Lungfish, the self-propelled bathysphere carried aboard the USS Tigershark, was clearly the spark for the minisubs and Flying Sub carried by the USS Seaview. And the USS Tigershark's convenient onboard staff of scientists was reflected by the presence of similar characters aboard the USS Seaview.

[–] trf100 16 years ago

I just saw this movie last night.

What I thought of was the original TV Star Trek. A crew of talented individuals working together exploring and then discovering a hostile alien. And in turn having to combat it and destroy it.

[–] davidemartin 16 years ago

Good insight, trf100! The comparison had not occured to me but now that you've pointed it out, it makes lots of sense.

[–] tomtac 14 years ago

I did see that. The "away team" checking things out, junior members getting bumped off as they draw their weapons...

But next to this alien, all the Star Trek aliens are kind of mellow.

(And ... is it just me, or does this alien closely resemble a piece of human excrement with tentacles?)

[–] babettegillette 11 years ago

VTTBORS was very good the first year and declined thereafter.

[–] darkness_surroundz 8 years ago

i always thought "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" was more the inspiration for VOYAGE...both even had Peter Lorre