A massive underwater volcano erupts and puts a group of investigative scientists in danger. They are rescued by an atomic super submarine named The Alpha under the command of Captain McKenzie. The group is quickly taken to a vast underwater city known as Latitude Zero, a fantastic, Atlantean type utopia, a world beneath the ocean with its own sun. It is soon discovered that Captain McKenzie is at war with the evil Dr. Malic, a cruel scientist who wishes to rule mankind all the while conducting genetic experiments on humans and animals. Malic sends his agents to kidnap Dr. Okada, a human scientist who has created a serum that can immunize exposure to radiation.
Practical Effects
Miniature cityscapes and submarine models are genuinely stunning.
Costume
Dr. Malic's absurd metallic skullcap and cape combo.
Production
Bilingual Japan-US coproduction chaos on full display.
Director
Ishirō Honda
Joseph Cotten
Capt. Craig McKenzie / Cmdr. Glenn McKenzie
Cesar Romero
Dr. Malic / Lt. Hastings
Akira Takarada
Dr. Ken Tashiro
Masumi Okada
Dr. Jules Masson
Richard Jaeckel
Perry Lawton
Patricia Medina
Lucretia
Mari Nakayama
Tsuruko Okada
Akihiko Hirata
Dr. Sugata
Tetsu Nakamura
Dr. Okada
Linda Haynes
Dr. Anne Barton
Susumu Kurobe
Chin
Haruo Nakajima
Griffon / Giant Rat / Bat Man
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Joseph Cotten and Cesar Romero filmed their scenes in Hollywood while the Japanese cast shot in Tokyo, with Honda matching everything in editing.
This Toho-Warner Bros. coproduction was Honda's attempt to break into international markets after Destroy All Monsters, but it flopped everywhere.
JP
