Pretty Good

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Been years since I've seen this gem and recently watched it again. I find this one a fun and nice science fiction fantasy. Not true to the writings of Edgar Allan Poe - just loosely based on his work - but it is a neat film. There are a couple of references to Poe and his name is mentioned specifically but that's about the only connection.Vincent Price is always great to watch - this film is no exception. The character Captain Sir Hugh is a mysterious man who runs "the city in the sea". He has plenty of help along with gill-men guards that patrol the waters. He has found the key to long life - the "fountain of youth" in a way - under the sea.This one is a worthwhile watch if you are into Vincent Price, sci-fi, fantasy and films with underwater themes.8/10

In Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (1959) there's Pat Boone and a Duck...In Edgar Allan Poe's "City In the Sea" there's Tab Hunter and a Chicken. Both Boone and Hunter and Duck and Chicken do Nothing but Cause Cringes and Sink Both Films to the Bottom of Their Respective Environment.In This One Vincent Price is On Hand to Do Some Poe Readings and Dialog Readings Like He has Somewhere or Something Else On His Mind (perhaps adding to His Art Collection). He Shows Up in One Shoddy Looking Costume and Never Makes Another Trip to Wardrobe.The Movie, While At Times has Some Impressive Sets, at Other Times the Movie Looks Cramped and Dull. The Film Fluctuates Like that from Beginning to End. It Impresses and Then Disappoints Regularly.The Director Tourneur Fought the Producers and Lost on Some of the More Embarrassing and Lackluster Things and Overall the End Product was a Lot Less than its Parts. The Underwater Chase Scenes are Slow and Boring and the Comedy Relief with the Chicken is just Intolerable.Overall, Worth a Watch with the Lowest of Expectations for Some of the Sets and Visuals and a Peek-A-Boo Look See at Some Hammer Inspired Cleavage.

Undersea adventure is reminiscent of "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" (complete with a feathered friend named Herbert) and "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea", when Hunter and Tomlinson venture into a mysterious subterranean lair after their female companion (Hart) is abducted and taken captive by an aquatic man-best (looking much like the gill-man from "Creatures from the Black Lagoon"). They soon encounter an underwater civilisation led by the maniacal doctor (Vincent Price), obsessed by a painting of a mysterious woman, and with a somewhat reluctant crew who have inadvertently discovered a fountain of youth. But the city is rocked by frequent volcanic shocks that threaten to sink the undersea world.Inferior retread of the formula undersea sci-fi adventure features pedestrian performances by a capable cast that also includes John Le Mesurier as a long-held captive rector, who has seemingly lost the incentive to contemplate escape, let alone survive the impending volcanic disaster.Widescreen underwater inserts look photographically disjointed, and there's even a brief scene in which a member of the crew in scuba diving apparatus is clearly visible above a pair of agitated gill men. A rousing finale somewhat redeems the picture, but it was too little, too late in my opinion. Dated effort might still appeal to older kids, and mercifully at barely 80 minutes, it narrowly avoids becoming a soporific experience.

A lost city beneath the sea is discovered off the coast of Cornwall. Vincent Price is the captain overseeing a group of sailors who have lived there for more than a century where the peculiar mix of gases has allowed them to extend their lifespan.Allegedly, Vincent Price didn't see the script until six days before shooting began. He does not show up until 25 minutes into the film, and is not the main character. If you came to this film to see Price, you will, just do not expect him to carry the picture.This one is as beautiful as any of the AIP films, despite not being well known, and having a plot that might leave some disappointed (it is, after all, a take off on the Atlantis legend mixed with "Creature From the Black Lagoon", but maybe not a smooth mixture). I thought the atmosphere really carried the picture, personally.The female lead is gorgeous, though she appears far too briefly, and I like the concept of ultraviolet rays causing shorter lifespans, along with the negative consequences of immortality (forever is a long time).The film is sometimes called "War Gods of the Deep", and sometimes takes the title of a Poe poem, "The City Under the Sea", and attempted to exploit the Poe films trend, even though the only connection is a recitation of the poem at the end. Since "City" is not one of Poe's well-known poems, this probably was not a problem.Again, this movie is apparently not well known, as it does not appear in any of my reference books. And that is a shame. It has a good horror/sci-fi feel to it, beautifully shot, and stars Vincent Price. Deserves a lot more recognition than it has received, and I hope more people come to discover it.