Around The World In Eighty Days (1956) United Artists Director: Michael Anderson Producer: Michael Todd Cast: David Niven, Cantinflas, Robert Newton, Shirley MacLaine. Awards ceremony: -29th Academy Awards: March 27, 1957. RKO Pantages Theatre, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California & NBC Century Theatre, New York City, New York. Other films nominated for Best Motion Picture this year: -Friendly Persuasion. -Giant. -The King And I. -The Ten Commandments. Plot summary: A pedantic English gentleman named Phileas Fogg (DAVID NIVEN) accepts a wager for him to circumnavigate the world inside eighty days. Along the way he and his assistant use various methods of transportation including a hot air balloon, train and boat whilst traveling through several countries en route. Together they rescue an Indian princess from certain death by stupid ritual in a dense jungle; are witness to an extremely boring bullfight; find themselves in a saloon filled with Oscar-winning actors, and endure an attack from some pissed-off Indians. As the clock ticks down to the 80th day, Phileas arrives back in London just before the deadline to claim the win. Standout scene: To be fair I don't think there was any one single standout scene in the entire movie. It kind of just flowed along, taking in the stunning scenery and delivering its story. Facts: -The 29th Academy Awards. -Nominated for 8 Academy Awards, it won 5: Best Film, Best Writing/Screenplay (adapted), Best Music Score (dramatic or comedy picture), Best Cinematography, Best Editing. -The first Best Picture winner to be both in colour and in widescreen. -The first of three Best Picture winners to feature Shirley MacLaine (the other two were The Apartment and Terms Of Endearment). Personal opinion: The film won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography and it's not hard to see why! As for the overall movie it is quite average albeit with some jaw-dropping scenes featuring various locations and with glorious frame-filled Technicolor. One question I asked myself was just how many extras were employed to take part in this movie? Look out for some really surprising cameos from some pretty famous stars, and a Stand By Me-esque sequence on a trestle bridge with the train. Some of the plot was ludicrous, long and laughable, but at other times it is breathtaking and stunning. The budget must have been astronomical. One last observation: towards the end when Phileas gets in the horse-drawn carriage in order to get to the club on time, the guy driving the horse suddenly develops the hic-cups. He just came off as looking and sounding like an idiot. Above average film, but only because of that incredible photography and direction. Did it deserve the Oscar? YES. 6½/10

Review date: 04 March 2025