Around the World in 80 Days

Annotation for KRRR! 2019

Around the World in 80 Days was released in 1956 by producer Mike Todd and directed by Michael Anderson. The Oscar­‑winning film is not only a very early 70mm film, but also has an unprecedentedly high budget. On the screen, we can see one hundred and twelve locations from thirteen countries, a huge number of extras and several dozen film stars of the time in honorary, so­‑called "cameo" roles (e. g. Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich, George Ralph or the legend of silent film Buster Keaton). The film was based on the adventure novel of the same name by the French writer Jules Verne, who was otherwise famous mainly for his fantastic works. However, the filmmakers partially changed his original work, as is the case in the first part with the hot air balloon trip. As the title suggests, the story follows Phileas Fogg's journey around the world in 80 days. The journey begins in London, when it emerges from the hero's bet with other members of the Reform Club that it is really possible to travel the world during this time. Fogg is initially accompanied only by his new servant Passepartout, but their company expands over time… At every step, however, he is followed by Inspector Fix, who considers him a criminal who robbed the Bank of England during his departure. Fogg must therefore overcome not only the unexpected hardships of the journey itself, but also the pitfalls of Fix…

The sweeping film narrative at first glance follows primarily the scheme of travel, but it does so with the help of a number of different genres. The story is not only adventurous, it is also developed with a romantic line and comic scenes. In some sequences, it approaches action films and, for a change, in American territory it even works with the narrative techniques and iconography of film westerns. The similarly structured structure highlights the qualities of the 70mm format, which uses large units to depict diverse landscapes, sometimes made special by the choice of a fisheye lens. Incidentally, the film's cinematographer Lionel Lindon won an Oscar for his work, but it didn't stop there. Around the World in 80 Days also won Academy Awards for editing, music, adapted screenplay, and most importantly, the most valuable one for best film of the year.

Veronika Podlipná