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The 3 Worlds of Gulliver

Play trailer Poster for The 3 Worlds of Gulliver 1960 1h 40m Kids & Family Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 54% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Surgeon Lemuel Gulliver wants to explore the world before his marriage to Elizabeth, despite her wishes to the contrary. He sets off on a ship, but is reunited with Elizabeth when he discovers she's hidden aboard. Their reunion doesn't last long, however. A storm leads Gulliver to a strange land inhabited by tiny people called Lilliputians. His journey then takes him to a rival land called Blefuscu, and finally to a land of giants named Brobdingnag.

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The 3 Worlds of Gulliver

Critics Reviews

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Gerri Major Jet Magazine 01/16/2024
The 3 Worlds Of Gulliver offers top entertainment for everyone from seven to 70. Adults will be delighted by the biting satire. Youngsters will be entertained by the little people and the giants. Go to Full Review
Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 08/09/2023
6/10
With special visual effects by Ray Harryhausen and incredibly fitting music by Bernard Herrmann, the film demonstrates a classic fantasy premise full of worthwhile lessons about morality and human nature. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 04/12/2023
3/4
While it’s true that this adaptation of Swift’s novel doesn’t contain the generous amount of creatures one usually finds in a Ray Harryhausen production, the visual effects genius still provides himself with quite the workout. Go to Full Review
Tim Brayton Antagony & Ecstasy 05/17/2013
7/10
Retains some scant measure of Swift's satiric intent, however distorted. Go to Full Review
Mark Bourne DVDJournal.com 04/06/2006
For a good number of fans, Bernard Herrmann's fine score is the chief appeal here. Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 10/16/2005
3/5
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Audience Reviews

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Liam D @Mediawatcher2003 08/06/2024 The most underrated movie the legendary Ray Harryhausen has ever worked on. This is the definitive adaptation of Gulliver’s Travels See more 03/21/2020 Movies are just for fun... See more 10/07/2018 It's not the best, but over all, I enjoyed it. And for being made in 1960, the special effects aren't bad. See more 07/26/2016 They may have The Avengers, Star Wars, iPads, iPhones, Apple Macs, PCs, tablets.... But those of us in the early 1960s had the 3 Worlds of Gulliver, Jason and the Argonuats, Mysterious Island, and all the other wonderful creations by Ray Harryhausen. Boy, did we have great excitement that kids today with everything at their finger tips, may not understand. Packed out Saturday matinees, cheering crowds of kids, just pure magic that will rarely come again. Superb fantasy score by Bernard Herrmann. See more 05/24/2014 A great story and never done better. See more Phil H @P-Hubbs 05/30/2013 Very very loose adaptation of the famous Gulliver's Travels children's stories by Johnathan Swift. When I say loose I mean real loose as this film covers the first voyage of Gulliver and then parts of the second. It then ignores the remaining adventures completely and goes off on its own tangent. It seems pretty accurate for the most part of what its covering from the novel, of course a lot is missing and it seems much is added or altered. Not that it matters really as the stories are probably too much for one film and what we get is a delightful family film that can't fail to entertain. The whole atmosphere and style with along with quaint visuals remind me very much of 'Hans Christian Anderson' with Danny Kaye, bright, bold, colourful, very pleasing performances and a cheerful easy going approach. Speaking of performances I was surprised I really was, there is quite a bit of nice humour in this and when I say humour I don't mean kiddie laughs, I mean adults will giggle too. Its not heavy satire or rude but just nice amusing dialog that kinda leans towards Mel Brooks type material in places, but very easy going. The famous sequence where 'Gulliver' is tied down and being overlooked by 'Lilliput' officials is a really good humoured sequence with some nice chucklesome lines and visuals. Some really amusing bickering between characters and all played out really well by the cast. Also later on when 'Gulliver' is in the land of giants ('Brobdingnag') the casting for the King and his personal magician is again very good, especially the King who such a jolly fellow. Must also mention Kerwin Matthews as 'Gulliver' who is made to measure for his role (no pun intended...or maybe it was hmm), this part fits him like a glove and he's a likeable chap too which helps. No idea who all the actors are to be honest but they are all excellent I must say. As for good old Harryhausen...well despite this film being listed on his filmography there is little here from the great animator. Just an animated squirrel and alligator and that's it, both are great of course, the alligator being the better or more fun, but they are not seen for very long so. Sparse on Harryhausen stop motion I'm afraid. I don't really see the heavy satire and various themes which are known within the original stories. Probably because much of the original material is missing or cut down, 'Gulliver's' time in Lilliput does show small hints of political satire from the Lillipit Emperor, his regime and decisions but I think this is mainly meant to be a family film. I had some reservations about the film I must admit, thought it might be too tame and childish, but it turns out to be a lovely film with some outstanding visual size effects (although obvious in technique). Don't expect anything spectacular in terms of plot or ideas, the film is very basic and plays out like a bedtime story for children. But at the same time don't let that put you off because all the charming sets, perky characters and performances will make you smile. See more Read all reviews
The 3 Worlds of Gulliver

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Movie Info

Synopsis Surgeon Lemuel Gulliver wants to explore the world before his marriage to Elizabeth, despite her wishes to the contrary. He sets off on a ship, but is reunited with Elizabeth when he discovers she's hidden aboard. Their reunion doesn't last long, however. A storm leads Gulliver to a strange land inhabited by tiny people called Lilliputians. His journey then takes him to a rival land called Blefuscu, and finally to a land of giants named Brobdingnag.
Director
Jack Sher
Producer
Charles H. Schneer
Distributor
RCA/Columbia, Columbia Pictures, Columbia Tristar
Production Co
Morningside Productions
Genre
Kids & Family, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 16, 1960, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 1, 2012
Runtime
1h 40m
Sound Mix
Stereo