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Captain Nemo
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Real name Prince Dakkar
Captain Nemo /ˈniːmoʊ/ (Latin for "Nobody")—also known as Prince Dakkar—is a fictional character invented by the French science fiction author Jules Verne (1828–1905). Nemo appears in two of Verne's novels, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870) and The Mysterious Island (1874), a cameo appearance in Verne's play Journey Through the Impossible (1882).
Nemo, one of the best known antiheroes in fiction, is a mysterious figure. The son of an Indian Raja, he is a scientific genius who roams the depths of the sea in his submarine, the Nautilus, which was built in pieces all over the world and shipped to the builder. Nemo tries to project a stern, controlled confidence, but he is driven by a thirst for vengeance and a hatred of imperialism focused on the British Empire. He is also wracked by remorse over the deaths of his crew members and even by the deaths of enemy sailors.
Nemo has appeared in various adaptations of Verne's novels, including films, where he has been portrayed by a number of different actors. He has also been adopted by other authors for inclusion in their novels, most notably in Alan Moore's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Philip José Farmer's The Other Log of Phileas Fogg.
Biography
Nothing concerning his past is revealed in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, except his dislike of imperialism (and of British imperial society more generally) and the apparent loss of his family in the past.In The Mysterious Island, Captain Nemo identifies himself as Prince Dakkar, son of the Hindu Raja of Bundelkund, and also a descendant of the Muslim Sultan Fateh Ali Tipu of the Kingdom of Mysore, famous for the Anglo-Mysore Wars. After the First Indian War of Independence of 1857, in which Dakkar lost his family and his kingdom, he devoted himself to scientific research and developed the Nautilus, wherein he and a crew of followers cruise the seas. They gather bullion from various shipwrecks in the oceans, most notably the wrecks of the Spanish treasure fleet in Bay of Vigo, sunk during the Battle of Vigo Bay. He claims to have no interest in the affairs of the world above, but occasionally he intervenes to aid the oppressed, such as by giving salvaged treasure to participants in the Cretan Revolt (1866-1869) against the island's Turkish rulers and by saving (both physically and financially) a Ceylonese or Tamil pearl hunter from a diving accident, or by saving the castaways from drowning in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and covertly protecting another set of castaways in The Mysterious Island.
Like many actual Indian princes of the era, Nemo had a European or English education, in which (he states) he spent his youth studying and touring Europe. In his first meeting with Professor Aronnax and his companions, they speak to him in French, English, Latin and German; Nemo later reveals that he is fluent in all of these. Aronnax comments that Nemo's French was perfect, and relies on his intuition and knowledge of ethnology to infer that he was from southern latitudes; but is unable to determine his origin. The Nautilus's library and art collection reveal Nemo to be familiar with European culture and arts. Further, he was an accomplished player of the organ.
Nemo is said to have died of old age, on board the Nautilus, at Dakkar Grotto on Lincoln Island in the South Pacific. Funeral rites were administered by Cyrus Smith, one of the castaways protected by Nemo himself, and his vessel was then submerged in the waters of the grotto.
Best films
Played by the actors
Filmography of Captain Nemo (12 films)
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Mysterious Island (2010)
Directed by Mark Sheppard
Genres Science fiction, Adventure, Horror
Themes Seafaring films, Transport films, Pirate films, Films based on science fiction novels, Political films
Actors Gina Holden, Mark Sheppard, William Morgan Sheppard, Pruitt Taylor Vince, John Evermore, Lochlyn Munro
Rating35%
During the American Civil War, five northern POWs escape by hijacking a hot air balloon. Drifting through the night, they awaken to find themselves marooned on a desert island, but they are not alone.
30,000 Leagues Under The Sea (2007)
, 1h30Origin USA
Genres Science fiction, Action, Adventure
Themes Seafaring films, Transport films, Underwater action films, Submarine films, Pirate films, Films based on science fiction novels
Actors Lorenzo Lamas, Sean Lawlor, Kerry Washington
Rating28%
In this modern retelling of the classic science-fiction tale, Captain Nemo uses his high-tech submarine to wreak vengeance on the surface world.
Mysterious Island (2005)
, 2h52Directed by Russell Mulcahy
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Themes Seafaring films, Transport films, Pirate films, Films based on science fiction novels, Political films
Actors Kyle MacLachlan, Gabrielle Anwar, Patrick Stewart, Roy Marsden, Jason Durr, Omar Gooding
Rating44%
During the Civil War six survivors escape from a prison camp in Richmond, Virginia by hot air balloon and find themselves on an uncharted island in the Pacific. Far from any kind of known civilization, the island is inhabited by carnivorous giant monsters, bloodthirsty pirates, and mad genius Captain Nemo (Patrick Stewart), who lives on the island for his own secretive ends. When Smith is rescued from drowning by Nemo's remaining crewman, he talks with Nemo about his role in the war and the atrocities committed by Nemo in his younger days, the rest of his group must try and survive without him, which becomes more difficult when one of them is eaten by a giant mantis. As Helen discovers a gold medallion with a strange map on it, Nemo tries to convince Smith to remain in his compound, but Smith refuses to abandon his friends to the island, convincing Nemo and Joseph to track and rescue the rest of the survivors from a giant ant... unaware that pirate Captain Bob Harvey is coming to the island, looking for a lost treasure said to be hidden on the island.
, 1h50Directed by Stephen Norrington
Origin USA
Genres Science fiction, Thriller, Fantasy, Action
Themes Films set in Africa, Films about magic and magicians, Seafaring films, Transport films, Underwater action films, Submarine films, Films based on science fiction novels, Superhero films, Vampires in film, Steampunk films, Alternate history films, Super-héros inspiré de comics, Children's films
Actors Sean Connery, Naseeruddin Shah, Peta Wilson, Tony Curran, Stuart Townsend, Shane West
Rating58%
In 1899, men dressed as German soldiers, using a large armored vehicle and wielding machine guns, attacked the Bank of England and stole Leonardo da Vinci’s layouts of Venice’s foundations. Shortly after, led by their leader the “Fantom”, men dressed as British officers, again using highly advanced technology for the time, kidnapped German scientists and destroyed a factory, causing tension between the United Kingdom and Germany, which could lead to an international war. Sanderson Reed (Tom Goodman-Hill) of the British Empire ventures to Kenya, visiting a Gentleman's club to recruit world-renowned hunter and adventurer Allan Quatermain (Sean Connery). Quatermain, retired and mourning the loss of his son after his last adventure, has no interest in serving the British Empire further. After armed men attempt to assassinate Quatermain, he is left with no-other choice but to agree to go with Reed to London and meet with Reed's superior officer to help keep the threat of a war from spilling into Africa.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1997)
, 2h38Directed by Rod Hardy
Genres Science fiction, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Themes Seafaring films, Transport films, Underwater action films, Submarine films, Pirate films, Films based on science fiction novels
Actors Michael Caine, Patrick Dempsey, Mia Sara, Bryan Brown, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kerry Armstrong
Rating55%
L'année 1886 est marquée par des événements mystérieux survenus en mer : une créature étrange et gigantesque, que les meilleurs scientifiques ne peuvent identifier, s'attaque aux navires en transperçant leur coque.
The Mysterious Island (1973)
, 1h36Directed by Henri Colpi, Juan Antonio Bardem
Genres Science fiction, Adventure
Themes Seafaring films, Transport films, Pirate films, Films based on science fiction novels, Political films
Actors Omar Sharif, Jess Hahn, Philippe Nicaud, Gerard Tichy, Gabriele Tinti, Rik Battaglia
Rating57%
Tandis que la guerre de Sécession fait rage, cinq hommes se retrouvent derrière les barreaux à Lincoln, et ne doivent leur salut qu'au serviteur émancipé de l'un d'eux, Nab, qui organise une révolte des esclaves pour sauver son maître et ses compagnons d'infortune. Les hommes s'évadent de leur prison grâce à une montgolfière mais une tempête gigantesque éclate alors qu'ils sont en vol. Après avoir parcouru des distances inouïes, la toile se déchire, le ballon perd de l'altitude, et ils risquent de s'abîmer en mer. Le délestage ne sert plus à éviter la catastrophe. Le ballon s'échoue, mais heureusement, une terre est en vue.
, 1h45Directed by James Hill (réalisateur britannique), James Hill
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Science fiction, Fantastic, Adventure
Themes Seafaring films, Transport films, Submarine films, Pirate films, Films based on science fiction novels
Actors Robert Ryan, Chuck Connors, Nanette Newman, Luciana Paluzzi, Bill Fraser, Kenneth Connor
Rating56%
The film opens with a mid nineteenth century cargo liner sinking in a storm at sea, in what is presumed to be an Atlantic Gale. As the vessel begins to founder the crew muster the passengers to the lifeboats, one of which capsizes as it is launched, and its passengers are thrown out into the overwhelming seas. Swept below the waves and on the point of drowning, they are rescued by a group of divers who swim up to them to give them air and lead them to the submarine Nautilus.
Mysterious Island (1961)
, 1h41Directed by Ray Harryhausen, Cy Endfield
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Drama, Science fiction, Fantastic, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Themes La fin du monde, Seafaring films, Transport films, Volcanisme, Pirate films, Films based on science fiction novels, Giant monster films, Political films, Films about volcanoes, Disaster films
Actors Michael Craig, Joan Greenwood, Michael Callan, Gary Merrill, Herbert Lom, Percy Herbert
Rating66%
In 1865 during the American Civil War, a massive storm sweeps through a Confederate prison camp. Union soldiers Cyrus Harding (Michael Craig), Herbert Brown (Michael Callan) and Neb (Dan Jackson), are planning an escape via a tethered gas balloon. When a new prisoner, Union war correspondent Gideon Spillet (Gary Merrill), is brought into their cell, they knock out the guard and escape from the prison house. Once they arrive at the balloon, they drag one of the Confederate guards named Pencroft (Percy Herbert) aboard. After he explains that he knows how to pilot the balloon, they let him join the group.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
, 2h7Directed by Richard Fleischer, James Haven
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Science fiction, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Themes Films about animals, Seafaring films, Transport films, Underwater action films, Submarine films, Pirate films, Films based on science fiction novels, Films about cephalopods, Children's films
Actors Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre, Ted de Corsia, Robert J. Wilke
Rating71%
In 1868, rumors of a sea monster attacking ships in the Pacific Ocean have created apprehension and fear among sailors, disrupting shipping lanes. The United States government invites Professor Pierre M. Aronnax (Paul Lukas) and his assistant, Conseil (Peter Lorre), onto an expedition to prove or disprove the monster's existence. On board with them is the cocky master harpooner Ned Land (Kirk Douglas).
Mysterious Island (1951)
Directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet
Origin USA
Genres Science fiction, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Themes Seafaring films, Transport films, Pirate films, Films based on science fiction novels, Political films
Actors Richard Crane, Marshall Reed, Gene Roth, Leonard Penn, Rusty Wescoatt, Bernie Hamilton
Rating59%
During the siege of Richmond, Virginia, in the American Civil War, POW Capt. Cyrus Harding escapes from his Confederate captors in a rather unusual way – by hijacking an observation balloon. In his escape, Harding is accompanied by sailor Pencroft, his nephew Bert, writer Gideon, loyal soldier Neb, and a dog. A hurricane blows the balloon off course, and the group eventually crash-lands on a cliff-bound, volcanic, uncharted (and fictitious) island, located in the South Pacific, with very unusual inhabitants. They name it "Lincoln Island" in honour of American President Abraham Lincoln.
The Mysterious Island (1929)
, 1h35Directed by Benjamin Christensen, Maurice Tourneur, Lucien Hubbard
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Science fiction, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Horror, Romance
Themes Seafaring films, Transport films, Underwater action films, Submarine films, Pirate films, Films based on science fiction novels, Political films
Actors Lionel Barrymore, Jacqueline Gadsden, Montagu Love, Lloyd Hughes, Harry Gribbon, Snitz Edwards
Rating60%
On a volcanic island near the kingdom of Hetvia rules Count Dakkar, a benevolent leader and scientist who has eliminated class distinction among the island's inhabitants. Dakkar, his daughter Sonia and her fiance, engineer Nicolai Roget have designed a submarine which Roget pilots on its initial voyage just before the island is overrun by Baron Falon, despotic ruler of Hetvia. Falon sets out after Roget in a second submarine and the two craft, diving to the ocean's floor, discover a strange land populated by dragons, giant squid and an eerie undiscovered humanoid race.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1916)
, 1h45Directed by Stuart Paton
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Science fiction, Action, Adventure
Themes Films about animals, Seafaring films, Transport films, Underwater action films, Submarine films, Pirate films, Films based on science fiction novels, Films about cephalopods, Political films
Actors Allen Holubar, Jane Gail, Noble Johnson, Howard Crampton, Joseph W. Girard, William Welsh
Rating61%
A strange giant "sea creature" has been rampaging the seas. The American naval ship Abraham Lincoln is sent to investigate, but is rammed by "the creature" which turns out to be The Nautilus, the fantastic submarine of the enigmatic Captain Nemo, and "Rudderless, the 'Abraham Lincoln' drifts on". Then, in "A strange rescue" he guides the sub to surface under those pitched overboard and his crew take them, including Professor Aronnax, and his daughter (who are French) below through a hatch in the surface of the deck. After they pledge not to escape, Nemo shows them the wonders of the underwater world, and even takes them hunting on the sea floor.