Too much of everything

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

There is definitely an excellent idea hidden in the background of the film. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find it.

Even with the enormous eye candy of Kirk Douglas and Yul Brynner in a pirate movie together, The Light at the Edge of the World isn't very entertaining. Kirk is the lighthouse keeper, content in his solitude, and Yul is the leader of a band of pirates who specialize in taking control of lighthouses and crashing ships. This is very much a "man's movie", as there's only one woman in the film, Samantha Eggar, and she isn't treated very nicely when Yul takes her prisoner. Yes, I know, if Yul Brynner took me prisoner, I wouldn't complain about it either, but trust me, in this movie he's a real bad guy!There's lots of action scenes, and tension-filled violence, but not very much of a story. Dudes who like macho movies with senseless fighting between two macho dudes might like this one, especially since it's strongly implied that Samantha Eggar gets passed around the pirates during her capture. For normal men, or any women at all, you'll want to pass on this movie. Rent The King and I and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea instead.

Once I overlooked the slow moving action (at times) and hokey plot and dialogue, I found this movie really entertaining in a circus and carnival (freaky pirates, treasure, monkey, violence, wild colors in a rough landscape with spaghetti western flashbacks) sort of way. Seemed to really push the envelope for that time period in terms of gay and trans-gender undertones - what with the pirate captain's attachment to his butler and to his androgynous second in command (the character who paraded around in a dress and feathers and appeared much more interested in Will than in Arabella). I didn't even sense that the pirate captain was attracted to Arabella in a sexual way. Anyway,that made the movie all the more interesting and unique - although likely far removed from what Jules Verne envisioned.

I'd never heard of this Jules Verne story before watching this movie - and after watching this movie, I think I know why. I don't know how closely this movie follows the story, but since there is hardly any action - or dialogue - I'd guess the story is a dull romp as well.Poor special effects, lack of continuity, subplots barely treaded on then abandoned, the worst mannequins-for-bodies you can think of, characters that act stupid (especially Eggar's character) make a movie that you can miss. I have no idea why Douglas was attracted to this movie - maybe he thought lightning could strike twice after the success of 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA. He even produced this movie - maybe that explains things, including why there are so many close-up shots of his face, and that he seems to be doing all his own stuntwork.

Remove yourself from the Kirk Douglass aspects of the casting. It is essential to your enjoying the film. There is a beautiful young woman playing double roles - and in the photos from the 1800's, I can't believe how smooth and white her skin is. Also, there is an excellent degrading of the film stock which chills the mind if you like faded greys and yellows as I do. This film is played on TNT from time to time so see it.