The 3 Worlds of Gulliver

Released Dec 16, 1960

1 hr. 40 min.

Kids & Family

Fantasy

List

89%

9 Reviews

Tomatometer

52%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

Surgeon Lemuel Gulliver (Kerwin Mathews) wants to explore the world before his marriage to Elizabeth (June Thorburn), 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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Audience Member

Movies are just for fun...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It's not the best, but over all, I enjoyed it. And for being made in 1960, the special effects aren't bad.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A great story and never done better.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

What you don't understand you want to destroy--Charming and Instructive Fantasy!!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

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Jack Sher

Director

Kerwin Mathews

Dr. Lemuel Gulliver

Jo Morrow

Gwendolyn

June Thorburn

Elizabeth

Lee Patterson

Reldresal

Gregoire Aslan

King Brob

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Gerri Major

Jet Magazine

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.

Jan 16, 2024

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

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.

Rated: 6/10

Aug 9, 2023

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

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.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 12, 2023

Full Review

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

Retains some scant measure of Swift's satiric intent, however distorted.

Rated: 7/10

May 17, 2013

Full Review

Mark Bourne

DVDJournal.com

For a good number of fans, Bernard Herrmann's fine score is the chief appeal here.

Apr 6, 2006

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Oct 16, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

Surgeon Lemuel Gulliver (Kerwin Mathews) wants to explore the world before his marriage to Elizabeth (June Thorburn), 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
Distributor: RCA/Columbia, Columbia Pictures, Columbia Tristar
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 16, 1960, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 1, 2012
Sound Mix: Stereo

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