Around the World in Eighty Days

US (1956): Adventure/Comedy

This Mike Todd production was a star-studded, multi-million dollar extravaganza when first released in 1956. It remains enjoyable family fare, but time has somewhat dulled its shine. Still, it compares favorably to the overly long, 1989 TV mini-series starring Pierce Brosnan and Eric Idle and the 2004 Disney version with Steve Coogan and Jackie Chan. Elegant David Niven plays the neurotically punctual Phileas Fogg, a British gent who is spurred on by a wager to prove he can travel around the world in 80 days. He is accompanied by his valet, played with persnickety humor by Cantinflas.

Nominated for several Academy Awards®, this was written by John Farrow (Mia's dad) and S.J. Perelman, based on Jules Verne's 1873 classic. The fun part is the razzle-dazzle. Todd knew what he was doing with all those exotic locales and over 40 cameo appearances, including Charles Boyer, Ronald Coleman, Marlene Dietrich, José Greco, Peter Lorre, Buster Keaton, Frank Sinatra, and Red Skelton. A very young Shirley MacLaine was painted and dyed to play a lively Indian Princess. (Rochelle O'Gorman, Amazon.com)

This is the second Todd-AO production shot twice, first at 24 fps (to produce the general-release version in 35 mm) and finally at 30 fps (to produce the roadshow version in 70 mm). The 35 mm version is presented in conventional 2:1 squeeze anamorphic process (incorrectly credited to Todd-AO); the 70 mm version is presented in Todd-AO.

  • The film used 140 sets built at six Hollywood studios, as well as in England, Hong Kong and Japan.
  • 74,685 costumes were designed, made or rented for use in the film.
  • The cast and crew flew over 4,000,000 miles.
  • 68,894 extras were used while shooting the film in 13 countries.
  • 90 animal handlers managed the record 8,552 animals used (3,800 sheep, 2,448 buffalo, 950 donkeys, 800 horses, 512 monkeys, 17 bulls, 15 elephants, 6 skunks, and 4 ostriches).
    • (IMDb)

 Use this link to view the original theatrical trailer for Around the World in 80 Days on TCM.com.


· Best Picture 1956: Michael Todd - Producer (Todd, UA)
· Writing (Best Screenplay adapted) 1956: James Poe, John V. Farrow, S. J. Perelman (Writer Michael Wilson ineligible under Academy by-laws. Wilson was blacklisted since pleading the Fifth before the House Un-American Activities Commitee in 1951.
· Cinematography (Color) 1956: Lionel Lindon
· Film Editing 1956: Gene Ruggiero, Paul Weatherwax
· Music Scoring Awards (Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture) 1956: Victor Young


· Directing 1956: Michael Anderson
· Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color) 1956: James W. Sullivan & Ken Adam - Art Direction; Ross J. Dowd - Set Decoration
· Costume Design (Color) 1956: Miles White

8 nominations, 5 Awards