Krakatoa, East of Java
(a.k.a. "Volcano" -- US reissue)

US (1969): Disaster

Volcano is the reissue title of the muddled disaster flick Krakatoa: East of Java. The name change was reportedly put into effect after thousands of filmgoers noted publicly that Krakatoa is west of Java. As might be expected, the story takes place in 1883, when the long-dormant volcano at Krakatoa erupted with A-bomb force. Since everyone knows what's coming, the filmmakers try to stir up suspense with a gratuitous subplot involving ship's-captain Maximillian Schell and his mutinous crew (a similar plot device had been used in a previous dramatization of the Krakatoa incident, 1953's Fair Wind to Java). The climactic special effects are spectacular enough to make the script, and the all-star cast (including Diane Baker, Brian Keith, Rossano Brazzi and Sal Mineo), seem utterly superfluous. Bernard L. Kowalski directs for ABC/Cinerama. (Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide)

 View a clip from this film (highlighting many of its special and visual effects) on YouTube.com.

1 nomination