But for completeness 'The Mysterious Island' and other movies in which submarines are part of the supporting cast are included here. But in the sequel the submarine makes only a cameo appearance, so 'The Mysterious Island' cannot properly be considered a submarine story, nor can its cinematic realizations be considered submarine movies, per se. Verne's novel 'The Mysterious Island' was published in 1874 as a sequel to '20,000 Leagues' and it concerned Civil War soldiers who balloon to the strange island home of Captain Nemo, who has invented a submarine. Jules Verne's novel '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' is the prototypical submarine story, and much of the romance of this tale is the submarine itself. Some difficulty is encountered in compiling a list of 'submarine movies'. Once someone makes an excellent film in any particular genre, all other efforts must inevitably measure up or be considered a failure. Part of the problem with submarine pictures is that 'Das Boot' and the 'The Hunt for Red October' ruined the genre for everyone else.

However, it cannot be denied that the submarine has played a major role in both film and print since its inception 100 years ago. Movies normally feature cliches such as the claustrophobia of life beneath the waves and dodging depth charges. Popular culture has both canonized and damned the submarine and their crews. It has become an object of fascination for those drawn to the allure and mystique surrounding the Silent Service. The submarine has influenced more than just the outcome of the wars of the 20th Century. JULES VERNE TWENTY THOUSAND LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, 1869 No tempest to brave, for when it dives below the water, it reaches absolute tranquility. No collision to fear, for it alone swims in deep water No boilers to burst, no fire to fear, for the vessel is made of iron, not of wood no cove to run short, for electricity is the only power No rigging to attend to, no sails for the wind to carry away

No defects to be afraid of, for the double shell is as firm as iron,

On the NAUTILUS men's hearts never fail them.

Movie about nautilus submarine