I decided recently to dive into Criterion's collection of films to find some good stuff that I have either wanted to watch for a long time or that I've never heard of. "The Atomic Submarine" fell into the latter category, and I decided to pair it with "Robinson Crusoe on Mars" as a Criterion sci-fi double feature.I was left wondering what it is about "The Atomic Submarine" that compelled Criterion to select it over the hundred other similar 50s sci-fi movies they could have included. It's not much longer than a single episode of any number of television series, and it looks like it was made for about $5. It's entertaining in that kitschy retro way that films of this genre from this time period always are, but I found myself trying hard and failing to see what was so good about it that it warrants inclusion in a list of culturally significant films.The most interesting thing about it to me was that it features the brother of George Sanders in a supporting role.Grade: C

"The Atomic Submarine" is rather surprisingly a release from the super-intellectual Criterion Collection. This surprised me, though after seeing it, I could see that the film was a very good B-movie--and there was a lot to admire.The film begins by learning that various ships entering the Arctic region have been lost--so many that the government is sending their top submarine there to investigate. This ship discovers something that no one had anticipated...and I won't say more because I don't want to spoil the suspense--and there is quite a bit.This film has several deficits--mostly due to its very low budget. Because they could not afford tons of special effects, a few shortcuts were used. Stock footage (often a bit grainy) of ships sinking, a rather silly creature near the end and sets that looked more like sets than a sub are all things you are bound to notice. And, the script is occasionally a bit clichéd. But, on the other hand, the film is pretty exciting and seemed to get the most out of its low budget and short filming schedule. Plus, the story underneath it all was quite creative and great. Clever and well worth seeing.

I saw this movie first run at the Strand in Summit, N.J., attracted by the scientific slant of the title. My most vivid recollection is of the stock footage at the beginning illustrating the crisis in the Atlantic. ( This is very similar to the beginning of Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. ) The documentary style had the desired effect on my impressionable mind, and I recall being quite disturbed by it and wondering why I hadn't known about all this, until the fictive nature of the proceedings was reestablished by the appearance of sets and actors. I do recall the general trend of the action as an encounter with an underwater UFO, an idea which has gained traction more recently. Of course, this encounter elicited the usual remarks about the unknown and alien nature of the materials, which I always wondered about, because ... what could it be? I do recall the dialog establishing the alien ship as made of "living material", but beyond that my memory is dim. Nevertheless the experience of it remains a landmark for me.

*Spoiler/plot-1959, The Atomic Submarine, In the future, the North polar seas are a freeway being used by large submarines for international commerce. These underwater giants are being sunk by an unknown force. The Tigershark, a US Navy super submarine is sent in to investigate and stop the destruction. The Tigershark crew find an alien craft and it's alien intelligence at work. They take military action.*Special Stars- Often seen, Arthur Franz as the sub captain. Cowboy movie veteran, Dick Steele plays the sub's 'chief petty officer'. Blonde bombshell, Joi Lansing plays the XO's girlfriend.*Theme- US Navy owns the arctic seas, under, over and in.*Based on- 50's nuclear submarine news.*Trivia/location/goofs- One of the few science fiction films that the undersea UFO is operating at the North Pole. This has to be the biggest submarine in the world judging by the large expansive control room used. A little unbelievable even for Hollywood.*Emotion- A mostly boring film despite the possible unique plot line that has never been seen before on film. Very little sets and mostly stock footage fuel this film to it's sub-par quality levels. The only interesting part is when the sub crew enter the UFO and confront the alien leader inside. Beware: cornball stuff.