List of Steampunk Movies

Selkie · December 10, 2009, 06:00:23 AM

People who were kids in the 1980s might remember this, maybe not, but I think The Adventures of Mark Twain should be added to the list. It was released in the UK under the title of Comet Quest. It's a Claymation film directed by Will Vinton (the guy behind the California Raisins) that focuses on Twain's attempts to reach Halley's Comet in 1910, inspired by an actual quote of Mark Twain's. I loved this film as a child and recently got it on DVD. In the film, he uses an hybrid steamboat/airship to reach said comet, while bringing Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn and Becky Thatcher along for the ride.

Funny thing is that I get a lot more out of the humor and plotline than I did as a young child, one part of it is rather grim, even from an adult's perspective. All of the segments of the movie are based off of his works, too, which is also a neat bonus.

Josh of Vernian Process · December 10, 2009, 06:03:32 AM

Quote from: Selkie on December 10, 2009, 06:00:23 AM
People who were kids in the 1980s might remember this, maybe not, but I think The Adventures of Mark Twain should be added to the list. It was released in the UK under the title of Comet Quest. It's a Claymation film directed by Will Vinton (the guy behind the California Raisins) that focuses on Twain's attempts to reach Halley's Comet in 1910, inspired by an actual quote of Mark Twain's. I loved this film as a child and recently got it on DVD. In the film, he uses an hybrid steamboat/airship to reach said comet, while bringing Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn and Becky Thatcher along for the ride.

Funny thing is that I get a lot more out of the humor and plotline than I did as a young child, one part of it is rather grim, even from an adult's perspective. All of the segments of the movie are based off of his works, too, which is also a neat bonus.

That was one f-ed up movie. That whole part based on The Mysterious Stranger freaked me right out. lol.

Selkie · December 10, 2009, 06:10:31 AM

Even more f-ed up is that Mark Twain actually passed away a day after Halley's Comet appeared in 1910. Talk about timing.

Arvis · December 10, 2009, 09:01:55 AM

Quote from: Selkie on December 10, 2009, 06:10:31 AM
Even more f-ed up is that Mark Twain actually passed away a day after Halley's Comet appeared in 1910. Talk about timing.

Lets not forget that Mr. Clemens was born just after said comet swung by in 1835. Kinda makes me wonder wether or not he was dropped off and then picked up later.

Arvis

Rocketeer and Roll · December 18, 2009, 10:30:55 AM

I was totally traumatized by that movie. I think most people that saw that f***** up scene (you know the one) would agree with me. It was actually banned from television for being so unbelievably disturbing. I remember when I was a kid and saw that I just started screaming. And I was never bothered by anything!

I much prefer the Star Trek TNG episode with Mark Twain, where he helps them fight interdimensional soul sucking aliens.

Josh of Vernian Process · December 18, 2009, 10:36:10 AM

Quote from: Rocketeer and Roll on December 18, 2009, 10:30:55 AM
I was totally traumatized by that movie. I think most people that saw that f***** up scene (you know the one) would agree with me. It was actually banned from television for being so unbelievably disturbing. I remember when I was a kid and saw that I just started screaming. And I was never bothered by anything!

I much prefer the Star Trek TNG episode with Mark Twain, where he helps them fight interdimensional soul sucking aliens.

I'm not a big Star Trek fan, but I do vividly remember that episode! I also remember liking most of the episodes that took place primarily on the holodeck.

zpyder · December 18, 2009, 11:23:47 AM

I've not seen it yet, but what are the chances the new "Sherlock Holmes" film will have some elements of SP in it?

Anders · December 19, 2009, 03:22:42 AM

I don't particularly care how "steampunk" the Holmes movie is going to be (though the trailer does show him using some kind of taser device). I am simply interested to see the way Holmes is portrayed. The trailer suggests that this will be a far cry from any Holmes movie I've ever seen before, and I'm trying not to dismiss it out of hand because of the style. That's not to say I am opposed to an "action hero" Holmes, but all too often I've seen smart characters in books go to beef-heads in the movies.

Josh of Vernian Process · December 19, 2009, 03:25:24 AM

Quote from: Anders on December 19, 2009, 03:22:42 AM
I don't particularly care how "steampunk" the Holmes movie is going to be (though the trailer does show him using some kind of taser device). I am simply interested to see the way Holmes is portrayed. The trailer suggests that this will be a far cry from any Holmes movie I've ever seen before, and I'm trying not to dismiss it out of hand because of the style. That's not to say I am opposed to an "action hero" Holmes, but all too often I've seen smart characters in books go to beef-heads in the movies.

From the research I've done, it appears this version of Holmes is supposed to be based entirely on Doyle's original works. More so than most of the representations of him in countless other films.

Arvis · December 19, 2009, 07:39:50 AM

Quote from: VernianProcess on December 19, 2009, 03:25:24 AM
Quote from: Anders on December 19, 2009, 03:22:42 AM
I don't particularly care how "steampunk" the Holmes movie is going to be (though the trailer does show him using some kind of taser device). I am simply interested to see the way Holmes is portrayed. The trailer suggests that this will be a far cry from any Holmes movie I've ever seen before, and I'm trying not to dismiss it out of hand because of the style. That's not to say I am opposed to an "action hero" Holmes, but all too often I've seen smart characters in books go to beef-heads in the movies.

From the research I've done, it appears this version of Holmes is supposed to be based entirely on Doyle's original works. More so than most of the representations of him in countless other films.

Does this mean we get to see Holmes shoot up heroin?

NothingINC · December 20, 2009, 02:00:36 AM

i just got Franklyn, good movie and i loved the visuals.
Has anyone seen "ink" ?
It just showed up at my local blockbuster looks good but have not heard anything about it.
i had also seen a review for an independent film that follows a gothic family living in the suburbs,
its called" quench", has anyone seen it? any good?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0874314/

Josh of Vernian Process · December 20, 2009, 03:04:18 AM

Quote from: NothingINC on December 20, 2009, 02:00:36 AM
i just got Franklyn, good movie and i loved the visuals.
Has anyone seen "ink" ?
It just showed up at my local blockbuster looks good but have not heard anything about it.
i had also seen a review for an independent film that follows a gothic family living in the suburbs,
its called" quench", has anyone seen it? any good?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0874314/

Haven't heard of Quench, but Ink was very good! In some ways it reminded me a lot of the old White Wolf RPG system Changeling: The Dreaming.

CorneliaCarton · December 30, 2009, 01:39:48 PM

Is Labyrinth (1986) steampunk?

Pnakotus · December 30, 2009, 05:36:39 PM

Quote from: NothingINC on December 20, 2009, 02:00:36 AM
Has anyone seen "ink" ?

I just recently watched Ink. I thought it was pretty interesting. I wouldn't mind knowing more about that world. Hopefully they'll do some kind of sequel that will go into the different 'factions' (for lack of a better word) of the dreamworld people.

In a way Ink reminded me of another movie I've seen called Re-Cycle. I wouldn't call Re-Cycle steampunk, but it does have some very interesting scenes in it none the less.

Voltin · December 30, 2009, 08:25:33 PM

Labyrinth (1986) is on the list. I grew up with this movie and adore it, however I don't find it that Steamy.
Great visual effects, costumes, puppets or Muppets, and cast.
I still think The Invisible Man (1933) should be on the list. They are remaking the Invisible Man which is to be made Steampunk. It is not exactly a remake as the storyline takes place after the book where the Invisible Man is a secret agent sent to Imperial Russia and is clearly set in the late 1800's this time.
Can't wait for this one!

Calamity Joan · January 01, 2010, 09:22:08 PM

How about Kin-dza-dza? A 1986 film from Soviet Russia, it couldn't truly be called steampunk - the technology is not steam, just strange - but I'd say the aesthetic fits quite well. This article - http://coilhouse.net/2008/01/kin-dza-dza-1986-soviet-steampunk/ - is where I learned about it and went on to watch it.

Cubinoid · January 13, 2010, 12:59:46 PM

Quote from: zpyder on December 18, 2009, 11:23:47 AM
I've not seen it yet, but what are the chances the new "Sherlock Holmes" film will have some elements of SP in it?

SPOILER WARNING:

Spoiler: Show

Goby · January 21, 2010, 06:36:26 AM

I've updated the list, and I have an idea based on something posted earlier referring to jumanji and zathura. A second (smaller) list of films that although are not steampunk still strike the imagination in the same (or similar) way as steampunk films do. What do you think of this idea.

By the way, Rockula that was an amazing list earlier, I will have to go through it at another time when time isn't a factor.

Keep suggesting everybody!

--Goby--

The Nordic One · January 21, 2010, 07:06:56 AM

Quote from: zpyder on December 18, 2009, 11:23:47 AM
I've not seen it yet, but what are the chances the new "Sherlock Holmes" film will have some elements of SP in it?

I

The Nordic One · January 21, 2010, 07:07:56 AM

Quote from: zpyder on December 18, 2009, 11:23:47 AM
I've not seen it yet, but what are the chances the new "Sherlock Holmes" film will have some elements of SP in it?

It sure did from what I could see when I saw it.. then again, did anyone list "Around The World In 80 Days?"

Arvis · January 21, 2010, 01:25:59 PM

I haven't seen "Pete's Dragon" listed yet. It would seem to be on shaky ground at first notion, that is until Dr. Terminus rolls into town in his wind powered snake oil wagon filled with wonderful "medical" equipment. Not to mention the lens of an old lighthouse is pure steampunk technology!

Arvis

Voltin · January 22, 2010, 02:03:36 AM

Looks like the squeeky cog gets the oil

The Invisible Man (1933) made the list. Hurrah!
Mad scientists, classical film lover's, and H.G. Wells fans from around the world should be pleased
I just recently purchased some of those rare antique sunglasses he dons in the film

This film is a true classic!

Gryphon · January 22, 2010, 03:23:02 AM

The Sand Pebbles - set too late to be a steampunk film, but a worthy watch for fans of seedy exotic locales, Lewis Guns, colonial moral ambiguity, crew tensions, and steam-powered gunboats.

Has anyone else mentioned The Man Who Would Be King ?

Blessings on Calamity Joan - I've been trying to discover the title of Kin-dza-dza for years! There is another Soviet-era sci-fi, bigger budget, filmed partly in B&W and partly in color a'la Wizard of Oz called maybe "The Zone" or something similar; I recall very little of it. Anybody know the piece?

Sir Robert · January 24, 2010, 08:58:42 PM

May I suggest Khartoum, beautiful uniforms, steam powered boat, impossible mission what more do you need?

It may be seen here for free:

Hulu - Khartoum - Watch the full feature film now.

neon_suntan · January 24, 2010, 11:09:09 PM

Quote from: Gryphon on January 22, 2010, 03:23:02 AM
There is another Soviet-era sci-fi, bigger budget, filmed partly in B&W and partly in color a'la Wizard of Oz called maybe "The Zone" or something similar; I recall very little of it. Anybody know the piece?

Could it be Tarkovskys Stalker - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079944/

Stalker (English subtitles). Part 1 of 16.

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List of Steampunk Movies