By Jeffrey Rapaport | Published
Sean Connery’s last film was The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. The 2003 film uniquely blends action, adventure and fantasy, bringing together several iconic characters from classic literature. If only for its unique principle and its excellent casting, the film stands out.
Directed by Stephen Norrington and written by James Dale Robinson, the film is set in an alternate Victorian era, in which a mysterious character called only The Fantom wreaks havoc across the world with advanced weaponry. The British counter this looming threat by recruiting an adventurer named Allan Quatermain, the iconic Sean Connery, to lead a team of unique individuals.
Each recruit helps form the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, an A-team from the Great Books, including Captain Nemo, Dorian Gray, Dr. Jekyll, Tom Sawyer and many more.
The crew embarks on a mission to stop the Fantom from selling advanced weapons to competing nations and sparking global conflict; the villain memorably demonstrates the power of said weapons by sinking a Venetian building as a show of force. The League’s quest takes them across the world, from the alleys of Victorian London to the canals of Venice.
Excitingly, the plot unfolds in a steampunk universe filled with deeper conspiracies, cleverly integrating each character’s unique abilities and backgrounds.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen features a memorable climax set in a snowy Mongol fortress, where the League faces its true enemy, no spoilers here, and his army. The intense battle involves impressive action sequences.
Comic book fans will know that the film adapts a comic book series of the same name, a highly respected creation by legendary graphic novelist and all-around bard Alan Moore and artist Kevin O’Neill. The film’s production was fraught with difficulties, including reported tensions between director Norrington and lead actor Connery.
These conflicts contributed to a difficult filming schedule. Floods in Prague, where a large part The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was shot down, also led to setbacks.
Despite everything, challenges or not, the film managed to capture the essence of the comedy series. However, with some notable differences. For example, the inclusion of Tom Sawyer was made to appeal to American audiences.
Many appreciated the film’s liberal use of the steampunk aesthetic, which memorably blends Victorian-era designs with futuristic technology. A unique visual sensibility set it apart from other comic book adaptations of the time, and even typical Marvel fare today.
However, the film debuted to decidedly mixed critical reviews. Experts were quick to pan The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen the screenplay and direction, calling them major weaknesses. Furthermore, the narrative, in general, has been attacked; critics found it cluttered and lacking in coherence, failing to orchestrate its ensemble of complex literary characters into a coherent story.
Perhaps most glaring, the gap between the film and Moore and O’Neill’s original series was a significant point of contention. Fans of the comic series have mocked the liberties taken with the characters and story, viewing these changes as dilutions, or even betrayals, of the source material.
However, many appreciated the The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen high-octane special effects and action sequences, particularly its steampunk visuals. Others dismissed CGI, which admittedly was not as advanced in the early 2000s as it is today.
As far as box office returns go, the film was modest. Although it was produced on a substantial budget, estimated at over $100 million, it failed to achieve blockbuster status. The film grossed around $179 million worldwide, meaning it wasn’t a total failure but was ultimately a disappointment, given its high production costs and equally high expectations.
Naturally, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen the performance was likely affected by its mixed reception, both critically and due to word of mouth, which likely discouraged a potentially wider audience. Additionally, other high-profile releases released during the same period provided stiff competition.
Eventually, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen represents an intriguing mix, merging literature and cinema into an ambitious project involving an ensemble of memorable characters.
Of course, logistical and personnel challenges marred its production, critics marred its reception, and it may not have been true to its comic book origins. But the film nevertheless enjoys a special status due to its unique steampunk aesthetic and visuals.
