Five Weeks in a Balloon (film)


Five Weeks in a Balloon is a 1962 adventure film loosely based on the novel of the same name by Jules Verne filmed in CinemaScope. It was produced and directed by Irwin Allen his last feature film in the 1960s before moving to producing several science fiction television series. Though set in Africa, it was filmed in California. Balloonist Donald Piccard acted as the films technical advisor. For visual effects, a model of the balloon was used as well as a fullsized unicorn gondola hung on a crane.

When heclarification needed arrives at the Prime Ministers office in Zanzibar, heclarification needed is given the mission to use hisclarification needed craft to claim areas of uncharted west Africa for the Crown before slave traders make their claim to the territory. Fergusson agrees. The following day, Consul tells the bad news that the slave traders know of his plan and would reach the river Volta in six weeks, leaving him with five.clarification needed To make matters worse,editorializing the Queen has sent Sir Henry Vining to accompany him. He wants to be referred to as General Vining and proclaims himself the expert on Africa.Meanwhile, in the marketplace, Jacques finds OShea rescuing a slave girl named Makia Barbara Luna and they bring her along, and they go to the Consuls office. Consul Townsend orders Makia to be returned to her owner, but she fights the slave trader and leaves on a horse. The people in the marketplace become outraged and threaten to destroy Jupiter. OShea begins to be viewed as a troublemaker and as the balloon takes off he is shocked to know that the plans of the journey have been changed. The balloon lands in a forest and they have dinner. As they converse at the table they notice their food is being taken away and find Makia hiding under the table. She says she hid up in the crows nest of the balloon and will not leave OShea, who does not want her and offers her to the others on board. Disappointed she tries to leave into the dangerous wilderness only to be stopped and eventually agrees to be a passenger aboard. Meanwhile, a wild chimpanzee walks out of the forest and joins the crew. As the rest of the crew sleeps, Jacques and the chimp drink coffee. Makia comes out of the gondola unable to sleep in fear of the wilderness and suggests Jacques to buy her. Jacques explains how slavery is uncivilized and explains marriage. Lightning is heard and they take off the balloon. ........

Source: Wikipedia


RELATED SEARCHES

CAST