Master Of The World (1961)

Starring Vincent Price, Charles Bronson, Henry Hull, Mary Webster, David Frankham
Directed by William Witney
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

In the 19th century, Robur, who's created the first flying airship, seeks to make the nations of the world disarm themselves or face reprisals from explosive missiles launched by his ship.

Screenwriter Richard Matheson based his screenplay on the two Robur novels by Jules Verne, and uses characters and situations from both, but also borrows the anti-war crusade of Captain Nemo from Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, to give Robur a mission for the film.  That makes the movie somewhat reminiscent of Disney's adaptation of 20,000 Leagues, although it can't possibly compare to that film in budget or spectacle.  Nevertheless, Robur's airship is well-realized by the production design and special effects departments, and Price gives a worthy performance as Robur, with Bronson, Hull, Webster, and Frankham giving distinguished turns as the people he takes hostage.  Bronson plays John Strock, an agent of the U.S. government, and silently lies in wait for a moment to take control of the situation, while Frankham's stuffed shirt rallies against him with contempt for his inaction and for the growing attraction between Bronson and Webster, his character's beautiful fiancee.  Hull is a munitions dealer who vehemently combats verbally with Robur, while the villain tries to point out his own hypocrisy.  I think these are winning elements, and I enjoyed the actor's portrayals, and overall it's a charming film, but for me it still remains a pale imitation of the triumph of Disney's Verne adaptation, which it obviously tries to capitalize on.