Latitude Zero
Latitude Zero
A journalist is saved by a giant submarine captained by a 200-year-old man who takes him to an underwater paradise city where no one ages. That's when monsters and mutants sent by the captain's rival, a 200-year-old scientist, attack.
RichyE reviewed16h ago
A journalist is rescued from a deep-sea disaster by a massive submarine captained by the enigmatic Craig McKenzie—a 200-year-old man who rules over an underwater utopia where aging has been conquered. But paradise is short-lived, as McKenzie’s nemesis, the mad scientist Dr. Malic, unleashes a barrage of monsters and mutants in a bid for domination.
🧪 Highlights & Lowlights
👍 What Works
Retro Sci-Fi Charm: With its pulpy premise and colorful sets, the film is a time capsule of 60s genre cinema.
International Cast: Joseph Cotten and Cesar Romero bring Hollywood gravitas to a Japanese production.
Monster Madness: Giant rats, flying lions, and mutant hybrids—classic Honda creature chaos.
👎 What Doesn’t
Camp Over Coherence: The plot is bonkers, and not always in a good way. Logic takes a backseat to spectacle.
Dated Effects: Even by 1969 standards, the special effects are rudimentary and often unintentionally hilarious.
Pacing Issues: The film meanders between exposition and action, with uneven momentum.
⚖️ Verdict
Latitude Zero is a gloriously strange entry in Ishirō Honda’s filmography. It’s not high art, but it’s high camp, and that’s part of its charm. If you love vintage sci-fi with rubber monsters and philosophical overreach, this one’s a must-see curiosity.