Krakatoa, East of Java

A disaster movie epic made before “disaster” became its own genre, Krakatoa, East of Java (1969) finds treasure hunters searching for a shipwreck in the perilous waters off Indonesia in 1883, just as the titular island's volcano shows signs of waking up. The real-life eruption was so powerful that it destroyed much of the island, caused tsunamis that killed tens of thousands of people, and set off shock waves felt around the world. The movie uses the historical event as a colorful backdrop for melodrama, adventure, and poor judgment in the face of clear signs of impending doom. Maximilian Schell is the captain who ignores warnings about the volcano, Diane Baker is a former lover fleeing an abusive husband, Brian Keith is an ailing deep sea diver who dulls his symptoms with alcohol and laudanum and has violent visions, and Sal Mineo is a passenger who gets high billing but has little to do. The film also features a chain gang of convicts, a mutiny, an experimental diving bell, a runaway hot air balloon, and—of course—the eruption and aftermath, including a deadly tidal wave that could crush the ship. It was shot on 70mm film, but the impressive, Oscar-nominated special effects are scientifically sloppy (and, among the more obvious mistakes, Krakatoa is actually west of Java). On the comparatively small home video screen, the film comes across as merely bland. Not recommended. (S. Axmaker)