Krakatoa, East of Java (1969)

"KRAKATOA-East of Java"

This 1969 version special effects are far better than an early 1950's version,also in color, starring Fred McMurray and Vera Ralston. The original movie version plot was perhaps better, not the special effects, since it offers a more up to date version of this genre. The Mega-Tsunami produced by the explosion of the volcanic island in the 1969 version is awesome and convincing.
Do not miss it. November 8, 2007

Karatoa East of Java

I saw this movie when it first came out in 1969 at The Cinenarama dome in Hollywood California with some friends of mine. Best place to see it the sound and the picture were excellent I really enjoyed the movie the plot was good so was the all star cast you don't find very many movies like that these days. If you must buy it get a really good copy of it and if you have a home thearter set up even better the sound will take you away it will feel like you are in the movie it self. It doesn't matter if it is east or west of Java it's a worth while film. I loved it April 21, 2007

"We have a very good chance if we get to deep waters!"

The eruption of Krakatoa--an Indonesian volcano on Pulan island between Java and Sumatra--in 1883, is one of the most catastrophic witnessed by man...

The volcano's collapse triggered a series of tsunamis, or tidal waves, recorded as far away as South America and Hawaii... The greatest wave, which reached a height of 120 feet and took 36,000 lives in nearby coastal towns of Java and Sumatra, occurred just after the climactic explosion...

The scenes of the natural force (fireballs, typhoon, volcanic eruptions, tidal wave...) are of the most spectacular to charm the huge Cinerama screen...

Throughout the extraordinary cataclysm, the film is an epic adventure where we watch: A shipwreck with a hidden treasure; the best underwater man; deep-sea Polynesian divers with shattered lungs and claustrophobia; 30 dangerous convicts; mutiny and fire on the 'Batavia Queen'; singing nuns with innocent children; and a lost orphan boy looking for his mother...

Maximilian Schell is the valiant captain; Brian Keith, the troublemaker; Rossano Brazzi, the stubborn father; Sal Mineo, the rebel; Diana Baker the loving mother; and Barbara Werle, the obedient sweetheart...

Bernard L.Kowalski--in his feature film debut as director--achieves with effectiveness and ability an entertaining motion picture of an incredible day that shook the Earth where all life on the Krakatoa island group are buried under a raging river of molten lava with a terrifying tidal wave spreading its very high waters over the poor port of Anjer, and a very wise captain taking his ship to deep waters...

January 3, 2007

Not bad, if you start the picture half-way thru...

You'd think a picture this bad would at least get the title right (Krakatoa is WEST of Java). High production values keep this one a notch above the rest; it is somewhat of a pioneer in the disaster genre. A contrived plot about greed, sunken treasure, young love, old love, etc. seem to only be here to waste our time. I recommend that you skip to #13 in the scene selection and revel in the magnificent Oscar-nominated special effects (it lost to "Marooned"). There's another huge, all-star cast to create implausible histrionics; I'm regularly amazed that the inept Diane Baker's career lasted as long as it did. (22years later she had a small role in "Silence of the Lambs") I still watch the film to be entertained by the bad acting and great effects. Not bad for the price. The Anchor Bay edition is 131 minutes in a widescreen that is clean and clear. Check it out... December 17, 2006

sparked the disaster genre, but this is pretty bad

My son was clamoring to see this, so I finally got it. He likes volcanoes and action/adventure, so I thought it would be a sure hit. Unfortunately, it was so bad that he didn't want to watch it, even when the special effects ending was near.

While I remember having seen this when it came out, I too was surprised at how crude the story line was, how few interesting characters there were, and how appalingly loose it was with the facts - afterall, Krakatoa is WEST of Java!!

Thus, in spite of its spearheading the "better" disaster films (Towering Inferno, etc.) there is very little to recommend this film on any level. July 7, 2006

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