Master of the World (1961 film)

Master of the World is a 1961 American adventure science fiction film directed by William Witney and starring Vincent Price, Charles Bronson, Henry Hull, and Mary Webster. The film is loosely based on two novels by Jules Verne: Robur the Conqueror and its sequel Master of the World.

The plot centers around Robur (Vincent Price), a brilliant but eccentric inventor who possesses a colossal airship named the Albatross. Robur, disillusioned with the destructive nature of warfare on Earth, intends to enforce world peace by force, using the Albatross to bombard nations with bombs filled with non-lethal explosives, thus ending war through coercion. A government inspector, Prudent (Henry Hull), his daughter Dorothy (Mary Webster), and his assistant, Strock (Charles Bronson), are inadvertently captured aboard the Albatross and forced to witness Robur's attempts to enforce his vision. Strock develops conflicted feelings as he admires Robur's intellect but disagrees with his methods. Eventually, the Albatross is critically damaged and crashes, presumably killing Robur and his crew. The survivors escape and return to civilization, questioning the wisdom and morality of Robur's actions.

The film is notable for its use of special effects, particularly its depiction of the Albatross. While considered somewhat dated by modern standards, the film remains a cult classic for its earnest portrayal of Verne's themes of technological advancement, utopian ideals, and the dangers of unchecked ambition. Vincent Price's performance as Robur is a highlight, capturing the character's intelligence, idealism, and ultimately, his tragic flaw of believing that peace can be achieved through violence.