🎬 The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003) – “The power of legends united.”
| Rating: IMDb: 5.8/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 17%
| Release Date: July 11, 2003
| Directed by: Stephen Norrington
| Main Cast: Sean Connery (Allan Quatermain), Naseeruddin Shah (Captain Nemo), Peta Wilson (Mina Harker), Tony Curran (Rodney Skinner, The Invisible Man), Stuart Townsend (Dorian Gray), Shane West (Tom Sawyer), Jason Flemyng (Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde), Richard Roxburgh (M, The Fantom)

Plot Summary

Based on Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill’s graphic novel, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen brings together famous literary characters in a steampunk-inspired action-adventure set in the late 19th century.

The film follows Allan Quatermain (Sean Connery), an aging adventurer, who is recruited to lead a team of extraordinary individuals—each possessing unique abilities—to stop a masked villain known as “The Fantom” from igniting a world war with advanced weaponry.

The team consists of:

• Captain Nemo (Naseeruddin Shah) – A brilliant scientist and skilled fighter with his advanced submarine, the Nautilus.
• Mina Harker (Peta Wilson) – A vampire with enhanced strength and the ability to control bats.
• Rodney Skinner (Tony Curran) – The Invisible Man, a cunning thief turned reluctant hero.
• Dorian Gray (Stuart Townsend) – The immortal literary character, hiding dark secrets.
• Dr. Henry Jekyll/Mr. Hyde (Jason Flemyng) – A man with superhuman strength when he transforms into Hyde.
• Tom Sawyer (Shane West) – An American spy and sharpshooter, providing a younger, action-driven perspective.

As the League embarks on a global mission, they uncover a sinister plot orchestrated by “M”, later revealed to be Professor Moriarty (Richard Roxburgh). His goal is to steal the League’s unique abilities to create an unstoppable army. The team travels from London to Venice and the Arctic, facing betrayals and high-stakes battles.

The climax sees Quatermain sacrificing himself to defeat Moriarty, but his death hints at a supernatural resurrection.

Key Highlights

1. Sean Connery’s Final Lead Role

This was Connery’s last starring role before his retirement, and while the film was critically panned, his commanding presence as Allan Quatermain remains a highlight.

2. A Unique Concept with Steampunk Aesthetics

The idea of bringing together famous literary characters like Dracula, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and Sherlock Holmes into a Victorian-era superhero team was highly ambitious. The steampunk gadgets, elaborate costumes, and grand sets make the film visually memorable.

3. Action-Packed Sequences

From the destruction of Venice to battles aboard the Nautilus, the film delivers explosive action, featuring sword fights, gun battles, and monstrous brawls with Hyde.

4. Betrayal and Twists

The reveal of Dorian Gray as a traitor adds a layer of intrigue, showing how Moriarty manipulates the team from within.

Cinematography and Visuals

The film embraces grand set designs and CGI-heavy sequences, especially for Nemo’s Nautilus and the Venice destruction scene. However, some effects feel dated due to the film’s early 2000s reliance on CGI.

Musical Score and Sound Design

The score by Trevor Jones blends orchestral adventure themes with darker tones, complementing the film’s mystical and action-driven atmosphere.

Strengths of the Film

✅ Fun action-adventure with an ensemble cast
✅ Exciting steampunk and literary elements
✅ Sean Connery’s charismatic performance
✅ Unique take on classic characters

Critiques

❌ Loose adaptation – The film greatly deviates from Alan Moore’s darker, more complex source material.
❌ Messy pacing and editing – The plot jumps from set piece to set piece without deep character development.
❌ Dated CGI – Some effects, particularly Hyde’s transformation and the destruction of Venice, feel noticeably artificial.
❌ Behind-the-scenes conflicts – Connery and director Stephen Norrington clashed, leading to a troubled production that hurt the film’s direction.

Legacy and Future

Despite its box-office success ($179 million worldwide), the film was panned by critics and led to Sean Connery’s retirement from acting. Plans for sequels and a shared universe were scrapped, but the League concept remains intriguing.

In 2022, reports emerged that 20th Century Studios is developing a reboot, potentially bringing a more faithful adaptation to modern audiences.

Hashtags

#LeagueOfExtraordinaryGentlemen #SteampunkAdventure #SeanConnery #ClassicLiterature #VictorianSuperheroes #AlanMoore