Hailed as one of the greatest films of all time, The Incredible Mr. Limpet is a story about the wonders of imagination and the triumph of the spirit. Live-action and 2-D animation combine to tell the story of a man who lon... more »gs to be a fish after he is classified by the Navy as an F4 - "too small and too weak to be a soldier." When his dream of being a fish becomes a reality, Henry uses his underwater prowess to become the Navy's strongest secret weapon.« less
If you remember this movie from childhood, it might have been from watching it on television. The DVD version is so incredibly clear that I felt like I was in the front row of a theater watching actors in a play.
It is a fun story of a timid man (the incredible Don Knotts), who wants more than anything to be a fish - he feels fish are excellent in every way and imagines that he would fit in very well under the water. In a magical event, he gets his wish, and it turns out that he is no kind of a timid fish! As a fish, he has a special ability that turns out to be a benefit to the US Navy. He finds out that he can help the US in the water in a way he could never do as a mere human. He even manages to find a special Ladyfish.
This is a fun, family film that will bring back memories for many of us who grew up on Don Knotts comedies, and Andy Griffith re-runs!
5 of 6 member(s) found this review helpful.
Ann M. from HAMMOND, LA Reviewed on 8/2/2011...
A classic from my childhood...modern kids probably don't think too much of it though!
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Sharon M. (goldleader) from SELMER, TN Reviewed on 12/21/2010...
A classic that every child should watch. Don Knotts at his finest.
3 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Ginger S. Reviewed on 11/21/2010...
Like other members have stated, this is a childhood favorite. The story is so well done that I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with this film. Don Knotts is the best and the cartoons are brilliant.
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Barbara B. (amethystrose) from TALLAHASSEE, FL Reviewed on 9/1/2009...
This movie was one of my favorites when I was a child. I was very happy to be able to acquire it again through Swap-A-DVD.
The Incredible Mr. Limpet is a charming movie, very typical of Disney's style during the 1960's. Like many great Disney lead characters, Mr. Harry Limpet is a bit eccentric (Don Knotts). His biggest disappointment in life is that he was unable to join the navy and serve his country due to his poor eyesight among other things. He loves his fish probably more than his wife and certainly more than his life. He even keeps a goldfish in the water cooler at his office, which is very upsetting to his secretary. He spends hours and hours just staring at his fish tanks wishing that he could be a fish. Amazingly, during a visit to Coney Island his wish comes true. He falls into the ocean and is transformed into a fish. His wife and friend think he has drowned.
As a fish, Mr. Limpet makes friends with a hermit crab whom he names "Crusty" and another fish who looks like the female version of his own species whom he names simply "Ladyfish". Crusty rides along on Limpet similar to how Sebastian rides along with Flounder in The Little Mermaid. One might also wonder if Marlin and Dory's relationship in Finding Nemo might have taken some ideas from Mr. Limpet and Ladyfish. He also learns that he can make a loud noise (he calls it his "thrum") in the water which is helpful for chasing away whales and saving his lady friend.
After encountering a submarine, he realizes that he could serve his country as a fish much better than he ever could as a human. He uses his loud "thrum" to guide the US Battle Cruisers to the underwater Nazi submarines. But the Nazis hear about this new "secret weapon" and target the thrumming noise in an attempt to destroy Limpet.
This is a happy, comedic children's fantasy movie, and the smoothness of integrating the animation with live action was way ahead of its time. This movie is fun for the whole family!