Transatlantic Tunnel: A Very Long Walk Under the Ocean

Is it worth your time?

If you have a thing for mid-thirties optimism and people in suits staring intensely at blueprints, sure. If you need a movie that moves faster than a tectonic plate, skip this one. It’s for the history buffs and the folks who want to see how much plywood you can pass off as a scientific marvel.

The whole premise is just absurd. A tunnel across the Atlantic? They don't even talk about the pressure. It’s all about the guts and the glory of engineering.

The vibe

The sets are these massive, cavernous things that feel like they might collapse if someone sneezed too hard. There’s a scene early on where they are looking at a model of the tunnel, and the lighting is so dramatic I thought we were watching a horror movie instead of an industrial drama.

Richard Dix looks like he hasn't slept in a week. I mean, he’s trying to build a tunnel under the entire ocean with nothing but some stiff upper lips and a lot of shouting. He’s got that 1930s lead actor energy—all jawline and no actual breaks for coffee.

Small things I noticed

• The way people in this movie just walk into each other’s offices without knocking.
• The radio reports that sound like someone reading a grocery list at top speed.
• There is a moment involving a heat ray—yes, a heat ray—that comes out of absolutely nowhere. It’s delightful and stupid all at once.

I couldn't help but compare the pacing to something like Murder on the Blackboard. That movie knows how to keep things moving. Here, they just keep adding more drama about the board of directors. Nobody cares about the board of directors, guys! Just show me the water leaking in!

The ending feels like they ran out of money or patience. One minute we are deep under the sea, and the next, everyone is shaking hands and looking heroic. It’s a bit jarring. It feels like they realized they had to finish before the film stock ran out.

It’s not perfect. It’s barely even cohesive. But there’s something about the sheer scale of the attempt that’s kind of sweet. It reminds me of the weird ambition you see in The Soul Market, where the concept is way bigger than the tools they had to build it with.

Also, the hats. Everyone in this movie is wearing a hat, even when they’re deep underground. It’s a bold choice. I respect it.