Around the World in 80 Days

Phileas Fogg, a precise English gentleman who lives by routine, bets his fortune that he can circle the world in eighty days. He hires Passepartout to manage the domestic chaos, and the pair depart London with a strict schedule in tow. Their route sweeps from port towns to crowded markets, across seas and vast landscapes, and through India, Hong Kong, Japan, North America and back to England, all in a race against time. Along the way a princess named Aouda is rescued, joining the group with grace and a touch of romance. A keen detective, Mr Fix, shadows their every move, adding pressure and comic misadventure as the journey unfolds. The chase brings practical jokes, close calls and near misses.

Directed by Michael Anderson, the film adapts Jules Verne with a screenplay by John Farrow and James Poe. Released in 1956, it presents a lavish globe-spanning production that blends brisk adventure with broad humor and a sense of old Hollywood spectacle.

With a budget near 6 million, it grossed about 42 million worldwide, a strong return for its era. The movie's extravagant production and international locations helped it become a major audience hit and a standout example of mid century blockbuster spectacle.

Cantinflas plays Passepartout with improvisational charm, providing warmth and comic relief that anchors the story. The Fogg and Passepartout partnership, paired with Princess Aouda, became a recognizable template for travel oriented adventures on screen. The film helped propel large scale, cross continental set pieces into popular culture. The film also demonstrates a rare co production dynamic that blends American star power with Latin comedy style.

Critical responses praised the scale, performances, and ambition, even as some reviewers felt the pacing sagged in places. The film toys with themes of time discipline versus spontaneity, cultural encounter and friendship across borders, offering a jaunty celebration of curiosity, travel, and human connection. Its scale influenced later epics and taste for global adventures in cinema.