Just after the end of the American Civil War a terrifying "Sea Monster" is destroying shipping at will, and a military expedition is created to track and kill the beast before more lives are lost. Famed oceanographer Professor Arronax and his assistant Conseil are on board when they are attacked by the creature far out at sea, it races towards them with a howling shriek, glowing eyes, and "breath like a furnace," tearing open their warship and sending it to the bottom with almost all hands. Adrift on the open ocean Arronax, Conseil, and a lone sailor, Ned Land, discover the "monster" at rest, but instead of a living creature they find a fantastical vessel, the Nautilus, its dedicated crew, and its commander, the driven and enigmatic Captain Nemo... now their adventure REALLY begins!!!