The Entrance to Hell! The Island at the Top of the World is directed by Robert Stevenson and adapted to screenplay by John Whedon from the novel The Lost Ones written by Ian Cameron. It stars Donald Sinden, David Hartman, Jacques Marin, Mako and Agneta Eckemyr. Music is by Maurice Jarre and cinematography by Frank Phillips. Out of Walt Disney productions, this is a pic that finds the house of the mouse desperately trying to keep their live action fantasy flame ablaze. Unfortunately, in spite of some appealing production shunts, it's really rather dull and performed in the same manner. Plot has Sinden as an aristo type who has arranged an expedition to search the Arctic wastes for his lost son, Donald, who disappeared two years previously. Gathering up archaeologist Hartman and a dirigible piloted by Marin, they set off to the fabled place at the top of the world, a place where whales are said to go and die in peace. Will they make it? If so what will they find there? There's an old fashioned feel to proceedings, of adventure movies from decades before, but with that also comes the familiarity of knowing what will happen in the story. The characters are one dimensional stereotypes, completed by a comedy canine. The effects veer from poor to even poorer, though not lacking in imagination and always colourful via Phillips' lens filters. Ultimately it's one for kiddies and nostalgists, a noticed served of a mighty studio cutting corners and running out of ideas for the format to hand, thus the film suffers greatly for it. 5/10
A very good film! I felt thoroughly entertained for the entirety of the 93 minute run time of 'The Island at the Top of the World'. The special effects may have aged in quite funky and mildly chucklesome fashion, but the great adventure elements, pinpoint pacing and terrific cast help the film keep a high footing. Donald Sinden (Ross), David Hartman (Ivarsson) and Jacques Marin (Brieux) are all fantastic in their respective roles, none of them necessarily stand out by themselves but they really do bounce off each other impressively - kudos to the casting. I would've liked a tad more development into Sinden's character and his concurrent decisions, especially with what occurs with Mako (Oomiak). The music is done ably by Maurice Jarre, it adds a strong amount to the onscreen affairs. The premise is enjoyable, thanks to the fact that it keeps moving forward to avoid each location or event becoming repetitive. The final act isn't as great as what proceeds it, though it's still a positive climax. A sequel would've been cool to see, shame it was canned due to a poor box office. In similar terms, I think a current day remake would be excellent - better effects would do this story wonders. A top adventure, give it a watch!
_**Jules Verne-like adventure about finding a lost colony of Vikings**_ A British aristocrat (Donald Sinden) in London, 1907, arranges an expedition to the arctic in a state-of-the-art airship to find his lost son (David Gwillim). Along for the ride are an archaeologist (David Hartman), the captain of the vessel (Jacques Marin) and a fearless Eskimo (Mako). They are astonished to find a settlement of Vikings, but they value their privacy. "The Island at the Top of the World" (1974) is in the tradition of Jules Verne or Edgar Rice Burroughs-inspired adventures like “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” (1954) and “Mysterious Island” (1961). Unfortunately it failed at the box office while the similar “The Land that Time Forgot,” released a few weeks earlier, was a modest hit. Go figure because both are equally worth checking out if you’re in the mood for high adventure with fantasy elements. If you like these kinds of colorful movies you’ll appreciate this one. While it uses some quaint effects like matte work and indoor sets, there’s also a lot of magnificent outdoor footage, including animals, and the Vikings are surprisingly convincing, speaking Old Norse. You just have to adapt to the old style of filmmaking. Agneta Eckemyr as the lovely Freyja is a highlight in the manner of Agnetha Fältskog of ABBA in the 70s. Too bad we don’t get to see more of her à la Beth Rogan in “Mysterious Island.” Some have dubbed this “the last great adventure yarn from the old line Disney studio.” While there’s a smidgen of Disney humor, don’t expect anything eye-rolling like the set-bound and ludicrous “In Search of the Castaways” (1962). This is leagues better. The journey to the arctic takes a bit of time while maintaining interest, but when the Viking colony is discovered there are thrills galore till the end, including unexpected ones. The film runs 1 hour, 33 minutes, and was shot in Walt Disney Studios, Burbank, California; Redmond, Oregon; and Norway. GRADE: B+/A-
Discovered this the other day in a tin of DVDs. It is a little bit far-fetched, but nonetheless a smashing Disney family adventure about a millionaire who sets off to the Arctic in an airship with a professor and a slightly grumpy French captain (the frequently scene-stealing Jacques Marin) to track down his missing son. They pick up an unwilling Eskimo en route to a volcanic island inhabited by long lost Vikings and there their enterprise begins. There is some lovely scenery and wildlife photography interspersed with the action and the dramatic scenes hold up well after almost 50 years. The acting isn't great nor is the script, but it boasts a fine Maurice Jarre score and it did take me fondly down memory lane back to when I saw this in the cinema aged 7.
The King of Far Far Away has died and Shrek and Fiona are to become King & Queen. However, Shrek wants to return to his cozy swamp and live in peace and quiet, so when he finds out there is another heir to the throne, they set off to bring him back to rule the kingdom.
Movie Star Rating : 6.3 Read More
Pete, a young orphan, runs away to a Maine fishing town with his best friend a lovable, sometimes invisible dragon named Elliott! When they are taken in by a kind lighthouse keeper, Nora, and her father, Elliott's prank playing lands them in big trouble. Then, when crooked salesmen try to capture Elliott for their own gain, Pete must attempt a daring rescue.
Movie Star Rating : 6.3 Read More
After telling the story of Flint's last journey to young Jim Hawkins, Billy Bones has a heart attack and dies just as Jim and his friends are attacked by pirates. The gang escapes into the town where they hire out a boat and crew to find the hidden treasure, which was revealed by Bones before he died. On their voyage across the seas, they soon find out that not everyone on board can be trusted.
Movie Star Rating : 6.6 Read More
As the son of a Viking leader on the cusp of manhood, shy Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III faces a rite of passage: he must kill a dragon to prove his warrior mettle. But after downing a feared dragon, he realizes that he no longer wants to destroy it, and instead befriends the beast – which he names Toothless – much to the chagrin of his warrior father.
Movie Star Rating : 7.8 Read More
Tim Avery, an aspiring cartoonist, finds himself in a predicament when his dog stumbles upon the mask of Loki. Then after conceiving an infant son "born of the mask", he discovers just how looney child raising can be.
Movie Star Rating : 4.1 Read More
A sailor escapes a mutiny on his ship and finds himself stranded on a jungle island-with a tribe of gorgeous amazon women.
Movie Star Rating : 6 Read More
Erik the Viking gathers warriors from his village and sets out on a dangerous journey to Valhalla, to ask the gods to end the Age of Ragnorok and allow his people to see sunlight again. A Pythonesque satire of Viking life.
Movie Star Rating : 5.8 Read More
In this swords-and-sorcery tale, good-hearted blacksmith Eyvind hides away infant Prince Siegfried after two malevolent kings murder his father. But a fiery meteor sent by the gods reveals Siegfried's destiny, sending him on the quest of a lifetime. To save a crumbling kingdom claim the heart of his true love, he'll have to slay the nefarious dragon, Fafnir.
Movie Star Rating : 6.2 Read More
Robinson Crusoe flees Britain on a ship after killing his friend over the love of Mary. A fierce ocean storm wrecks his ship and leaves him stranded by himself on an uncharted island. Left to fend for himself, Crusoe seeks out a tentative survival on the island, until he meets Friday, a tribesman whom he saves from being sacrificed. Initially, Crusoe is thrilled to finally have a friend, but he has to defend himself against the tribe who uses the island to sacrifice tribesman to their gods. During time their relationship changes from master-slave to a mutual respected friendship despite their difference in culture and religion.
Movie Star Rating : 5.9 Read More
The viking chief Hjorvard has two wild sons, Glum and Garm, both notorious berserkers.
Movie Star Rating : 0 Read More
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