Review(s): DVD The Island at the Top of the World (30th Anniversary Edition)
Nice Idea; Weak Execution
I have always been a big fan of Disney movies. When this movie came out in the 1970s I chose to spend my money on this movie rather than other (better, as I found out later) movies. I was somewhat disappointed at that time that the movie was relatively cheesy in the special effects department. I had to wonder whether my perceptions had changed in 30+ years.
The story begins with a lot of promise. Sir Anthony Ross (Donald Sinden) is on a mission to find his son, who was lost on an Artic expedition. He "recruits" Professor John Ivarsson (David Hartman) to go on the trip. Ivarsson is an American archeologist who also happens to speak the language of the Vikings. Sorry. He has read the language of the ancient Vikings.
Sir Anthony has commissioned a motorized balloon to take his search to the Arctic. While there are a few places where the balloon is readily discernible as a model, the balloon was one of the most charming features of this movie, and one of the best special effects.
Sir Anthony's modes of operation include all manner of highhanded and arrogant activities. In addition to coercing Ivarsson, he is dictatorial with Captain Brieux, the pilot of the balloon, he kidnaps Oomiak (Mako), an Eskimo who was with Donald Ross (David Gwillim) when the great blizzard struck, and generally acts like an arrogant jerk through most of the movie. I began to cringe every time he opened his mouth, and I suspect you will too.
Sir Anthony's expedition reaches a lost colony of Vikings on an island they call Astragard. Fortunately, Professor Ivarsson speaks the language. Of course, Sir Anthony's son would have learned the language by then as well, not to mention having fallen for Freyja (Agneta Eckmeyr), a local blonde lass. Of course there are obligatory moments of tension as the adventurers are accused of being invaders, the mandatory execution, the escape, and all the excitement that goes with a Disney showdown between the bad guys and the good guys.
The movie has high moments. I was fascinated when a propeller broke over the ocean. Nearly every scene with the balloon was a winner. Some of the scenes on the lost island of Astragard were very good, including portions that looked suspiciously like they were "inspired" by "In Search of the Castaways."
The acting was uniformly poor. David Hartman's face was deadpan through the entire movie. His face actually showed emotion in the final scene for the first time. I found Sir Anthony to be obnoxious. I wondered whether the director was poking fun at the English by having the American counsel caution and attempt to be tactful while Sir Anthony was worse than a bull in a china shop. Many of the supporting actors were just as weak, often looking like they were waiting for their cue to speak, standing in place unnaturally. However, the cast had two characters I enjoyed. Mako was good as long-haired Oomiak. The movie was much more interesting because of the addition of Oomiak. I also liked Captain Brieux. Of course, Oomiak and Captain Brieux appeared to have honest emotions, and the two of them together had more emotions that the rest of the cast put together.
There were many places in the movie where the special effects were obvious. The mattes, lava flows and blue screen effects were nearly always painfully obvious. Each time I watch one of the running scenes against a blue screen I wonder how the actors kept from being completely embarrassed. I will refrain from describing how poor the killer whales appeared in their attack scene.
This 1974 movie had a chance of being as good as Disney's adventure movies of the 60s. However, there were too many things going against it. The acting was weak, the plot was excessively derivative, and the special effects were poor even by Disney's standards. In spite of all the bashing, I am actually fond of this movie. It has a certain cheesy charm that allows me to watch it after having seen it several times over the years. I am hesitant to recommend this movie because of its weaknesses, but if you are looking for another movie in the style of "In Search of the Castaways" and the Disney version of "Swiss Family Robinson," then you may want to give this one a try.
Back when Disney was fun.
Island at the Top of the World was probably not one of Disney's better live action movies.Most of the fans saw it back when they were kids in the early 70's and it has managed to hang in a few peoples memories. The acting isnt bad save for David Hartman who is barely believable. The story isnt bad but not very believable either. Still, you really have to appreciate the large matte paintings used for backdrops and sets. They must have been difficult to make.You also have to give Disney credit at the time for not making the lost Norse tribe speak English.With all the costumes and make up and sets it definitely feels like a '70s movie.
Surprisingly Disney managed to put some extras on this dvd. One short documentary, made just prior to the films release, is included. You have to laugh when the narrator says things like "this film is destined to become a classic movie" and "If X and Y and Z had happend, then a tribe of Norsemen could still be living today". Oh please!
Buy it if your nostalgic,or you appreciate the effort of movie makers back then, you wont be disappointed. Rent it if you have never heard of it.
"So there is a place where whales go to die."
Visit the lost Nordic island paradise known as Astragard, located in the midst of the icy, artic tundra...see Vikings as they existed a thousand years ago...but take care not to anger Godin or the old gods, or you may find yourself taking part in the lesser known tradition of being strapped to a wooden raft as it's lit afire, and set adrift to sea...
The Island at the Top of the World (1974), released by the good folks at Disney, encompasses many different elements. It's science fiction, drama, high adventure, fantasy, but most of all it's just plain fun. Directed by Robert Stevenson, who directed a slew of Disney films from the early 60's and into the 70's, most notably The Absent Minded Professor (1961), Mary Poppins (1964), The Love Bug (1968), and Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971), The Island at the Top of the World stars the toothsome David Hartman (Good Morning America), and Donald Sinden (The Day of the Jackal). Also appearing is a very youthful looking Mako (Conan the Barbarian), Jacques Marin (Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?), English television actor David Gwillim and the very Swedish Agneta Eckemyr (The Kentucky Fried Movie).
As the film, set in the early 20th century, begins, we learn of an expedition being planned by rich English businessman Sir Anthony Ross (Sinden), one with the intention of finding his son David (Gwillim), who's been lost for the past two years. Seems David had been in the artic searching for the mythical graveyard of whales, as there's gold in them thar whale bones (not actual gold, but the bones fetch a handsome price). Anyway, Ross enlists the aid of American archeologist Prof. John Ivarsson (Hartman), in a round about sort of way, and they proceed in a fantastic airship called the Hyperion, piloted by a froggy Frenchman named Captain Brieux (Jacques Marin). The journey is perilous, but they do manage to find David, with the help of an Eskimo named Oomiak (Mako) living amongst an isolated colony of Vikings on a lush island, located smack dab in the middle of the artic, its' existence due to volcanic hot springs. All seems well...that is until the Vikings, whose sagas foretell foretell their destruction at the hands of outsiders, turn on the group and decree they must be killed. With the help of a local girl David's sweet on named Freyja (Eckemyr), the outsiders manage to escape, but are now hunted by angry Norsemen, and their outlook seems grim. Will our plucky adventurers have traveled so far only to meet their end on the island at the top of the world? I'll never tell...well, unless the price is right...
The Island at the Top of the World is a wonderfully entertaining tale reminiscent of classic films based on Jules Verne novels (this film wasn't adapted from one of his works) like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Mysterious Island, and Journey to the Center of the Earth (this last one is scheduled to be remade in 2005). I was puzzled about the casting of David Hartman in one of the lead roles (I guess Doug McClure was unavailable at the time, as this gig would have been right up his alley). Hartman does all right, but he just didn't project the presence I would have expected from the role, and so Donald Sinden, much stronger actor, basically takes over most of the scenes the two share. I thought it odd that Sinden's character came off as a jerk as much as he did, in the beginning at least, but then soon realized it served a purpose as the character seems to begin to learn humility as the story progresses. The other actors played their parts well, and seemed cast well. The direction by Stevenson is great, as he keeps things interesting and moving along at a fairly brisk pace. The special effects aren't the greatest, but given the enormity of their undertaking in the context of the film, and the degree of difficultly in bringing to life the elements necessary to create a world forgotten by time, I don't think many will find cause to hold these minor shortcomings against the production as a whole. The level of detail within the film, especially with regards to the Vikings, is exceptional, and really serves to place the viewer within the story. The plot is strong, with a few minor exceptions not really worth mentioning, and thoroughly interesting and enjoyable. It's not very complex, but given the intended audience were primarily children, it's understandable. The great thing is the film doesn't sink to a patronizing level so often seen in movies made for children, and displays a degree of intelligence, so not only children, but also adults can enjoy it.
The wide screen picture presented on this DVD looks really nice, and audio is clear and crisp. The picture does suffer some very minor wear due to age (white speckling), but it's barely perceptible. Given this is the 30th anniversary edition release, Disney provides some interesting extras in a behind the scenes featurette, special effects camera dailies, a 1968 pre-production trailer (if you haven't seen the film, do not watch this prior to watching the movie as it will give away too much), and original theatrical trailers and TV spots. There is previous edition DVD of this film available, one released by Anchor Bay Entertainment, and I have not seen that version or what special features it may have, so make sure you verify which version you want before purchase. I think Anchor Bay had a deal with Disney to originally release many of their older films on to DVD, but now, probably because the format is establish, Disney has since decided to release these films on their own, and reap the rewards. Pretty savvy business sense, I suppose, but often it creates havoc with customers as low production runs lead to out of print DVDs and cause price gouging up the wazoo...
Cookieman108
Related DVD's The Island at the Top of the World (30th Anniversary Edition)
In Search of the Castaways was Hayley Mills's third feature for Disney, an agreeable adventure--loosely based on a Jules Verne story--with enough derring-do to make kids happy and with the right touch of self-conscious silliness to keep adults smiling. Mills plays Mary Grant, a missing freighter captain's daughter convinced her father is still alive somewhere in Earth's southern hemisphere. With the help of her brother (Keith Hamshire) and a veteran seaman (an extremely unlikely if charming Maurice Chevalier), Mary convinces a shipping magnate, Lord Glenarvan (Wilfrid Hyde-White), to set sail and find the missing Captain Grant. The team survives freezing weather, avalanches, a menacing condor, an active volcano, Maori captors, and a plot by a slick George Sanders to steal a ship.... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Maurice Chevalier - Hayley Mills - George Sanders Director(s): Robert Stevenson DVD Release Date: Released the 03 May 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
List Price: $19.99 Your Price: $17.99YOU SAVE $2!
Buy it
The swashbuckler genre bumped into science fiction in 1954 for one of Hollywood's great entertainments. The Jules Verne story of adventure under the sea was Walt Disney's magnificent debut into live-action films. A professor (Paul Lukas) seeks the truth about a legendary sea monster in the years just after the Civil War. When his ship is sunk, he, his aide (Peter Lorre), and a harpoon master (Kirk Douglas) survive to discover that the monster is actually a metal submarine run by Captain Nemo (James Mason). Along with the rollicking adventure, it's fun to see the future technology that Verne dreamed up in his novel, including diving equipment and sea farming. The film's physical prowess is anchored by the Nautilus, an impressive full-scale gothic submarine complete with red carpet and... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Kirk Douglas - James Mason Director(s): Richard Fleischer DVD Release Date: Released the 20 May 2003 Usually ships in 24 hours
List Price: $19.99 Your Price: $15.99YOU SAVE $4!
Buy it
Purportedly one of Walt Disney's most personal pet projects, Darby O'Gill shows the effort and care put into it. Even now the special effects hold up shockingly well. Darby O'Gill is an estate caretaker, but in his advanced years he's more fond of telling tall tales in the local pub about the wee folk than keeping the grounds. A new man (a very youthful Sean Connery) is sent in to take his place, and O'Gill doesn't know what will become of himself and his daughter. He snags three spectacular opportunities, however, when he catches the king of the leprechauns. This film is whimsical without being silly, supernatural without being outlandish, and all and all a treat for the whole family. --Keith SimantonMore Info about this DVD Actor(s): Albert Sharpe - Janet Munro - Sean Connery Director(s): Robert Stevenson DVD Release Date: Released the 03 August 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
List Price: $19.99 Your Price: $15.99YOU SAVE $4!
Buy it
Shortly after Dick Van Dyke played Bert in Mary Poppins, he starred as Lt. Robin Crusoe in this lesser known 1966 comedy, splendidly showcasing his myriad comedic talents in a South seas setting. Families who remember Van Dyke’s riotous romp as Navy-pilot-turned-island-native will appreciate this digital release of the original film. The laughs begin from the moment Crusoe is marooned at sea on a military-issue rubber raft and fights off a shark while reading a step-by-step survival guide. By the time he washes ashore on the island, discovers the wonders of bamboo, and stumbles upon a poker-playing astro-Chimp, audiences are given over to the gigglefest. Nancy Kwan, as Wednesday, adds to the merriment as the island’s other castaway who plays a humorous game of charades... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Dick Van Dyke - Nancy Kwan Director(s): Byron Paul DVD Release Date: Released the 12 April 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
List Price: $19.99 Your Price: $17.99YOU SAVE $2!
Buy it
This Disney film, based on a true story of a young man's quest in the mid-1800's to conquer a mountain in the Swiss Alps that claimed the life of his father 16 years earlier is visually stunning, realistic, and an exciting story. For those of us who are Michael Rennie fans, we get very few films in which Rennie has a featured role. In this one, as famed British mountain climber John Winter, who takes a liking to the young man and who helps him (James MacArthur) to reach his goal, Rennie shines and makes this 1959 movie a must for his fans.
The combination of Rennie, a rollicking adventure story, and the location filming in the Swiss Alps make this film a treat all around. More Info about this DVD Director(s): Ken Annakin DVD Release Date: Released the 07 September 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
List Price: $19.99 Your Price: $17.99YOU SAVE $2!
Buy it
