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.
great movie, but do not throw out your vhs copy yet
Let me start off by saying that if you are looking to buy a copy to upgrade your old vhs copy of the same film, SAVE YOUR MONEY. Seriously, the Disney Studio has once again shown that they are one of the only studio on the planet that regularly releases old movies at a premium price without improving the image or sound. When other studios do it they sell them for less than $5 in the discout bins. Since they decided not to remaster the film and it has been poorly preserved, the new dvd version of the film has scratches, bad sound, bad color and was in full screen rather than wide screen. No extras even though there are tons of footage that could have been used. I would have liked to see the trailer, footage of Walt talking about the film, and from his trip to Switerland, the original 1955 Disney "People and Places" travelogue on Switzerland, and maybe a piece on the Matterhorn ride at Disneyland. So hold onto your vhs copy, or buy a used on here at Amazon rather than encourage Disney to keep up this butcher job on such great films.
The movie itself is terrific and held a special place in the heart of Walt Disney. It affected him so much he recreated the mountain in 1/100th scale at Disneyland. He took his family on vacation to Switzerland, and fell in love with the mountian and the book the story is derived from, "Banner in the Sky".
Released in 1959 it has endearing characters are brought to life as Rudi (by James MacArthur - son of Helen Hayes, look for her cameo - he also acted in Kidnapped, Swiss Family Robinson, and The Light in the Forest), Lizbeth (played by cheery Janet Munro who also appeared in Darby and the Little People, Swiss Family Robinson, the Horsemasters), and Michael Rennie as Captain Winter. The climbing scenes are very well done. Basically, young Rudi is the son of the best climbing guide in his village, who died tragically climbing the yet unconquered Matterhorn, or as they call it the Citadel. The sons mother refuses to let her son climb, and he is going crazy for it if it were not for the love and understanding of Lizbeth. Rudi is always in trouble for sneaking away to climb area mountains on his own. But the village is beginning to be shamed by the fact that the other guides have been afraid to climb the mountian in the 16 years since the tragedy. When a famous British climber arrives, Rudi and the town get their big chance. Very enjoyable story, dramatic wholesome family fare. My 9 year old loved the suspenseful climbing scenes.
The episode was released on the Wonderful World Of Disney television show in 1963, under the name of the original book.
disappointing Disney
Having read the cautionary reviews of my colleagues, regarding the quality of the dvd, I decided to purchase "Third Man On The Mountain" anyway. I, too, became enthralled with the story in grade school when I read Banner In The Sky and eagerly ran to the theater to see the story brought to life on film. You all know the tale, so I won't bore the reader by repeating it. The DVD transfer is a disgrace! Grainy, poor color correction; very painful to watch. I had hoped that the other reviewers were just being too technically critical, but they were spot on! If Disney is going to bring a film to DVD, it owes the consumer AND the filmmakers the courtesy of presenting the movie in the best possible manner! Disney failed us all miserably, and - because TMOTM is not a Disney "classic" it is likely we will never again see the pristine cinematography so lovingly shot back in the 50's. One other thing - could not determine if the film was ever shot in 'scope; was it just 1.33:1 aspect ratio originally?
My advice -don't buy the DVD unless you have no concern for quality. I returned mine and instead watch my old laserdisc (which was, in fact, a better transfer).
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.
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
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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
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While the production standards are very high (like all Disney films of that era), this version of Hans Brinker does not follow the original book very closely which is unfortunate since the original story is very well written and did not need to be changed. Having seen both movies, I recommend the musical version because it more closely follows the book, the music is nice, and the locations are great. More Info about this DVD Director(s): Norman Foster DVD Release Date: Released the 07 September 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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When a slightly cross-eyed Siamese cat named D.C. (Darn Cat) turns up with a wristwatch around his neck instead of a collar, it could be just the clue the FBI needs to crack a series of bank robberies in this lightweight comedy from Disney. The watch belongs to a bank teller who has been taken hostage. Dean Jones stars as the good-hearted FBI agent assigned to the case. Unfortunately, he is highly allergic to, you guessed it, cats. Hayley Mills is D.C.'s doting owner who hatches a hair-brained scheme to follow D.C.'s every move until he returns to the crooks' hideout where he got the wristwatch. After a lot of sneezing, slapstick, and comedic intrigue, the bank robbers are foiled, the hostage is safe, and everyone is happy. An impressive supporting cast of Frank Gorshin,... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Hayley Mills - Dean Jones Director(s): Robert Stevenson DVD Release Date: Released the 03 May 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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