The Island at the Top of the World (1974)

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-