They go in search of the
island where whales go to die. I have been enjoying all the Jules Vernon
styled films - whether based on his writings or others - PG adventure tales
for the whole family. I need to check out all the Doug McClure films that
came out about the same time as this. Looking for lost worlds in films is
a thing with a long history going back to The Lost World and She both in
1925, continuing with King Kong, Son of Kong, Tarzan and so on. There was
a revival with the Jules Verne films in the 1950s and in the 70's there were
quite a few. And they are still around with the Kong films. We still like
to think there is mystery out there, unexplored lands when in reality we
have McDonalds, Starbucks and tourists in every corner of the earth.
This has a fairly inventive plot filled with fantasy, cool sets and lots
of matte backgrounds. It is directed by Robert Stevenson who had directed
some fine films like the 1937 King Soloman's Mines (lost world) and the 1943
Jane Eyre (lost minds) - but he really seemed to find success when Disney
hired him in the late 1950s and a number of classics followed - Johnny Tremain,
Old Yeller, Darby O'Gill, The Absent Minded Professor, In Search of the Castaways
(lost world) and many more including his classic Mary Poppins. That is a
pretty good resume for a guy who doesn't get much credit. This is no classic
but enjoyable for what it is - family entertainment - back in the day. Now
people will bitch about a Japanese actor playing an Eskimo, I suspect. Or
wouldn't they freeze to death in the water. Yes, of course they would.
Sir Anthony Ross - played by Donald Sinden, a top British actor in the 1950s
and 60s - has lost his son. The son Donald (David Gwillim) went exploring
in the artic and never came back, Dad feels guilty for being a shitty father
and persuades archeological expert Ivarsson to come along. Ivarsson is played
by the dullest white man ever in film - David Hartman - and he proves it
once again. Dean Jones would have been better. This takes place in 1907 but
Ross has purchased a French dirigible to fly to the artic. I don't think
that would work, but I am no scientist. Off they go with Captain Brieux (Jacques
Marin) piloting. Adventures follow. They pick up an Eskimo guide on the way.
The great Mako! Born in Japan, came to America after the war when the Japanese
were not particularly popular and had a fine career in film. Just saw him
in a McHale's Navy episode the other night. They find a hidden civilization
of Norsemen - and Norsewomen - who are wisely not welcoming to strangers-
tourists! Burn them! Spain currently wants to do the same thing. The son
is there and has found himself a cutie blond Norse woman to keep him warm.
No wonder he never went home. A little bit of everything in this film - the
volcano of course - but towards the end I was thinking this was a Lost World
film without giant monsters. What kind of Lost World is that? But sure enough!
