The Island at the Top of the World (1974)

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

i agree with some of these reviews island wa exciting at the age of 9 primarily because during the 70s era there was very little else.however being at the age of fifty to some of them are completely unwatchable now. the majority of them were good decent films however Disney lacked at times this film is one of them.i can appreciate the work but the storyline on this one is dull and non engaging.this was released at Christmas time of 1974 so it must have done well considering that there was most likely nothing better in the cinema that Christmas period nothing my sharp memory can pull up anyway and it was cheaper in those days than now. must have been a dollar fifty to get into the theater so thats why Disney always had large attendances. these days the film has to be spectacular or it will die a quick death at the box office. also in those days studios didn't have big bucks to make a film like they do these days thefore we have to look at the times these films were released in in order to better evaluate their entertainment level.the Disney studios worked well with what they had to work with at the period these films were released in. only when we get older o we ever say cant believe i bought what i was watching plus our minds were more younger therefore most likely more tolerable.

The Island at the Top of the WorldThe upside to the melting ice caps is that sun-seekers can finally access those time-shares they bought before the last ice age.Mind you, the explorers in this action-adventure movie aren't looking for cozy accommodations.Determined to locate his son (David Gwillim) who went missing on an expedition to find an island in the arctic where whales go to die, a nobleman (Donald Sinden) hires an archaeologist (David Hartman), an Inuit (Mako) and a balloonist (Jacques Marin) to fly them aboard his dirigible.Soon, the searchers not only discover the legendary bone yard, but also a lost Viking tribe and an active volcano that threatens their aerial escape. Featuring fanatical savages, killer whales and middle-age heroes, this fanciful - but mostly forgotten - live-action Walt Disney escapade from the 1970s is an interesting albeit hokey history lesson.What's more, the real place where whales go to die is called SeaWorld.Yellow Lightvidiotreviews.blogspot.ca

In 1907, a wealthy Englishman recruits an American archaeologist and a French dirigible pilot to help him find a mysterious island in the Arctic where he believes he will find his missing son. When they locate the island, they find its inhabited by a lost Viking civilization that aren't too happy to see the outsiders.Enjoyable Disney adventure film that's a throwback of sorts to similar films of the 1950s and early 1960s. It immediately brings to mind movies based on the works of Jules Verne, although it's actually an adaptation of the Ian Cameron novel "The Lost Ones." Handling the screenplay is John Whedon, a writer who worked mostly in sitcom television and also happens to be the grandfather of Joss Whedon. Directing the film is Disney favorite Robert Stevenson. It's a good-looking picture with nice sets and matte paintings. The scenes with the dirigible model are pretty good. There are no Harryhausen monsters to speak of, sadly, but there is a groan-tastic scene involving killer whales. The cast is decent, with most of the actors playing stereotype stock characters. Mako's turn as a cowardly Eskimo is probably the most colorful performance in the film. Maurice Jarre's evocative score is a big plus. The journey to discover the island is the best part. Once they arrive and deal with the Vikings, it becomes a lot less interesting, although things do pick back up during the escape. It's not going to give 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea or Mysterious Island a run for their money, but it's very entertaining in its own way. Give it a shot if you're a fan of old-school adventure films, Disney or not, and you'll likely find something to enjoy here.

One of the most painful acknowledgments you often have to make in adult life is admitting that the vast majority of movies that you loved so much as a child are actually quite stupid and insipid when seen again through the eyes of a grown-up. I've seen so many fond childhood memories deteriorate into disappointment that I've almost become reluctant to seek out my former favorites. Luckily enough this statement doesn't apply to "The Island at the Top of the World"! I loved it as a young boy, I still love it now. This timeless Disney adventure with obvious Jules Verne echoes still delivers non-stop entertainment from start to finish, provided through breathtaking imagery and landscapes, fantastically imaginative plot twists, spectacular action footage and a dazzling musical score by Maurice Jarre. This is the story of an obnoxious British businessman, a suave scientist and a cocky French zeppelin pilot embarking on a highly perilous journey to the Arctic and beyond, to a mythical region no living being ever set foot. Sir Anthony Ross hopes to find his son Donald who, after a familial dispute, ran off on an Arctic expedition but hasn't been heard of since. After a long and eventful trip full of obstacles through the cold and windy arctic mountains, the travelers and their reluctant Eskimo guide suddenly arrive in a flourishing volcanic area where time seemingly hasn't evolved for thousands of years. They find Donald, who has integrated into a Viking community that has claimed the island ever since their forefather arrived and still live according to ancient Northern rites and traditions. The welcoming of the new explorers isn't exactly a hearty one. "The Island at the Top of the World" made me feel 8 years old again and I eagerly allowed myself to be overwhelmed by all the nostalgic goodness. I still can't choose one standout favorite scenes. There are so many! The awesome airship's battle against the storm, fleeing on foot through an erupting volcano, the ancient traditional Viking trial or the attacking of the orca killer whales! Admittedly most of the special effects and tricky photography look extremely dated by now, but this only adds to the nostalgic charm. David Hartman and Donald Sinden depict very diverse characters, but still they're both wonderful British stereotypes. Jacques Marin gives away the best performance as the Captain and the always reliable Mako is terrific as the Eskimo guide. The Vikings, all authentic Scandinavian actors, especially impress through their robust personalities and clothing. Agneta Eckemyr is incredibly cute as the love interest. Perfect Saturday afternoon entertainment… forever!