King Solomon's Mines (1950) Reviews

• The rod by which other Africa/Romance stories are measured

  
  By A20EEWWSFMZ1PN on 2002-07-28
  As with many of the great ones this is a remake of the 1937 movie and was made again in 1985. Just as we all know that Moses looks like Charleston Heston, we also know that Allan Quatermain looks like Stewart Granger. The movie also has many other greats as Richard Carlson of "Creature from the Black Lagoon" fame.

  Basic story is an adaptation from H. Rider Haggard, in which Elizabeth Curtis comes to Africa in search of her lost husband and eventually uses a large sum of money to recruit Allan Quatermain against his better judgment to lead the search. Naturally the two people even thought chaperoned have to resist nature taking its course.

  Eventually picking up a stranger (Umbopa) going their way they run into danger from animals, natives, and unscrupulous people. The title gives away the reason that the husband (Curtis) was in Africa to begin with.

  Will Curtis be found and what effect will it have on Allan and Elizabeth?
  
  

• The Great White Hunter meets the Lady with the Flaming Hair

  
  By A25ZVI6RH1KA5L on 2005-02-23
  I have not read H. Rider Haggard's novel from which the film King Solomon's Mines (1950) is based on (I'm woefully under read), but an informed source tells me the story presented here has little to do with the original work, save for the title, the main character of Alan Quartermain, and some minor details (heck, I think they even changed the main character's name, from Quatermain to Quartermain). This seems on par for Hollywood, taking a classic story, hacking it to pieces, keeping what they deem suitable, and then filling in the rest however they see fit...sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but it generally always serves to annoy someone who has read and enjoyed the original material, eliciting harsh criticisms and condemnations, but in terms of an action/adventure movie, I though it was pretty good...is it a classic? Well, if it's not, it's only a few frames shy of being so...the film lists two directors in Compton Bennett (Man-Eater) and Andrew Marton (Seven Wonders of the World). Given the large amount of secondary unit stuff presented in the film (those scenes not featuring the main actors, but scenes shot on location of the animals, native peoples and such), I couldn't help wonder if maybe one of these two was the second unit director who was given a full directing credit...the film stars the very attractive Deborah Kerr (From Here to Eternity, The King and I) and Stewart Granger (Scaramouche, The Prisoner of Zenda). Also appearing is Richard Carlson (Creature from the Black Lagoon, It Came from Outer Space) along with a cast of thousands...well, more like hundreds, in the form of true African native tribes..
  
  The story is set in the year 1897 and takes place in the deep heart of darkest, equatorial Africa. The film begins with a bang, literally, as we see Allan Quartermain (Granger) leading a hunting expedition whose prey is elephants (if you don't want to see a couple of pachyderms taken down, then fast forward or skip this film altogether...I was put off by it at first, but managed to get past it). Seems Quartermain is feeling his years (apparently he's been leading these types of expeditions much longer than anyone else), and also seems to be feeling dissatisfaction for the work itself. As he contemplates retiring, an opportunity to make a heaping wad of cash comes in the form of wealthy Englishwoman Elizabeth Curtis (Kerr), along with her brother John Goode (Carlson) to lead an expedition to search for Elizabeth's husband, who is lost in the jungles as he searched for the fabled King Solomon's mines. Quartermain is hesitant at first (a woman on an expedition?! Surely you must jest! And don't call me Shirley!), but soon relents as it's a really huge wad of cash. The group is soon off, traipsing into the interior, a place where few have dared venture, and none have returned. If this sounds ominous, it's meant to as the dangers come fast and furious in the forms of hostile natives, bitey animals, treacherous terrain, and more...
  
  I did enjoy this film a lot, despite a few perceived flaws on my part. The biggest being the first half of the film tended to get bogged down with showing as many different creatures as possible. You name it, we saw it...I guess I can understand if you're a studio, mounting a huge production in the wilds of Africa, you're going to make damn sure you get the most of it by showing as much of the location as possible, but it became tedious after awhile. I liked seeing the animals, but it seemed more often than not these scenes were filler rather than part of the story. There were some scenes were the animals were incorporated (like the wild stampede scene), but this wasn't the norm...perhaps this was more intriguing to 1950's audiences, who may not have ever seen actual footage of this relatively unknown continent. Regardless, once we get past this, the story picks up the pace, and things begin to move along. Granger is wonderful as the virile Great White Hunter, respectful of his place within wilds, surefooted and ever vigilant of the dangers present. I wouldn't have thought it possible given the nature of the character, but Granger infuses an underlying level of suaveness I found worked extremely well. One aspect I really liked was they had him speak some of the native tongues, rather than having the natives speak broken English, adding credibility to the film. Kerr is certainly beautiful, and presents a strong, yet feminine character, determined to find her lost husband for reasons all her own. I thought the romance subplot between the characters of Quartermain and Mrs. Curtis was unnecessary and clunky, but it was minor and generally stayed out of the way. I thought Carlson's character a bit weak, but I suppose I'm used to seeing him in starring roles in science fiction films and such, and not used to him being relegated to a rather insignificant role such as here. His main role seemed to be to provide a linkage between Elizabeth and Allan, forwarding their characters, but not his own. You could have removed his character from the film and ended up with about the same results. The use of real African natives and displaying their colorful garb and rituals was a real treat, as they're not shown to be ignorant third world hold outs but intelligent, rich with culture peoples in their natural environment.
  
  I'm unsure if anything was done in terms of restoration, but the first half of the film has a light gray tinge to it, which I found a bit depressing (hence 3 stars instead of 4). It clears around halfway through, thankfully. The print used does show wear, but it's decent enough, and is presented in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio. The audio seems very clean and clear. The only special feature included is a extremely worn trailer. All in all, a great film but lackluster DVD release.
  
  Cookieman108
  
  
  

• One of the greatest Adventures of alltime!

  
  By A35LWA8VY66G8F on 2005-03-09
  King Solomon's Mines features breathtaking photography of African wild life with the main stars in the actual locales. The stampede scene with Kerr and Granger left to their own devices along with the directors, is unbelievable in every sense.Nothing like it until the Buffalo stampede in the otherwise dismal How The West Was Won."
  Kerr and Granger are great actors;they invest their roles with great faith in what they are doing,entirely missing in current films of the same genre.
  
  The gorgeous Technicolor, the Watusi dances, later inspiring Bob Fosse, and the great Andrew Marton at the healm, directing with flair and wit and uncommon daring. No computer driven action scenes here.
  
  I love the cynicism of the film, Quatermain's idea of life summed up for him in the games the natives play. And Deborah Kerr, stepping into every dangerous hole and crevice where terrible creatures lurk..excellent in every way.
  
  Buy this and be amazed.
  
  

• Oh my stars! ACTUAL AFRICANS

  
  By A5SD8VUB6YKWC on 2005-09-10
  The 1950 version of "King Solomon's Mines" deserves a full 5 stars if only for one reason--it is one of the few movies even to this day which is set in Africa, filmed in Africa, and features actual Africans portraying Africans. In particular, the dance scene near the end almost has the quality of an ethnographic film, and is worth watching in itself because the lead dancer is one of the finest you will ever see.
  
  While it is true that this movie is barely the same story as the H. Rider Haggard novel, that can only be a good thing, as the book is racist and unbelievably sexist even by 19th century standards. The plot is indeed full of adventure, but there were several points where the descriptions of game hunting (without even taking the trophies! for literally no reason!) made me nauseous. By all means, read it and get a taste of 19th century British attitudes toward their colonies. It ain't pretty, by today's standards.
  
  Whether you love or hate the plot of the movie, this film is, in its way, a little piece of history. It's true the African actors aren't the main stars of the movie (though some of them are so charismatic they steal their scenes). But lest we forget, in 1932, only 18 years before, Edward G. Robinson and Loretta Young, and Boris Karloff and Myrna Loy all played Chinese people (in "The Hatchet Man" and "The Mask of Fu Manchu" respectively) because God forbid Hollywood would actually cast Chinese actors. It would be a long time before an African or African-American actor would be considered a big enough star to draw mainly white audiences, but "KSM" was a step in the right direction and it's a lot more engrossing movie because of it.
  
  

• A (qualified) glorious movie!

  
  By AK58GYKR4ZVNP on 2005-04-29
  As I sit here typing this review, on the wall before me is an actual 1950s poster from this movie--poster # 595. Before the days of wide release, a few posters traveled with the movies and were used again and again. The screaming ad copy says it all--MGM's ROMANTIC ADVENTURE! Filmed Entirely in the Wilds of Africa In Color by TECHNICOLOR--THOUSANDS OF THUNDERING AFRICAN JUNGLE BEASTS IN THE WILDEST STAMPEDE EVER FILMED!--H.RIDER HAGGARD'S AMAZING WORLD FAMOUS NOVEL BROUGHT TO THE SCREEN FOR THE FIRST TIME! (That last claim is either a fib or a blooper of a mistake by an ad department with collective short-term memory loss . . . I wonder what the movie of the same title starring Paul Robeson and Sir Cedric Hardwick released in 1937 was supposed to be . . . chopped liver?) Any way, this film is grand and glorious. Sure it deviates rather remarkably from the 1885 novel, hey! but these things happen. The end result is a classic . . . except for that qualification I placed in my title. Back in the days when this was filmed, killing game wasn't given a second thought. (Lots of people still don't give it a thought!) Hey! An elk! A rabbit! A full-grown mother elephant! What's a few dead animals? The first five or ten minutes of this movie are unwatchable because of the needless death of an elephant that is portrayed big as life on the screen. I have no doubt that the beast was in fact shot dead for the needs of the movie . . . but this was a different era . . . and the rest of the movie is true to all of the poster's blazing claims.
  
  
• My all-time favorite movie - but it's evidently been edited
  By A1UISZUXRJYJIY on 2003-07-10
  I first saw this movie as a little girl and watched it on TV a couple more times over the years. It's absolutely the most thrilling, wonderful movie ever made. But WHAT HAPPENED??? There is at least one tribal dance that has just disappeared -- nowhere to be found in this video. There is one dance still left in the movie, near the end, that is also exciting, but the one I remember the most is where the natives do these incredible jumps and the most wonderful, amazing movements that were all synchronized and fascinating to watch. You could tell they were working themselves into a frenzy to attack the whites, and they were very hostile and truly frightening, so maybe that's not acceptable by today's standards. Did the PC police get to this tape? The VHS running time is 103 minutes. I wonder what the running time of the original film was. I would have given this 5 stars except for my awful disappointment about the omitting of the dancing. Does anyone know where I can get an uncut version? Also, why isn't there a DVD? Maybe there would be an explanation or even out-takes of the dancing.
  
  
• A stunning adventure movie.
  By ARODYCYK4GZKI on 2000-05-15
  Even fifty years after its original release, King Solomon's Mines is still one of the best adventure movies ever. Featuring a talented cast and beautiful outdoor camerawork this movie is an often copied, but never surpassed forerunner of the Indiana Jones' style stories. Granger and Kerr make the most of their respective roles creating real live human beings instead of the usual cardboard action figures that the audience has come to expect in this sort of movie and the animal stampede scene, often replayed in later movies' makes for one of the greatest motionpicture events ever.
  
  
• Scenic and Stirring Adventure
  By A26JGAM6GZMM4V on 2004-07-25
  This is the second of three film adaptations of H. Rider Haggard's novel (1885) of the same name and, in my opinion, the best of them. Curiously, the other two are available in both VHS and DVD formats whereas the VHS of this film is currently out-of-print and it is not yet available as a DVD. With all due respect to the excellent first version (1937), such neglect is unconscionable. Thanks to Amazon, a few used VHS copies can be purchased; also, the film continues to be shown on cable television.
  
  Co-directed by Compton Bennett and Andrew Marton who worked with a screenplay written by Helen Deutsch, this film offers solid acting as well as stunning cinematography which earned Robert Surtees an Academy Award. Here's the basic situation: Elizabeth Curtis (Deborah Kerr) hires Allan Quartermain (Stewart Granger) to organize and then lead a search to locate her husband who departed months ago to find the fabled diamond mines in East Africa. They are accompanied by her brother John (Richard Carlson) who is obviously intimidated by his matrician sibling. Although Quartermain is the quintessential "rugged individualist," he receives an offer too good to refuse (i.e. a 5,000 £ fee) and reluctantly agrees. During the course of the narrative which develops, his apprehension is more than justified by the various dangers they encounter but the group presses on. And then....
  
  Seeing it recently, I again found it to be visually spectacular, certainly comparable with later films such as Out of Africa. However, this time around I was especially aware of the absence of chemistry between Granger and Kerr. This is significant because the primary focus is on their relationship and the promise of eventual (inevitable?) romance whereas in the previous film version, the primary focus is on a native bearer, Umbota (brilliantly portrayed by Paul Robeson), who struggles to reclaim his tribal throne. That said, the film has lost none of its impact as an adventure tale well-told and, as indicated, the exteriors shot on location in Africa are (again) spectacular. That is why this film must have had a major influence on the development of others, notably the Indiana Jones trilogy. I also suspect that Haggard's novel was among the major influences on later literary works such as Hemingway's novella The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber.
  
  Let's all hope that it will soon be available in a DVD format.
  
  
  
• Cinema for a Hot Summer Night!
  By A2BDZAU0Y4J6NB on 2007-07-04
  Despite the perfectly silly, not to mention offensive, trailer (which certainly would not fly today), "King Solomon's Mines" remains an excellent adventure film that ought to be digitally remastered (with original scenes restored), so we could see the splendid tribal dances and the magnificent footage of animals in the wild in the film's pristine color. I first saw this film on the big screen as a kid, and it spurred me on to read all the Allan Quatermaine adventure novels. The movie, which necessarily omits various characters and episodes, did not spoil my reading experience one whit. In fact, it allowed me to picture those incredibly beautiful landscapes of Kenya, Tanganyika (as it was then called), and the Congo as I read on to the end.
  
  That said, I must now comment on some flaws. One can be attributed, perhaps, to loss of some of the footage: The Watusi dance was not only twice as long, but it was also the high point of the film. The lack of the original dance footage makes the ending seem abrupt. The other, in hindsight, can certainly be attributed to lack of judgment on the part of the Big Studio Moguls, for whom Big Names as well as Bucks meant more than continuity in casting and production values. These imperfections bothered me then, and they bother me now. The first point is a minor but nevertheless evident one: Richard Carlson's American accent. It is hard to believe that he is the brother of Deborah Kerr, whose English diction is so pure. Furthermore, Stewart Grainger's genuine English does not help make Carlson's character any more believable. The next point probably bothers no one but a persnickety purist such as myself, but when Deborah Kerr finally shears off her long Victorian locks, they are transformed into an elegant 1950s Audrey Hepburn-Roman-Holiday-like perm that remains bouncy no matter how humid the jungle, how dry the desert! Even though the directors do give verisimilitude a nod when she gets dunked into the underground stream, the "girl with the fire hair," as the film-trailer blared, emerges with every red-gold ringlet in tact (I wish I knew her secret----or her hairdresser!).
  
  This film, which is recommended for the entire family, deserves to be re-issued in a remastered version. The movie contains none of the inappropriate nonsense of the trailer. In the meantime, following Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr----okay, even Richard Carlson!---vicariously on an 1897 Safari through the lush rainforests, the golden savannahs, the silver deserts and green hills of a good portion of Africa is an excellent way to spend a summer evening.
  
  
• This movie shows authentic African tribal customs.
  By A2Z5U8LW4U0M9F on 1998-12-13
  I really enjoyed this movie. It was educational as well as entertaining. When they showed it on TV, the host told of the experiences of the crew and cast while they were filming this. At the end is a scene of a tribal dance and during the filming, the natives became too involved and began throwing spears and being out of control. Deborah Kerr had to climb a tree to escape danger and the crew had to pull seven spears out of the camera's case.
  
  
• The Most Intelligent "Africa" Movie ever made
  By AP28EU980272X on 2002-03-06
  Allan Quatermain is well dressed, is polite, is not at all violent nor a murderer of 'innocent animals', respects the game he hunts, takes no unnecessary risks, protects his clients above all. When was the last time you saw in a movie what a white hunter really was and still is? Contrast this with Michael Douglas' outrageous character in "The Ghost and the Darkness."

  Learn more about animals, beyond what you heard in fables or in nature channels. Allan Quatermain explains to his clients why the lion is NOT the king of the jungle. Why elephants should be treated with respect and given wide berth. This movie is a must-watch especially for kids raised in Disney cartoons and for Walt Disney executives, filmmakers and storytellers who continue to view and portray wild animals through the my-world-is-perfect, animals-are-warm-and-fuzzy eyes of their late founder.

  Forget Out of Africa, forget Lion King. Forget any images of the white hunter you have in your memory as a result of watching Michael Douglas in "The Ghost and the Darkness." This is the real deal.
  
  

• One of the greatest adventure movies ever filmed!
  By A9OFGP6HE500 on 2003-01-05
  The combination of authentic locales, stalwart heroes, beautiful heroine, and a search for a mythical treasure yield adventure in every sense of the word. You would follow Granger's Allan Quartermain anywhere! The locations are beautiful and treated with respect. Although the plot departs greatly from Haggard's original story, the spirit of adventure and self-sacrifice remain. This film is what going to the movies use to be all about. I'd love to see this in a theatre again! Its incredible that the earlier version of the film was given the DVD treatment and not this one. I'm not sure how many of the principals involved in the making of this film are still alive, but the potential production notes and "making of" trivia would be fascinating. If you like adventure and old-fashioned entertainment, this is your movie.
  
  
• One of the best of the jungle epics
  By A5LJR6VZQS9SV on 2004-03-24
  This should be on every true film lovers top 10 adventure list What
  is sad is that this is the only version still not avalible on disc.
  
  The story is that of legendary hunter Allen Quatermain and his trip
  into the deep, heart of Africa where he himself has never even been
  Along with him are sister/brother Deborah Kerr & Richard Carlson
  who hire him to find not only her lost husband and fabled treasure
  of the title but perhaps Quatermain's lost soul as well.

  Filmed on location this '50's jungle adventure is nothing less than
  magnificent in it's techincolor glory and should have been one of
  the first films to be released on dvd. I wish mgm would get their
  pace together and release this gem. The vhs tape in the meantime
  tries it's best to capture all the films splendor such as jungle
  stampede by over 1000 animals and the native tribe ritual dances
  to name a few. Come on mgm get the lead out!
  
  

• SEVERAL SCENES ARE TRULY AMAZING
  By A1C80B497LCYKA on 2006-11-19
  This film is not to be confused with others by the same title. This is the only KING SOLOMON'S MINES that is worth watching, and it is amazing. It is Stewart Granger's first American film. Warner Bros. was looking for an English actor to replace Errol Flynn as their swashbuckling hero, and man did they hit pay dirt. Between this film and SCARAMOUCHE, Granger established himself as just that: lady's man, man's man, action hero par excellence in both contemporary and costume roles. My only complaint is the gray above his temples, which was added by the make-up and hair department. I never did like that feature because I thought it made him look too old - but he certainly doesn't act that way.
  
  Deborah Kerr is also excellent as the woman-out-of-her-element. She provides the over-reactions to everything from giant centipedes to natives spearing each other. She and Granger start out at odds with one another, as he leads her into the jungle to look for her father, who went in search of the famed King Solomon's Mines. But they end up in each other's arms - big surprise. But the journey along the way is more than entertaining, with several scenes that are downright amazing.
  
  First of all, there is a native village like nothing ever seen before, and authentic in every detail. The "architecture" is like something out of a designer's dream, as are the costumes and hairdos. No costume or hair designer could have come up with anything this exquisite. Since most of the film was shot on location in Africa, I believe the village and natives were real. Nevertheless, they're unbelievably wonderful, and show the people as anything but primitive, unless it's Primitive Modern.
  
  Second, there is a stampeding scene that, even though I've seen it, I still can't believe. Not only are there tens of thousands of animals participating in a real stampede (wonder what their union rates were); there are also quite a few shots of the animals leaping over Granger and party, who are hunkered down behind some low-lying rocks. I cannot for the life of me figure out how they filmed this, because these are real African animals and they are really leaping over Granger and his party. Because of the primitive nature of many of the special effects from this period, you can usually tell when something is being faked. But not this: these animals really are leaping in front of and over the party - or it sure seems that way. At any rate, it's impressive, as is most of the film.
  
  They don't make movies like this anymore, and you're not going to see this kind of African footage in any other film past, present or future. So enjoy this well-made classic.
  
  Waitsel Smith
  
  
• PROTOTYPE FOR INDIANA JONES?
  By A3H9JSM1SUTE4O on 2005-01-11
  KING SOLOMON'S MINES (1950) not only introduced adventurer Allan Quartermain, but also provided the prototype for Indiana Jones. The screen adaptation of Sir Henry Rider Haggard's famous first novel stars Stewart Granger as Quatermain, the disgruntled British hunter in Africa, persuaded by a whopping cash advance by a British woman (Deborah Kerr) to locate her missing husband.
  
  While searching together in unmapped territory among the wild animals and cannibals, they -- surprise! -- find themselves falling in love.
  
  Richard Carlson plays Kerr's brother who tags along for man hunt and Solomon's fabled diamond mines.
  
  Beautifully filmed on African locations, this somewhat talky, meandering film won an Academy Award® for cinematography. Note: the opening scenes include the cruel slaughter of an elephant.
  
  
  
  
• The Best African Movie to ever come out of Hollywood
  By A23FJSE5AMGISF on 2006-10-19
  Don't let some of the sillier reviews put you off. This is a superb
  movie. I've read the original Haggard novel and this is a real
  improvement. And unlike so many African films, the animal action
  footage matches the rest of the movie perfectly, apparently because
  it was all filmed in Africa and not in some backlot in Hollywood.
  
  Granger is fine as the white hunter, and Kerr and Carlson are
  perfectly cast. Real Africans portray the roles of the natives, and
  several have significant parts. Granger's portrayal of his feelings
  for his loyal native helpers when they are killed is handled
  believably, and unusually for the period.
  
  I found the balance between "trek" scenes and action scenes well
  done, and you really feel that the characters have gone
  somewhere. The strange and beautiful scenes in Watusi-land at the
  climax are striking and memorable, even today.
  
  
• Move Over Indy -- Another Action/Adventure Classic
  By A13H2JJ3GEMJN1 on 2001-03-10
  This was my father's favorite movie, and that's saying a lot because he loved "How The West Was Won". And it was this version that he loved, although other versions have been made over the years. The story is a classic, involving a search through the vast, uncharted interior of Africa for the legendary lost diamond mine. The acting is good, the scenery is wonderful, and the action is intense. Check out the stampede -- one of Hollywood's greatest sequences. As much as I love the Indiana Jones and Star Wars movies, this film is right up there with them. Very highly recommended.
  
  
• Poor Transfer for a Very Dull Excursion
  By A3ET9OE3TQ9OEJ on 2005-03-06
  Can a proper English lass and a reclusive game hunter find true romance amidst the backdrop of exotic Africa? Deborah Kerr and Stewart Granger demonstrate in King Solomon's Mines (1950). Part travelogue, part adventure, part melodrama, this uneven blend, co-directed by Compton Bennett and Andrew Marton, stars Granger as Allan Quartermain. After losing his most trusted guide Khiva (Kimursi) in a needless safari accident, Quartermain resolves to take on no more expeditions. His mind, however, is changed by the staunch determination of Elizabeth Curtis (Kerr). She confronts Allan's inner demons and wins his fleeting respect. Her reward: hiring Allan at a great expense to track down her husband. Seems Mr. Curtis disappeared in the deepest recesses of the dark continent on route to a diamond mine; fortune and glory...same old story! Along the way to discovering the inevitable, the safari party pick up Umbopa (Siriaque), a prince in exile who acts as their guide into the land of the Watusis.

  What is particularly disappointing about "King Solomon's Mines" is its overall predictability. From its faux "Gone With The Wind - ish" main title sequence through its lumbering and uneven pacing, the film is not one cohesive narrative, but four mixed up into behaving as one. Long before we reach the end of this story we've figured out that Elizabeth's husband is quite dead. The romance that develops between Granger and Kerr is stoic and flawed - cropping up from a bitter antagonism and out of blind necessity. Richard Carleson, as Liz's brother, John Goode, is wasted with bits of business that lead us into discovering the real reason why Mr. Curtis would ditch Mrs. Curtis for the wilds and unknown. The final sequence in the film, a laborious dance that belongs in an Arthur Freed musical but ends with a public execution is quite anti-climactic and, well...boring. There's little to no resolution for the main characters and little to suggest that this film could have won such overwhelming votes to be a DVD Decision Winner among other such fine contenders as "The Spirit of St. Louis" or "Bathing Beauty".

  Of course, all of this fluff and nonsense would be slightly forgivable if the print quality of "King Solomon's Mines" was something to cheer about. It is not. The Technicolor negative exhibits an inconsistently rendered image with excessive amounts of age related artifacts throughout. Colors are, on the whole, weak, softly focused and poorly contrasted and balanced. Occasionally we are treated to a stunning sequence of color photography, as with the aformentioned dance of the Watusis, but for the most part we are given a dull palette onto which some color has been smeared. The travelogue footage - obviously shot long before the principle actors had arrived on location - is grossly out of focus and quite faded. There are nicks, chips and tears in the negative, making the footage appear much older than the rest of the film stock. The audio is mono but nicely balanced with limited spread but optimal audibility. A theatrical trailer is the only extra included.

  Bottom line: "King Solomon's Mines" is not vintage MGM in the way that the studio's earlier African adventures like "Trader Horn" or "Mocambo" are. Instead it's a clap trap of events buttressed by a feeble tale of self discovery that strangely is never fully realized.
  
  

• MIDDLE OF THE ROAD TRANSFER OF AN ADVENTURE YAWN
  By A1M9DQDGE07Q0U on 2005-01-22
  Can a proper English lass and a reclusive game hunter find true romance amidst the backdrop of exotic Africa? Deborah Kerr and Stewart Granger demonstrate in King Solomon's Mines (1950). Part travelogue, part adventure, part melodrama, this uneven blend, co-directed by Compton Bennett and Andrew Marton, stars Granger as Allan Quartermain. After losing his most trusted guide Khiva (Kimursi) in a needless safari accident, Quartermain resolves to take on no more expeditions. His mind, however, is changed by the staunch determination of Elizabeth Curtis (Kerr). She confronts Allan's inner demons and wins his fleeting respect. Her reward: hiring Allan at a great expense to track down her husband. Seems Mr. Curtis disappeared in the deepest recesses of the dark continent on route to a diamond mine; fortune and glory...same old story! Along the way to discovering the inevitable, the safari party pick up Umbopa (Siriaque), a prince in exile who acts as their guide into the land of the Watusis.
  
  What is particularly disappointing about "King Solomon's Mines" is its overall predictability. From its faux "Gone With The Wind - ish" main title sequence through its lumbering and uneven pacing, the film is not one cohesive narrative, but four mixed up into behaving as one. Long before we reach the end of this story we've figured out that Elizabeth's husband is quite dead. The romance that develops between Granger and Kerr is stoic and flawed - cropping up from a bitter antagonism and out of blind necessity. Richard Carleson, as Liz's brother, John Goode, is wasted with bits of business that lead us into discovering the real reason why Mr. Curtis would ditch Mrs. Curtis for the wilds and unknown. The final sequence in the film, a laborious dance that belongs in an Arthur Freed musical but ends with a public execution is quite anti-climactic and, well...boring. There's little to no resolution for the main characters and little to suggest that this film could have won such overwhelming votes to be a DVD Decision Winner among other such fine contenders as "The Spirit of St. Louis" or "Bathing Beauty".
  
  Of course, all of this fluff and nonsense would be slightly forgivable if the print quality of "King Solomon's Mines" was something to cheer about. It is not. The Technicolor negative exhibits an inconsistently rendered image with excessive amounts of age related artifacts throughout. Colors are, on the whole, weak, softly focused and poorly contrasted and balanced. Occasionally we are treated to a stunning sequence of color photography, as with the aformentioned dance of the Watusis, but for the most part we are given a dull palette onto which some color has been smeared. The travelogue footage - obviously shot long before the principle actors had arrived on location - is grossly out of focus and quite faded. There are nicks, chips and tears in the negative, making the footage appear much older than the rest of the film stock. The audio is mono but nicely balanced with limited spread but optimal audibility. A theatrical trailer is the only extra included.
  
  Bottom line: "King Solomon's Mines" is not vintage MGM in the way that the studio's earlier African adventures like "Trader Horn" or "Mocambo" are. Instead it's a clap trap of events buttressed by a feeble tale of self discovery that strangely is never fully realized.
  
  
• A classic with a great cast
  By A3TPKS9B68UCWX on 2005-07-28
  I was always a big fan of Stewart Granger and Deborah Kerr. The African scenery combined with a classic tale. You don't fall asleep on this flick.
  
  
• Great but incomplete
  By A2U9X230VFNAA6 on 2005-11-15
  Authentic scenery, tribal dance, and so on, and the best version of the great story I have personally seen. However, the omission of Gagool, the evil witchy 'witch finder'was a huge disappoinment.
  
  
• Exploration of remote Africa
  By A39AWL2FKWDFK6 on 2005-12-14
  Stewart Granger plays celebrated white hunter and guide Allen Quatermain in the turn of the century African adventure yarn "King Solomon's Mines". The technicolor film is highlighted by the outstanding cinematography of Oscar winner Robert Surtees featuring a wide array of animals in their native habitat.
  
  Granger is reluctantly hired by proper Englishwoman Elizabeth Curtis played by Deborah Kerr to locate her husband who disappeared in the unexplored African interior while attempting to find the legendary diamond mines. An exorbitant sum of money finally convinces Granger to embark on this dangerous trek. Accompanied by Kerr's brother in law John Goode played by Richard Carlson, the trio along with a group of native bearers make their way inland using an antiquated map. Overcoming many hardships and encountering many groups of both friendly and unfriendly natives they inexorably make their way towards their destination. As expected, sexual tension between Granger and Kerr provide for some amusing dialogue and interplay.
  
  Without Surtees excellent work the plot, standing on it's own would be rather mediocre. The ending of the movie was sudden and anti climatic, depressing the overall quality of the film.
  
  
• Exploration and Romance in turn-of-the-century Africa
  By A3AW8XP45YVIIZ on 2006-09-28
  This is the tale of a safari through unexplored Africa around the turn (19th->20th) of the century. The quarry though is not big game, but a man. Mrs. Elizabeth Curtis (played by the beautiful Deborah Kerr) and her brother have arrived in Africa in search of her husband who disappeared there several years. He was searching for the legendary King Solomon's Mines and vanished after sending a cryptic letter to his wife back in England. Stewart Granger plays the role of the hunter and guide Allan Quatermain. He agrees to take the pair into unexplored Africa on safari to help track down her husband. Along the way they encounter danger from natives, hostile hunters, animals, and the elements. It is also a tale of romance. This film is by far the best of several adaptations of H. Rider Haggard's novel (which I highly recommend as well if you like adventure novels) of the same name. The role of Allan Quatermain has been played by many other actors, including Patrick Swayze and Richard Chamberlain, none of whom can hold a candle to Stewart Granger's performance (probably the best of his career) in this film. There are some significant differences between the film and the novel, particularly the addition of the love interest (Deborah Kerr) in the film. The cinematography of this film is wonderful, in many ways this film is simply a vehicle to show video of the flora, fauna, and natives of Africa. It probably does not merit a 5-star rating, but I gave it one anyhow simply because I love it and can watch it over and over. The acting is a bit stiff in places, and the story drags in certain places but then (too) suddenly wraps up neatly in the end (the screenplay could probably have used one more round of editing), but these are minor quibbles. If you are looking for a classic and timeless adventure/romance tale before Hollywood became too PC, I would highly recommend this film to you.
  
  
• Terrific adventure film done right
  By A1JWSDDIH5Z7DV on 2006-11-29
  Normally I'm not fond of adventure films, especially modern one's which seem to depend more on gratuitous blood and violence than on plot and acting. But this classic version of King Solomon's Mines from the Golden Age of Hollywood is a true classic. Yes there's violence -- consistent with the harsh conditions of the unexplored portions of 19th century Africa -- but there's also splendid writing, plot, and acting. If you want to see how good an adventure movie can be when it's done right, get this DVD of the classic version of King Solomon's Mines. By the way, Stewart Grainger is outstanding as the virile but somewhat world weary safari guide and Deborah Kerr is both convincing and especially beautiful as the stalwart heroine.
  
  
• king solomons mines
  By A1U1EPGMXG2SDW on 2004-10-25
  one of the great adventure movies- coming to disc with xtras next year- superb scenery and one of stewart grangers best roles next to moonfleet
  
  
• This lost-civilization adventure continues to be a favorite among those who love a thrilling tale...,
  By AGZVS6M8XJGN6 on 2007-01-03
  There are many reasons why people like classic movies, but often those reasons are quite sentimental in their nature... Perhaps the reason for its enduring appeal is that it intends nostalgic trip to the past, where such films spawned juvenile imagination with breathtaking locations, exotic hidden societies, and characters with strange powers...
  
  Like all trips into the African wild, "King Solomon's Mines" proceeds through all kinds of land-forests, swamps, desert sands, lush meadows and rugged mountains... The film is filled with exciting scenes, and some rather effective looks at human motivations in the face of impossible odds...
  
  The color photography of Robert Surtees, greatly increases the visual impact of the outdoor scenes and almost overpowers the plot drama at times... Surtees' landscapes are gorgeous--vista after vista of jungles, dunes, high peaks, river rapids and waterfalls...
  
  Stewart Granger was talented enough in playing the dashing romantic leading man... He created a human hero who is the ideal concept of the white hunter--suave, tough, courageous, and strongly British...
  
  Deborah Kerr, the 'lady with the flaming hair,' had a charming weakness that was strong and feminine at the same time...
  
  This lost-civilization adventure continues to be a favorite among those who love a thrilling tale... "King Solomon's Mines" is a well-cast version filled with qualities close to the human heart: thrilling, adventurous, and amusing...
  
  
  
  
• The Real Deal
  By AV9VF19CE1H1R on 2000-12-07
  Fine performances from an excellent cast, an interesting story, and beautiful location filming result in a colorful and rousing adventure tale which has stood the test of time. Highly recommended.
  
  
• Classic Hollywood Blockbuster
  By A3ICU13O093OJY on 2001-01-09
  I was about 9-years old when this was released. Double-pagefull-color ads in the major news-feature magazines and billboardseverywhere.Everyone--but everyone--saw it. And I fell in love withit. I have rented it several times on video and it is always asentertaining as can be. This was, indeed, the "Raiders of theLost Ark," of its day. The first time I saw a poster for"Raiders," I practically whopped out-loud. I knew it wouldbe another "King Solomon's Mines," and it was. The Africanlocation color photgraphy is magnificent, the story wonderful fantasyand Kerr never looked more gorgeous. Note, that there is no studiomusic score, but only the music recorded in Africa. And it createsjust the right mood. If you like real adventure, with the best kindof M-G-M craftsmanship, to spare, this is for you. Get comfy andenjoy what an adventure film can be. A Saturday matinee film that mostadults love. The sexual inuendo is fun and innocent.
  
  
• Still the benchmark for all future African adventure films
  By AENS9FSETP6IY on 2004-01-03
  I first saw this classic as a young boy, and it is still as fresh today. I can't believe that it isn't on DVD!!! The earlier version doesn't hold a candle to this one, and the Richard Chamberlain version shouldn't have even been made. I would love to see this digitally remastered and UNEDITED on DVD!!
  
  
• DVD King Solomon's Mines
  By A3GA5JJZBZMNG3 on 2005-08-30
  Excellent quality. Enjoyed this oldie very much. Prompt delivery. No problems what so ever.
  
  

• Mogambo
• Scaramouche
• The Naked Jungle
• The Prisoner of Zenda (1937 and 1952 Versions)
• Ivanhoe