Friday, February 24, 2017

King Solomon's Mines (1937)

King Solomon's Mines is a 1937 adaptation of the H. Rider Haggard book. This is a lost world story, with adventure and elements of the supernatural. The book can be read online. The film begins with the writing of these words in our hero's journal:
Every word of this story is true, stamped on my memory for ever.

I see once more every detail of our terrible journey through the land of the Kukuanas. And -that you may better believe me, here is the chart- made by a hand long dead -
The prologue continues as voice-over.

via Youtube:


The New York Times concludes, "...the credit for the good things—and there are many of them—in this film should go to the cameramen, the beaters, and countless unnamed African natives and animals." Weird Wild Realm says, "Good special effects for the day & pleasing black & white cinematography, this was the first truly significant filming of any work of Haggard's classic". Wikipedia notes, "... this film offering is considered to be the most faithful to the book".

Rotten Tomatoes has a critics rating of 100%.
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4 comments:

  1. Let's Art Journal2:22 PM

    Thanks for sharing this movie and the book is a true classic. Happy Friday and have a lovely weekend! J :-)

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    Replies
    1. Divers and Sundry7:11 AM

      Glad you liked it :) I love the old adventure stories and always appreciate when they are respectfully adapted :)

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  2. My name is Erika.3:43 PM

    I think there was a movie in the 1980's based on this story but not called King Solomon's mines. It might have starred Michael Douglas. Does that ring a bell to you? Not exactly sure though, but I bet this might be a fun old movie to watch. Hugs-Erika

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    Replies
    1. Divers and Sundry8:00 AM

      Michael Douglas was in Romancing the Stone in 1984. It's an adventure story but not directly based on the book. Maybe that's the one?

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