Beautiful adventure, not completely for children, shown in naive way typical for Disney movies. This could be made into much more complex movie and with today's technology it could be top blockbuster. Story, acting and directing are decent, but special effects and editing are pretty bad even for its time. But, this is just a Disney from 70's so we should turn a blind eye a bit. It is entertaining and it has Oscar nomination for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration. It's worth watching.6/10

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

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!

Island At The Top of The World OK I have no nostalgia, memory or knowledge of this mid 70s Disney flick-This is an attempt to make a Jules Verne type adventure film- that fails- the special effects are lacking- most of the scenery in the movie is obviously matte paintings and stock footage- think Land of The Lost effects on a Disney movie-and then add in Good Morning America host David Hartman as an explorer , a crazy French airship captain with a poodle named Josephine( the wacky camera cuts to the dog elicited no laughter here),a shanghaied Eskimo and an eccentric inventor trying to find his lost son.The plot is very typical for an adventure epic-add a predictable plot with a subpar cast and lame effects and you have a pretty disappointing use of time.