KING SOLOMON'S MINES

REVIEWED BY RISSI C.

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Because of: violence and witchcraft

Rated:

One of the best African safari guides there is, Allen Quartermain (Patrick Swayze) knows his work. After many years living in the land, Allen knows when you’ve angered the animals of the wild untamed land of Africa and what they will do to the person who they feel threatened by. His partner NcNabb (Gavin Hood) on the other hand is a little too careless and only thinks of the money they could make. Disagreeing on their most recent employers’ plans, Allen decides to break from his partner and leave for England to be a father to his son. After a tragic accident left Allen a widower, his son has been living with his maternal grandparents. Once in England, Allen is told the boys’ grandparents are now seeking custody and unless he can produce a lot of money, he won’t be able to fight it. 

Elizabeth Maitland (Alison Doody) is a proper English lady whose professor father (John Standing) is doing research on the legend of King Solomon’s Mines in Africa. Receiving word from him saying that he has been kidnapped, he asks Elizabeth to bring the map he sent her to exchange for his freedom... and to seek out Allen Quartermain.  With her father’s life at stake, Elizabeth and her uncle Captain Good (Roy Marsden) find Allen and make him an offer to take them to Africa, saying she will pay him well. Reluctantly, Allen agrees against his better judgment to take a woman to Africa. Elizabeth, Allen, Captain Good and a few of Allen’s must trusted friends set out for Africa to trade the map for Dr. Maitland’s freedom. In Africa, Elizabeth is to meet with a man from the tribe that is holding her father. Arriving at the appointed destination for the exchange, they encounter a group of men who attempt to kill them and get the map. Their quest for freedom and the mystery surrounding them will be their greatest adventure. All the while contending with a journey against time, intolerable weather and mysterious followers that may or may not aid them in their journey to escape the African tribe against them at every turn. 

Every time I went to the video store this was picked up, looked at and then put back on the shelve because of different likes and dislikes of movies in my family. We finally decided to see it and determined it was an intriguing tale with plenty of adventure action that keeps you holding your breath. But there was a disagreement in the casting of Patrick Swayze and how his character was portrayed. For me, he was well cast and while I did see the points that my family made and some of the character flaws, his performance was still highly commendable and enjoyable. For a Hallmark Channel film, everyone was brilliant. Alison Doody was beautiful and believable as a high class English lady. Her one flaw was her accent. I don’t know if she is really English or American, but sometimes her accent was just not quite as good as others. The make-up job on an African character was very well done, as it had to be elaborate. Content consists of violence, some language and African witchcraft. 

The movie opens with a man shooting some elephants. The hunters convene at their camp a man is killed (not shown, just implied). There are two shoot-outs, resulting in deaths and men being wounded. There is also a fight scene in which the combatants use clubs. Spears are used by the natives; twice we see them stabbed into people, along with a fair amount of blood. There is the occasional profanity. The group stops to talk with an African witch doctor, who tells them things that will happen in the future. There is also a witch who is in service to the King of the African tribe and she tortures people with her magic. Sensuality is limited to Elizabeth getting a bruise on her leg after her first day of riding. While she is examining it, Allen tries to look at it. He only wants to put some salve on to make it heal better. The group stops to talk with an African witch doctor, who tells them things that will happen in the future. There is also a witch who is in service to the King of the African tribe and she tortures people with her magic. Sensuality is limited to Elizabeth getting a bruise on her leg after her first day of riding. While she is examining it, Allen tries to look at it. He only wants to put some salve on to make it heal better. 

A great addition to the screenplay albeit small was the character developments, it was fantastic. One of the main reasons that we didn’t see this right away was the fact that we find most desert films dull. I found this one very good, with just enough things going on to keep you guessing and even an occasional comic remark. Based on the classic novel by H. Rider Haggard, I applaud everyone involved in this production, the director, writers and actors.  The scenery was lovely, as was the costumes. Elizabeth’s city clothes were beautiful, from her elegant long sweeping dresses to her stylish hats. While there are a few things that are a bit unrealistic, there is always something in a film that they seem to over exaggerate. Don’t expect all the main characters to come out of this adventure alive. Something that we were sad to see. But if you liked National Treasure, Sahara or The Four Feathers, you will enjoy this three hour adventure flick.