Island at the Top of the World
Encyclopedia
The Island at the Top of the World is a 1974
Disney
film starring Donald Sinden
and David Hartman
.
in the year 1907, a British
aristocrat named Sir
Anthony Ross (Donald Sinden
) hastily arranges an expedition to the Arctic
to search for his lost son Donald. Donald had become lost on a whaling expedition to find the fabled island where whales go to die.
Sir Anthony employs the talents of a Scandinavian-American archaeologist Professor Ivarsson (David Hartman
) and Captain Brieux (Jacques Marin
), a French inventor/aeronaut who pilots the expedition in a French dirigible named the Hyperion
, (which, naturally, Captain Brieux invented). Upon reaching the Arctic, they meet Oomiak, a comically cowardly/brave Eskimo
friend of Donald's, and trick him into helping them join in the search.
Ultimately, the expedition becomes (temporarily) separated from Captain Brieux, and discovers an uncharted island named Astragard, occupied by a lost civilization of Vikings, cut off from the rest of the world for centuries. The Vikings capture Sir Anthony and Ivarsson, but Oomiak escapes. Shortly thereafter they find Donald, but are nearly put to death by the fanatic Godi , a sort-of Lawspeaker/Soothsayer authority figure. The three men (Sir Anthony, Ivarsson and Donald) are saved from being burned alive by a brave and beautiful Viking girl named Freya, with whom Donald is deeply and mutually in love. They escape, and are rejoined by Oomiak and eventually find the Whales Graveyard, but are attacked by Killer Whales. Here they are saved by the sudden reappearance of Captain Brieux, but they are still being pursued by the angry Godi and his rather unwilling warriors. Finally, the Godi is killed by the explosion when he shoots a fiery arrow at the Hyperion, but the Vikings will not let the expedition return to their world unless one of them remains behind as a hostage. Ivarsson however, willingly volunteers to stay, because this is a chance to live history. Ivarsson also points out that if someday Mankind is ever foolish enough to destroy itself, places like Astragard may become humanity's final refuge. And so, Sir Anthony, Donald, Freya, Captain Brieux and Oomiak, are allowed to depart in peace, promising not to tell the Outside World about Astragard.
, set in the location of Prince Patrick Island
. To tie-in with the film, the novel was reissued with the movie's title. There were several changes from the book to the film. The novel is set in 1960, but the film is set in 1907. Instead of Prince Patrick Island, the island in the film is located due north of Ellesmere Island
(cf. Crocker Land
). Several extra characters and the airship Hyperion appear in the film, but not in the novel. Also, the greatest departure in the film is Freya survives to (presumably) live happily ever after with Donald, whereas in the book she tragically dies, sacrificing herself to save Donald and Sir Anthony.
The film was produced by Walt Disney Pictures
, and in a family-based package was accompanied by Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too!
The film received an Academy Award nomination for its Art direction
/set decoration
(Peter Ellenshaw
, John B. Mansbridge
, Walter H. Tyler
, Al Roelofs
, Hal Gausman
).
The film's score was created by film composer Maurice Jarre
.
To accompany the film release, Disney released a story record album containing audio clips from the film, an eleven page illustrated booklet, and narration by Thurl Ravenscroft
. The album contains the theme from the Jarre score arranged for solo organ, in place of the film's full orchestration.
A sequel was planned, entitled The Lost Ones, based more closely on the original novel, but was abandoned when it became apparent that Island at the Top of the World would not be a box office success.
protruding from a recreation of Captain Brieux's hangar. Sections of the design for this land was used in Disneyland Resort Paris
' Discoveryland area.
was recreated at Disneyland Resort Paris
in the Discoveryland area of the park, and was at its time in 1992 considered as the largest prop ever at any Disney theme park.
1974 in film
The year 1974 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*February 7 - Blazing Saddles is released in the USA.*August 7 - Peter Wolf, lead singer of The J...
Disney
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
film starring Donald Sinden
Donald Sinden
Sir Donald Alfred Sinden CBE is an English actor of theatre, film and television.-Personal life:Sinden was born in Plymouth, Devon, England, on 9 October 1923. The son of Alfred Edward Sinden and his wife Mabel Agnes , he grew up in the Sussex village of Ditchling, where their home doubled as the...
and David Hartman
David Hartman (TV personality)
David Downs Hartman is an American journalist and media host who began his media career as an actor. He currently anchors and hosts documentary programs on cable TV's History and on PBS. Hartman is best known as the first host of ABC's Good Morning America, from 1975 to 1987. As an actor, he...
.
Synopsis
In LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in the year 1907, a British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
aristocrat named Sir
Sir
Sir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Anthony Ross (Donald Sinden
Donald Sinden
Sir Donald Alfred Sinden CBE is an English actor of theatre, film and television.-Personal life:Sinden was born in Plymouth, Devon, England, on 9 October 1923. The son of Alfred Edward Sinden and his wife Mabel Agnes , he grew up in the Sussex village of Ditchling, where their home doubled as the...
) hastily arranges an expedition to the Arctic
Arctic
The Arctic is a region located at the northern-most part of the Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The Arctic region consists of a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by treeless permafrost...
to search for his lost son Donald. Donald had become lost on a whaling expedition to find the fabled island where whales go to die.
Sir Anthony employs the talents of a Scandinavian-American archaeologist Professor Ivarsson (David Hartman
David Hartman (TV personality)
David Downs Hartman is an American journalist and media host who began his media career as an actor. He currently anchors and hosts documentary programs on cable TV's History and on PBS. Hartman is best known as the first host of ABC's Good Morning America, from 1975 to 1987. As an actor, he...
) and Captain Brieux (Jacques Marin
Jacques Marin
Jacques Marin was a French actor on film and TV. Marin's good command of the English language and his resemblance to the stereotypical Frenchman looks made him a familiar face in some major American and British productions and Disney movies Jacques Marin (September 9, 1919, Paris – January...
), a French inventor/aeronaut who pilots the expedition in a French dirigible named the Hyperion
Hyperion airship
The Hyperion is a fictional 1907 French airship, featured in the 1974 Walt Disney film “The Island at the Top of the World.” Although the airship appears for only a relatively small portion of the overall length of the film, it plays a prominent role, both as a memorable set piece and in the...
, (which, naturally, Captain Brieux invented). Upon reaching the Arctic, they meet Oomiak, a comically cowardly/brave Eskimo
Eskimo
Eskimos or Inuit–Yupik peoples are indigenous peoples who have traditionally inhabited the circumpolar region from eastern Siberia , across Alaska , Canada, and Greenland....
friend of Donald's, and trick him into helping them join in the search.
Ultimately, the expedition becomes (temporarily) separated from Captain Brieux, and discovers an uncharted island named Astragard, occupied by a lost civilization of Vikings, cut off from the rest of the world for centuries. The Vikings capture Sir Anthony and Ivarsson, but Oomiak escapes. Shortly thereafter they find Donald, but are nearly put to death by the fanatic Godi , a sort-of Lawspeaker/Soothsayer authority figure. The three men (Sir Anthony, Ivarsson and Donald) are saved from being burned alive by a brave and beautiful Viking girl named Freya, with whom Donald is deeply and mutually in love. They escape, and are rejoined by Oomiak and eventually find the Whales Graveyard, but are attacked by Killer Whales. Here they are saved by the sudden reappearance of Captain Brieux, but they are still being pursued by the angry Godi and his rather unwilling warriors. Finally, the Godi is killed by the explosion when he shoots a fiery arrow at the Hyperion, but the Vikings will not let the expedition return to their world unless one of them remains behind as a hostage. Ivarsson however, willingly volunteers to stay, because this is a chance to live history. Ivarsson also points out that if someday Mankind is ever foolish enough to destroy itself, places like Astragard may become humanity's final refuge. And so, Sir Anthony, Donald, Freya, Captain Brieux and Oomiak, are allowed to depart in peace, promising not to tell the Outside World about Astragard.
Background
The film was based on the novel The Lost Ones, written by Ian CameronDonald G. Payne
-Biography:Using James Vance Marshall as a pseudonym, Payne has written such books as A River Ran Out of Eden and White-Out . His most famous book is probably Walkabout , first published as The Children and later made into a movie starring Jenny Agutter.Payne has also used Ian Cameron and Donald...
, set in the location of Prince Patrick Island
Prince Patrick Island
A member of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Prince Patrick Island is the westernmost of the Queen Elizabeth Islands in the Northwest Territories of Canada. The area of the island is , making it the 55th largest island in the world and Canada's 14th largest island...
. To tie-in with the film, the novel was reissued with the movie's title. There were several changes from the book to the film. The novel is set in 1960, but the film is set in 1907. Instead of Prince Patrick Island, the island in the film is located due north of Ellesmere Island
Ellesmere Island
Ellesmere Island is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. Lying within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, it is considered part of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, with Cape Columbia being the most northerly point of land in Canada...
(cf. Crocker Land
Crocker Land
Crocker Land was the name Robert Peary gave to a mass of land which he believed he saw in the distant northwest from the summit of Cape Thomas Hubbard, during a 1906 expedition. Peary estimated the landmass to be 130 miles away at about 83 degrees N, longitude 100 degrees W...
). Several extra characters and the airship Hyperion appear in the film, but not in the novel. Also, the greatest departure in the film is Freya survives to (presumably) live happily ever after with Donald, whereas in the book she tragically dies, sacrificing herself to save Donald and Sir Anthony.
The film was produced by Walt Disney Pictures
Walt Disney Pictures
Walt Disney Pictures is an American film studio owned by The Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney Pictures and Television, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Studios and the main production company for live-action feature films within the Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group, based at the Walt Disney...
, and in a family-based package was accompanied by Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too!
Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too!
Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too is a 1974 animated feature from Disney released as a double feature with The Island at the Top of the World. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, but lost to Closed Mondays. It was later added as a segment to the 1977 film The Many...
The film received an Academy Award nomination for its Art direction
Art director
The art director is a person who supervise the creative process of a design.The term 'art director' is a blanket title for a variety of similar job functions in advertising, publishing, film and television, the Internet, and video games....
/set decoration
Set decorator
A set decorator is in charge of the set dressing on a film set, which includes the furnishings, wallpaper, lighting fixtures, and many of the other objects that will be seen in the film. Props and set dressing often overlap, but are provided by different departments...
(Peter Ellenshaw
Peter Ellenshaw
William "Peter" Ellenshaw was an Anglo-American matte designer and special effects creator who worked on many Disney features....
, John B. Mansbridge
John B. Mansbridge
John B. Mansbridge was an American art director. He was nominated for two Academy Awards in the category Best Art Direction.-Selected filmography:Mansbridge was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Art Direction:* Bedknobs and Broomsticks...
, Walter H. Tyler
Walter H. Tyler
Walter H. Tyler was an American art director. He won an Academy Award and was nominated for eight more in the category Best Art Direction.He was born in Los Angeles, California and died in Orange County, California...
, Al Roelofs
Al Roelofs
Al Roelofs was an American art director. He was nominated for an Academy Award in the category Best Art Direction for the film The Island at the Top of the World.-External links:...
, Hal Gausman
Hal Gausman
Hal Gausman was an American set decorator. He was nominated for five Academy Awards in the category Best Art Direction.-Selected filmography:Gausman was nominated for five Academy Awards for Best Art Direction:* The Absent-Minded Professor...
).
The film's score was created by film composer Maurice Jarre
Maurice Jarre
Maurice-Alexis Jarre was a French composer and conductor.Although he composed several concert works, he is best known for his film scores, and is particularly known for his collaborations with film director David Lean. Jarre composed the scores to all of Lean's films since Lawrence of Arabia...
.
To accompany the film release, Disney released a story record album containing audio clips from the film, an eleven page illustrated booklet, and narration by Thurl Ravenscroft
Thurl Ravenscroft
Thurl Arthur Ravenscroft was an American voice actor and singer best known as the deep voice behind Tony the Tiger's "They're grrreat!" in Frosted Flakes television commercials for more than five decades. Ravenscroft was also known, however uncredited, as the vocalist for the song "You're a Mean...
. The album contains the theme from the Jarre score arranged for solo organ, in place of the film's full orchestration.
A sequel was planned, entitled The Lost Ones, based more closely on the original novel, but was abandoned when it became apparent that Island at the Top of the World would not be a box office success.
Disneyland (Anaheim, CA)
A new land, Discovery Bay, was planned but never built (in the area now occupied by Big Thunder Ranch), which would have contained a reproduction of the Hyperion airshipHyperion airship
The Hyperion is a fictional 1907 French airship, featured in the 1974 Walt Disney film “The Island at the Top of the World.” Although the airship appears for only a relatively small portion of the overall length of the film, it plays a prominent role, both as a memorable set piece and in the...
protruding from a recreation of Captain Brieux's hangar. Sections of the design for this land was used in Disneyland Resort Paris
Disneyland Resort Paris
Disneyland Paris is a holiday and recreation resort in Marne-la-Vallée, a new town in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. The complex is located from the centre of Paris and lies for the most part within the commune of Chessy, Seine-et-Marne....
' Discoveryland area.
Disneyland Paris
The Hyperion airshipHyperion airship
The Hyperion is a fictional 1907 French airship, featured in the 1974 Walt Disney film “The Island at the Top of the World.” Although the airship appears for only a relatively small portion of the overall length of the film, it plays a prominent role, both as a memorable set piece and in the...
was recreated at Disneyland Resort Paris
Disneyland Resort Paris
Disneyland Paris is a holiday and recreation resort in Marne-la-Vallée, a new town in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. The complex is located from the centre of Paris and lies for the most part within the commune of Chessy, Seine-et-Marne....
in the Discoveryland area of the park, and was at its time in 1992 considered as the largest prop ever at any Disney theme park.
Other
Hyperion is a brand used by Disney for publishing endeavours, from the early 1990s. Disney had a studio on Hyperion Avenue in Los Angeles early in their history.Cast list
- Donald SindenDonald SindenSir Donald Alfred Sinden CBE is an English actor of theatre, film and television.-Personal life:Sinden was born in Plymouth, Devon, England, on 9 October 1923. The son of Alfred Edward Sinden and his wife Mabel Agnes , he grew up in the Sussex village of Ditchling, where their home doubled as the...
- Sir Anthony Ross - David HartmanDavid Hartman (TV personality)David Downs Hartman is an American journalist and media host who began his media career as an actor. He currently anchors and hosts documentary programs on cable TV's History and on PBS. Hartman is best known as the first host of ABC's Good Morning America, from 1975 to 1987. As an actor, he...
- Prof. Ivarsson - Jacques MarinJacques MarinJacques Marin was a French actor on film and TV. Marin's good command of the English language and his resemblance to the stereotypical Frenchman looks made him a familiar face in some major American and British productions and Disney movies Jacques Marin (September 9, 1919, Paris – January...
- Captain Brieux - Mako - Oomiak
- David GwillimDavid GwillimDavid Gwillim is an English actor, best known for playing Prince Hal in the BBC Television Shakespeare Henry IV, Part I and Henry IV, Part II and the title role in Henry V which were broadcast in 1979, and John Bold in The Barchester Chronicles broadcast in 1982.- Biography :Gwillim was born in...
- Donald Ross - Agneta EckemyrAgneta EckemyrAgneta Marie-Anne Eckemyr is a Swedish actress and model turned clothing designer.Initially a model, her looks took her into film and television roles...
- Freyja - Gunnar ÖhlundGunnar ÖhlundGunnar Öhlund is a Swedish orienteering competitor. He is Relay World Champion from 1974, as a member of the Swedish winning team. His brother, Goran Öhlund is a former World Orienteering Champion. His son, Erik Öhlund competed on the 2008 Swedish Orienteering Team. He currently is a farmer in...
- The Godi (as Gunnar Ohlund) - Lasse KolstadLasse KolstadLars "Lasse" Kolstad is a Norwegian actor. Active since the 1940s, he is known from many roles, but primarily as "Tevye" in Fiddler on the Roof. He is the brother of late actor Henki Kolstad....
- Erik - Erik Silju - Torvald
- Rolf SøderRolf SøderRolf Søder was a Norwegian film actor. He appeared in 40 films between 1955 and 1991.-Selected filmography:* Nine Lives * The Chasers * The Passionate Demons...
- The Lawspeaker - Torsten Wahlund - Sven
- Sverre Anker OusdalSverre Anker OusdalSverre Anker Ousdal is a Norwegian actor born in Flekkefjord, Norway.-Biography:Ousdal made his debut in 1965 at Den Nationale Scene in Bergen...
- Gunnar (as Sverre Ousdal) - Niels Hinrichsen - Sigurd
- Denny MillerDenny MillerDenny Scott Miller is an American actor, perhaps best known for his guest-starring roles on Gilligan's Island and as Tarzan in the late 1950s....
- Town Guard - Brendan Dillon - The Factor