KING SOLOMON'S MINES.
US, 1950, 103 minutes, Colour.
Deborah Kerr, Stewart Granger, Richard Carlson, Hugo Haas, Lowell Gilmore.
Directed by Compton Bennett and Andrew Marton.
King Solomon’s Mines was written by H. Rider Haggard, author of the novel She which was filmed many times, even during Haggard’s lifetime (he died in 1925).
This story of adventurers in Africa seeking the legendary mines of King Solomon, was first filmed in 1937 with Cedric Hardwicke as Alan Quartermain and also starring singer Paul Robeson. Thirteen years later this colourful version was made with the post-World War Two values of MGM Studios with newly arrived from England stars Deborah Kerr and Stewart Granger (who were also to appear together in The Prisoner of Zenda and Young Bess).
The film was made on location, boasts beautiful African scenery and creates an atmosphere of adventure and tension. Later versions include an animated Australian version from 1985, a television movie with Patrick Swayze as Alan Quartermain and several films with Richard Chamberlain as Alan Quartermain (and starring Sharon Stone).
The film was directed by British Compton Bennett who had made an impact with the classic The Seventh Veil. In Hollywood he made That Forsyte Woman based on John Goldsworthy’s novels with Greer Garson and Errol Flynn. He had a short but not particularly distinguished career. Action sequences were directed by Andrew Marton.
1. The film’s reputation as the classic jungle film? How deserved? The appeal of an African adventure?
2. The mines as a symbol for quest and goals, wealth and dreams? How were the mines used as a symbol in this film?
3. The portrayal of Africa in its beauty, terror, harshness? As a place for survival? The vivid coloured portrayal of the animals especially in the stampede? And native peoples of Africa? how did this retain audience interest?
4. Allan Quartermain as hero? His role in Africa, the initial safari and his leadership, the deaths, the attitudes of the white men, the Africans? His desire to retire and return to England? His attitude towards his son?
5. His encounter with Elizabeth and her request? His refusing to go, the motivation of money? The truth game between the two of them and their revelation of their real motives?
6. The importance of motivation on this journey, quest? Elizabeth as hard and not realising the truth of her lack of love and repentance? How did the motivation change from hardness into love? Fear and its influence? The truth and the encounter between them?
7. How important were the details of the adventures and their impact? the animals?
8. The crisis, especially with the hostile white man and his trying to kill them? Quartermain's heroism?
9. The importance of the help from the tall native? His turning out to be a prince?
10. The fascination of the map, the quest for the mines, the fulfilment of the arrival and the discovery of the truth?
11. The suspense, in the climax when they are trapped in the mine? Their escape?
12. What did they achieve? The happy ending? How does this kind of adventure film show traditional values about heroism, courage and endurance, human relationships?
