SnoReptilePlenty
Memorable, crazy movie
Comwayon
A Disappointing Continuation
Merolliv
I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.
JohnHowardReid
A Walt Disney Production, released by Buena Vista in the USA: November 1959. New York opening at the Normandie: 11 November 1959. U.K. release through Walt Disney: November 1959. Australian release through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer: 17 March 1960. 105 minutes. U.S. TV title: Banner in the Sky.SYNOPSIS: A juvenile re-make of "The White Tower" which was based on a 1945 novel of the same name by — guess who? — James Ramsey Ullman. The bitterness and astringency of the 1945 novel has been considerably toned down here. The engagingly hard, lead characters, played in the 1950 film by Glenn Ford and Alida Valli, have been translated into porous teenagers, whilst the embittered philosopher (originally enacted by Claude Rains) has been transformed into a slightly physically handicapped but overall unconvincingly comic figure (Laurence Naismith). The less said about the rest of Ullman's self-bowdlerizations, the more you will enjoy "Third Man on the Mountain".NOTES: Location scenes filmed in Zermatt, Switzerland. Although the story is fictitious, the events closely parallel the first ascent of the Matterhorn by Edward Whymper, an Englishman, in 1865. Four members of the expedition were killed after reaching the summit. But the remaining three — including Whymper and a Swiss youth — returned safely. (Available on an excellent Walt Disney DVD).COMMENT: Despite all the compliments handed out to "Third Man on the Mountain" by contemporary critics, it is possible to justify a few negative comments: Though set in 1865, disappointingly little use is made of the period background; James Macarthur and Janet Munro are hardly convincing as Swiss peasants; but then neither are James Donald or Laurence Naismith; and my final gripe is that the story is both derivative and ridiculously clichéd, whilst the dialogue is often embarrassingly, amateurishly theatrical.Fortunately, none of these quibbles really matter. All told, they do little to undermine the breathtaking suspense of the mountaineering sequences and the stark beauty of the alpine scenery.OTHER VIEWS: Comes near being a primer for incipient climbers, and it stays exciting to the end...Like so many Walt Disney productions in this genre, it maintains a 'boy's book' tone... The suspense, which is high, springs from the very authoritativeness of setting and incident. — Paul V. Beckley in The N.Y. Herald Tribune.
Rulzul Bulzul
I watch any Mt climbing movie I can get my hands on. Since I have never seen one about the Matterhorn, I am watching this one. No one called Matt, has ever died on it tho. First ascent was on July 14, 1865 by Edward Whymper, Charles Hudson, Lord Francis Douglas, Douglas Robert Hadow, guide Michel Croz, and the father and son guides Peter and Peter Taugwalder via the Hörnli Ridge, the most common route of ascent today. Just below the summit on the descent, Hadow slipped, knocking Croz off. The rope came tight and pulled Hudson and Douglas and the four climbers fell down the north face. The elder Taugwalder was belaying with the rope over a rock spike, but the impact broke the rope thereby saving the Taugwalders and Whymper from certain death. I would think Disney could have got this historic fact correct. Great movie tho! If you want historic accuracy, watch Into Thin Air. Or, the North Face.
jpm4444
I am in my 30's and I never heard of this film but after a night out I came home and watched it on television. How lucky I was. What a great cast. James MacArthur is as solid as it gets in the history of Disney films. He plays Rudy Matt, the son of the famous mountain climber Joseph Matt who tragically lost his life while climbing the famed Citadel mountain. Rudy's father sacrificed his own life to save the climber that he was responsible for as his guide. People talk about Harry Potter's character Hermoine, but she cant' hold a candle to the great Janet Munro playing Rudy's love interest Lizbeth. Janet Munro could melt any mans heart. She is sweet, fun, spunky and outgoing. A beautiful ball of energy. It's easy to realize why Walt Disney saw so much in her. The great Micheal Rennie as the famous climber captain Winter helps Rudy with his support when his uncle, played by James Donald, does not want him to be a guide and meet with the same fate as his father. Laurence Naismith as always gives a great performance as Teo; the older friend and climber of Rudy's father who was there when he died. Teo's bark is worse than his bite and his warmth and love for both Lizbeth and Rudy is seen in many ways. There chemistry is fun and sweet. The acting is amazing, the cinematography is breathtaking. As is said this was filmed on location in Zermatt Switzerland where the 14,000 foot Matterhorn stands. Walt Disney named the famous ride after the Matterhorn. It still remains one of the most beautiful climbing films of all time. If you are a fan of Walt Disney, this is a must see film. Rarely is there a film that I never tire of, and this one is it. If you have even half a heart, you will love this film.This is the way movies should be made. It's sad Hollywood does not do it like this anymore.
DEMILLE-2
One of the well hidden Disney classics is Ken Annikens Third Man on the Mountains released in 1959. It stars Michael Rennie as Captain Winters who comes to a Swiss village to climb the Citadel, one of the worlds highest and most dangerous mountains and the peak that claimed the life of Rudy Matt's father, played by James McCarther. It was filmed on location in Zermatt Switzerland where the 14,000 foot Matterhorn stands. It is one of the great adventure films of all time taken from the book Banner in the Sky by James Ramsey Ullman. Very few movies have been made about mountain climbing, The Mountain with Spencer Tracy, The White Tower with Glenn Ford and The Eiger Sanction with Clint Eastwood. But Third Man on the Mountain has the most heart. All of the above films are on video tape.
