The Island at the Top of the World
Adventure beyond imagination
1974 • 94 min • Adventure · Family · Fantasy
Synopsis
A Victorian gentleman hopes to find his long-lost son, who vanished while searching for a mysterious Viking community in a volcanic valley somewhere in uncharted Arctic regions. The gentleman puts together an expedition team to go on the search, but when they reach their destination they must escape from some Viking descendants who will kill to keep their existence a secret.
Our family guide
Best from age 7- 75 Reviewers · 4 · 60%
- 65 Audience · 93 · 40%
In the early 1900s, a determined father leads an arctic expedition to find his missing son, who disappeared while searching for a lost Viking civilization. The team encounters dangers from a killer whale and hostile Viking descendants in a hidden, volcanic land, who are fiercely protective of their secrets. They must escape to survive.
- Violence & peril
- 3/10
- Language
- 0/10
- Drinking, drugs & smoking
- 0/10
- Romance & sensuality
- 0/10
- Scary moments
- 4/10
Heads up
- Some moments of peril with a killer whale
- Tense encounters with armed indigenous people
What it models well
- Courage and perseverance
- Exploration and discovery
- Family loyalty
Talk about it after
- The importance of respecting other cultures and ways of life
- The historical significance of Viking exploration
- The dangers and rewards of exploring unknown territories
Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for The Island at the Top of the World. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.
Where to watch
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Top billed cast
Director: Robert Stevenson • Crew: John Whedon
Trailers & clips
The Island at the Top of the World (trailer)
Reviewer notes
RecommendedDiscovered this the other day in a tin of DVDs. It is a little bit far-fetched, but nonetheless a smashing Disney family adventure about a millionaire who sets off to the Arctic in an airship with a professor and a slightly grumpy French captain (the frequently scene-stealing Jacques Marin) to track down his missing son.…
Recommended_**Jules Verne-like adventure about finding a lost colony of Vikings**_ A British aristocrat (Donald Sinden) in London, 1907, arranges an expedition to the arctic in a state-of-the-art airship to find his lost son (David Gwillim). Along for the ride are an archaeologist (David Hartman), the captain of the vessel (Jacques Marin) and a fearless Eskimo (Mako).…
RecommendedTrusted family reviewersA very good film! I felt thoroughly entertained for the entirety of the 93 minute run time of <em>'The Island at the Top of the World'</em>. The special effects may have aged in quite funky and mildly chucklesome fashion, but the great adventure elements, pinpoint pacing and terrific cast help the film keep a high footing.…
Not recommendedTrusted family reviewersThe Entrance to Hell! The Island at the Top of the World is directed by Robert Stevenson and adapted to screenplay by John Whedon from the novel The Lost Ones written by Ian Cameron. It stars Donald Sinden, David Hartman, Jacques Marin, Mako and Agneta Eckemyr. Music is by Maurice Jarre and cinematography by Frank Phillips.…
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Gallery
Details
- TMDB audience
- 6.5/10 (93)
- Age rating
- G
- Status
- Released
- IMDb
- tt0071671
