A new version of the adventure classic “King Solomon’s Mines” came out in 1985 on the one hundredth anniversary of the publication of Henry Rider Haggard’s 1885 novel. This film, directed by J. Lee Thompson (“The Guns of Navarone” 1961), features Richard Chamberlain and Sharon Stone in a story that spoofs 1981’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” as well as being a remake of the much-celebrated 1950 movie with Stewart Granger and Deborah Kerr.
The supporting cast includes John Rhys-Davies as Dogati, which brings to mind his part of Sallah in Steven Spielberg’s big “Raiders” movies. Also involved are Herbert Lom as Col. Bochner; he began his Hollywood career in 1942 portraying Napoleon in “The Young Mr. Pitt.” This was one of his last big screen appearances, while Ms. Stone was at the beginning of her rise to stardom. Other cast includes Ken Gampu, Sam Williams, Shaike Ophir.
“King Solomon’s Mines” is watchable entertainment with generous amounts of humor and action-adventure courtesy of screenwriters Gene Quintano and James R. Silke. It was a hit in theatrical release for Cannon Films and The Cannon Group. A sequel called “Allan Quatermain and the Jewel of the East” was released the next year starring Chamberlain and Stone. The two movies were filmed back-to-back.
King Solomon’s Mines (1985)
cinema
My Review
A new version of the adventure classic “King Solomon’s Mines” came out in 1985 on the one hundredth anniversary of the publication of Henry Rider Haggard’s 1885 novel. This film, directed by J. Lee Thompson (“The Guns of Navarone” 1961), features Richard Chamberlain and Sharon Stone in a story that spoofs 1981’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” as well as being a remake of the much-celebrated 1950 movie with Stewart Granger and Deborah Kerr.
The supporting cast includes John Rhys-Davies as Dogati, which brings to mind his part of Sallah in Steven Spielberg’s big “Raiders” movies. Also involved are Herbert Lom as Col. Bochner; he began his Hollywood career in 1942 portraying Napoleon in “The Young Mr. Pitt.” This was one of his last big screen appearances, while Ms. Stone was at the beginning of her rise to stardom. Other cast includes Ken Gampu, Sam Williams, Shaike Ophir.
“King Solomon’s Mines” is watchable entertainment with generous amounts of humor and action-adventure courtesy of screenwriters Gene Quintano and James R. Silke. It was a hit in theatrical release for Cannon Films and The Cannon Group. A sequel called “Allan Quatermain and the Jewel of the East” was released the next year starring Chamberlain and Stone. The two movies were filmed back-to-back.