Island at the Top of the World

Matte Shot – a tribute to Golden Era & Traditional Special Effects

Welcome to the second part of my Disney Epics blog, with a close look at the many special matte and miniature trick shots in the 1974 show ISLAND AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD. Once again I’m very much indebted to former Disney matte painter and later head of the matte department Harrison Ellenshaw – a gentleman and a good sport – for his considerable and generous input as well as numerous fascinating recollections of his own experiences while assisting Alan Maley with the many, many matte painted shots which would form the backbone of the film.

Our scenario, set in 1907 – a good period for high adventure – revolves around a somewhat mismatched group (aren’t they always?) of intrepid explorers – the requisite dashing American archaeologist (the hopelessly wooden and monotone David Hartman who in every scene suggests he’s narrating a Disney trailer), a wealthy Englishman (a very irritating Donald Sinden), an eccentric French inventor (quintessential French character actor Jacques Marin) and an Eskimo (Mako, taking a break from Korean POW’s on MASH) on a trek to the North Pole, or thereabouts, in a frantic search for Sinden’s long lost son. Their quest brings them to a lost Shangri-La world of Vikings, volcanoes and the storied Whales’ Graveyard. All good stuff in a very Jules Verne-esque tailored adventure. The basic plot here has plenty of potential, and I can’t help but feel much more could have come of it in better directorial hands. My conversations with Harrison Ellenshaw have been entertaining to say the least. Seems Harrison isn’t anywhere near as forgiving as I am and found a re-screening of the DVD to be a tedious and pedestrian affair with about a hundred too many reaction shots, endless exposition and Donald Sinden, who chews the scenery like a Harryhausen Rhedosaurus, though without the Beastly charm….

…Read the Full Article @ Matte Shot

This blog is intended as a tribute to the ingenuity of the traditional matte painter where movie magic was created entirely by hand. Some of the shots will amaze in their grandeur and epic quality while others will surprise in their ‘invisibility’ to even the sophisticated viewer. I hope this collection will serve as an appreciation of the artform and both casual visitors and those with a specialist interest may benefit, enjoy and be amazed at skills largely unknown today

NZPete

The archives of  Matte Shot – A Tribute to Golden Era Special FX go WAY back and so have I, so I can feature even more articles from this great site, so  I hope you enjoy this wonderful journey with me.

PJ Max