King Solomon's Mines (1985)

"My gramophone; save my gramophone.", 9 September 2014

Allan Quatermain (Richard Chamberlain), renowned adventurer, agrees to take a young woman (Sharon Stone) across Africa in search of her father. The search changes from the girl's father to a search for the legendary King Solomon's Mine. Along the way, they encounter wild animals, hostile natives, a ruthless Turkish fortune hunter, and an even more ruthless German fortune hunter.

Given its inherent limitations, King Solomon's Mines almost works perfectly. Yeah, it's got the low budget you would expect from an 80s era Cannon/Golan-Globus Production. Special effects, while fun in a cheesy sort of way, really highlight the budget limitations. The plot feels little more than a shameless rip of Indiana Jones, but is still enjoyable enough. Most of the acting is at least acceptable. Sharon Stone's constant whining didn't bother me as much as some other reviews I've read. Overall, King Solomon's Mines is pretty good for what it is.

Notice I said the movie worked "almost" perfectly. My main complaint and the reason I cannot rate it any higher is Richard Chamberlain's Quatermain. Whether it was Chamberlain or the way the character was written, he comes off as a phony. I'm not buying him as a rugged adventurer. He's too well quaffed and too well dressed to be taken seriously. He's too obviously an actor trying to play a rugged adventurer. And that hat - the leopard band looks ridiculous. A better character or better actor might have made King Solomon's Mines a better experience.

My favorite part of the film has to be scene-stealing Herbert Lom. His Colonel Bockner is so over-the-top, it's often laugh-out-loud funny. The instances where he is on screen with John Rhys-Davis are a real treat, with each trying to outdo the other. Really good stuff.

5/10