WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Island At The Top Of The World, The
Genre:Action Adventure

Reviewed In Issue 11 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
David Hartman, Donald Sinden, Jacques Marin, Mako, David Gwillim, Agneta Eckemyr

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3
Sound Rating: 2
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
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Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Walt Disney Home Video
(Catalog Number): 054 AS
(MPAA Rating): G
(Retail Price): $$34.99
(Running Time In Minutes): 94
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1974
(LD Release Date): 8/1/94
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Robert StevensonThe picture has been framed in the European 1.66:1 aspect ratio. Images are sharp and detailed with excellent contrast, natural fleshtones, and deep blacks. The sets appear unreal with obvious matte backdrops and there can be seen artifacts and a slight discolored vertical ban on either side of the frame.
(Screenplay/Written By): John Whedon
(Story): NA
(Music): Maurice Jarre
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Peter Ellenshaw
(Visual Effects): NA
(Costume Designer): Bill Thomas
(Editor): Robert Stafford, ACE
(Supervising Sound Editors): Herb Taylor
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): NA
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Winston Hibler

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.75:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.66:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Mono Sound
(Theatrical Sound): Optical Mono
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital): No
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround): No
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Based on “The Lost Ones” by Ian Cameron Island At The Top Of The World takes us on an expedition to the Arctic in search of the missing son of a wealthy Englishman (Sinden) who believes that his child is lost in a land forgotten by time. Archaeologist John Ivarsson (Hartman) leads the group in a giant airship and they are all astonished to find themselves carried off to a mysterious Viking kingdom hidden among the clouds.

LaserDisc Picture:
The picture has been framed in the European 1.66:1 aspect ratio. Images are sharp and detailed with excellent contrast, natural fleshtones, and deep blacks. The sets appear unreal with obvious matte backdrops and there can be seen artifacts and a slight discolored vertical ban on either side of the frame.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack is undistinguished mon-aural with excessive background noise. Maurice Jarre’s score is isolated on one track.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz): No
(Aggressive System Surround): No
(Intense 25Hz Bass): No
(Deep Bass Challenging): No
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield): No
(Aggressive Split Surround): No
(Center Back Surround Imaging): No
(Directionalized Dialogue): No
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: