Disney has a fine tradition of adventure-packed live action films such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Swiss Family Robinson, and no less spectacular was The Island at the Top of the World – a journey into the treacherous and exotic land that time forgot.

As the story begins, an expedition of English explorers, led by Professor John Ivarson, makes their way to the North Pole, via zeppelin, in search of a legendary whale graveyard. Tagging along is the wealthy Sir Anthony Ross, in the hopes of finding his lost son. As the main traverse the barren and frozen wasteland, they are surprised to find a hidden valley, unknown to the rest of the world, and whose inhabitants survive thanks to the heat generated by an enormous nearby volcano. The members of the expedition soon learn that these inhabitants aren’t the most hospitable bunch. It turns out they are fearsome Viking warriors who proceed to capture the men, leading, of course, to an escape, a dangerous chase, and a magnificently explosive climax.

While is clear that the works of Jules Verne undoubtedly influenced this adventurous tale, it was actually based upon a book called The Lost Ones, written by Ian Cameron and adopted for the film by John Whedon. It would be one of the last films to be directed by Robert Stevenson, who brought such classic films as Mary Poppins to life for the Disney Company. Filled with picturesque landscapes that included treacherous volcanoes, dazzling ice caves and flying zeppelins, it offered a wonderful combination of edge-of-the-seat storytelling and stunning special effects to weave a believable tale of dangerous adventure. The Island at the Top of the World is an unforgettable and timeless classic in the fine tradition of Disney live-action films.