Jivaro

I watched Jivaro last night. The 3-D is outstanding. Everything from carefully crafted matte shots to the typical gimmick shots of arrows, boulders, shrunken heads, and other objects being thrown at the screen were crafted to show off 3-D. My favorite sequence was when the rope bridge breaks and collapses. The use of space was carefully considered. Objects and actors were placed at the foreground, middle, and background to take advantage of space as much as possible. They even had actors pop into the foreground out of nowhere similar to Charles Bronson's character in House of Wax.The story combined typical Saturday Matinee Serial action with exotic romance typical of films like Red Dust (1932) which starred Jean Harlow and Clark Gable. The film doesn't break new ground, but is quite entertaining as long as you don't care that's it's been done before. The 3-D gives it that extra spice to make it much more interesting. I believe Paramount would have done well to release it in that format instead of releasing it flat.A huge round of applause for Bob Furmanek, Greg Kintz, Jack Theakston, and the rest of the 3-D Film Archive for restoring this 3-D film back to life. I'm hoping that other 3-D films that were released flat like The Diamond Wizard (1954), The Command (1954), The Bounty Hunter (1954), and Son of Sinbad (1955) receive the same treatment in the near future.

adventure n. 1 an unusual, exciting, and daring experience. 2 excitement arising from danger or risk.While you could argue that Alice Parker's (Rhonda Fleming) initial journey to the Amazon trading outpost to reach her fiance meets the above requirements for an adventure, that part of her story isn't shown on screen. In fact, the only real adventure here takes place in the final twenty-five minutes. But what a glorious twenty-five minutes! A rope bridge over a raging river, dense jungle foliage with all the layering you could dream of, windswept ruins, hostile natives shooting flaming arrows at the camera: it's exactly what I wanted when I first heard about Jivaro.The preceding hour-and-a-bit, quite frankly, isn't what was advertised. In the commentary, Jack Theakston and Hillary Hess say the film is tightly scripted in terms of foreshadowing what's to come. That might be so, but I also find it dramatically anaemic. The superbly underplayed romance between Alice and Rio (Fernando Lamas) would be perfect as a secondary plot element if the main story—her quest to find her fiance—had any weight. But it rarely does. And the conflict, provided by lascivious prospector Brian Keith, peaks during a bruising fist-fight but then gets swept up in the final expedition and promptly loses its steam.As with several of these Golden Age 3-D films, I had to watch Jivaro twice, the first time for what it wasn't, the second time for what it was. On second viewing, I surrendered to the leisurely pace and found I could luxuriate in the sumptuous stereography, colourful production, fine acting, and the imaginative evocation of this Amazon setting on the studio backlot. You could say I jived with Jivaro and became a fan. Plus, I just love the 1950's Technicolor feel.The 3-D is wonderful throughout. You're always conscious of it but never distracted by it, apart from the flying arrows and such near the end. It reminded me of the intuitive, naturalistic 3-D in Miss Sadie Thompson, which was strong without being ostentatious. The layering of dripping water in Alice's room when the rainstorm hits is one of my favourite effects: it's gritty and dream-like at the same time, and absolutely puts you inside the room with her. The sheeting rain outside is also great, as is the smoke in the saloon. There are several instances of characters jumping into the frame from negative space—remember Igor in House of Wax—and they work every time.The film fulfils its 3-D action-adventure potential and then some as it reaches the finale, first with the rope bridge sequence and then, one of my favourites of any Golden Age 3-D blu-ray, the Valley of the Winds sequence. It's so exotic and striking and dangerous-looking, it kicks the film up several gears. Combined with the sound effects and some clever stereo touches—raging water, a swaying corpse, the positioning of the actors—it's transportive in all the ways I want a movie adventure to be.I found the commentary fascinating, informative and fun. Jack and Hillary engage with lots of behind-the-scenes insights; they also provide plenty of welcome context for the production and its place within the era's short-lived 3-D boom. Greg Kintz interjects briefly to shed some light on his wizardly restoration. And Mike Ballew gamely delves into the many technical stereoscopic issues and innovations involved in crafting this unique 3-D production. Who knew the lengths they went to to solve the problems of parallax! That explosion of creativity and improvisation, and the end results, in such a brief time-frame—really a matter of months from 1953/4—proves how much talent was poured into these often-overlooked movies.Every one restored so far has been a pleasure to watch again and again. Jivaro is no exception. It's another must-own for 3-D fans.

I missed a showing of this adventure film in 3D when it was shown at the 3D Expo in Hollywood a few years ago but now I have it in Blu ray and it looks great even more impressive than "Sangaree" which I'd seen in my youth during the 3D craze though this film was never shown in that process. The late Fernando Lamas was a very good actor and his stoic image contributes greatly to this action thriller as well Rhonda Fleming who was in 2 other 3D films, "Inferno" and "Those Redheads From Seattle". Not to be missed if you're lover of 3D films.

3-D Archive sees to it that a wonderful example of 50s dual-eyed cinema can be seen at last in the medium for which it was intended. (The film was released flat at the end of the 50s 3-D era.) Rhonda Fleming and Fernando Lamas "look marvelous" in glorious Technicolor and pop-out cinematics. Lots of fun and kudos to 3-D Archive for keeping the medium alive. Despite nay-sayers, classic 3-Dimension entertainment ain't going anywhere!!!

So the poster is a little misleading. It gives off an Indiana Jones vibe circa the 1950s, and while there are Amazon headhunters and poison blow darts and (technically) buried treasure...it is in the third act only (and it's a brief third act). The movie is much, much more about the main reluctant "hero" guy having sympathy for the beautiful redhead who was duped into travelling into the jungle by her fiance. They have a very slow burn chemistry, and his are not the only eyes that are caught by her beauty. It's not for kids...(A) they'd be bored by the slow movie and (B) there is a scene of near-sexual assault...but if you are a grown up who enjoys classic movies in sharp 3D technicolor, then it's worthy of being owned.

The 3D Is great.

Another excellent restoration from the 3d film archive. The plot may be weak, but 50s 3d is worth saving. Hats off to the guys at the archive. A must for 50s 3d collectors.

The 3-D Film Archive can do no wrong and once again they give us a perfect example of quality vintage 3D that wipes the floor with the timid 3D Hollywood seems to be unable to get away from. The film itself is super atmospheric as a result of the extra dimension and as a bonus is also super entertaining. An essential purchase.It's just a shame that this release is Region A locked so that those with Region B players can't enjoy it without having to buy another Blu-ray player, there really is no excuse for region locking in the 21st century.

Another fantastic restoration by the 3d Archive. A standard fifties search for treasure in the jungle romp. Although filmed in 3d it was released theatrically in flat 2d so this is the first time we can see the film as it was intended,and it looks wonderful.

this is not a review about the film as the film is quite good but the English sound track is all out of sync so it ruins the film. I have ordered this from two sellers and they are both useless so don't buy this film

Great find! Exciting story, fantastic 3d.

It's a fun old movie if you like the type; lots of pretty pictures but a very basic plot line. It's always a thrill to see Rhonda Fleming in her prime. It's remarkable to see what Hollywood could do on a back lot in the golden years. It's no classic but still very worthwhile.

If you're interested in an obvious romance film this one is for you. As an adventure movie it's very minor. There are some good 3d effects in it but it squanders several opportunities including a couple of fights.