Third Man on the Mountain

History and Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland

Year Released:1959
Michael's Movie Grade:A-

                                               History

When Walt and his family went on a vacation in the Swiss Alps, he became inspired to make a film that takes place there and would be shot there. After reading a book called Banner in the Sky by James Ramsey Ullman (who appeared in an uncredited cameo in this film), he decided that that book would be perfect for a Disney film. This film would become Third Man on the Mountain.

This film would be a return to Disney for director Ken Annakin, who had previously directed The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men and The Sword and the Rose for Disney. He would later direct Swiss Family Robinson for the studio.

Two of the main stars had also worked for Disney previously. James MacArthur had previously been in The Light in the Forest and Janet Murno had previously been in Darby O Gill and the Little People. This was both of their second appearance in a Disney film. Both of them also did their own mountain climbing in the movie. James Donald who played James MacArthur's uncle also did some climbing. James MacArthur would in fact sneak off on a day he had off, to climb the Matterhorn himself. MacArthur and Murno both had no accidents while climbing, but James Donald fell and injured himself. At least one day of shooting these scenes would have to be called off early due to fog. A professional mountain climber and guide named Gaston Rbuffat was hired to help supervise the mountain climbing scenes. Rbuffat would also meet with the Walt and the story department for a week in Burbank. This was no Rbuffat's first time working on a film he had previously directed a 1955 French documentary on mountain climbing called  Etoiles Et Tempetes. Georges Tairrez who was the photographer on that film help photograph some of the scenes that took place on the mountain in this film. However the main cinematographer for Third Man on the Mountain was Harry Waxman. This is one of the only two Disney films Waxman would be the cinematographer for (the other would be Swiss Family Robinson).

One scene with James MacArthur and Janet Murno walking through a field of flowers caused some difficulty. There was only one week they could shoot this scene. This was due to when the flowers bloomed. They also needed to find a field big enough for the scene. Ken Annakin would later state that he couldn't have taken the time to do this scene right if it hadn't been for Walt, who allowed him all the time he needed to make this scene as good as it could be.

This film while forgotten by many today would become the main inspiration for the Matterhorn ride in Disneyland. The Casey Jr. train ride was originally going to be a rollercoaster, however it was latter decided that that ride would work better as a slower moving ride. However after this happened Walt still wanted to make a roller coaster for Disneyland. Visiting during the scenes that were being shot on the actually Matterhorn, Walt felt that this would be a perfect roller coaster for his theme park. The Matterhorn would become the first roller coaster in Disneyland.

Third Man on the Mountain received good reviews from critics, but did poorly at the box office. Walt however considered this movie one of his favorites.

                                          Review
Fantastic film,

What really makes this film work so well is just how likable of a character Rudi is. This is done both through the writing and James MacArthur's performance. This film takes it's time and truly gets to really know Rudi and like him before rushing into the more suspenseful scenes of the film. Because of this the more suspenseful scenes are extremely exciting. These scenes work so well not just because they are so well done but also because of we like the characters in the scene.

Most Disney films from this time are very good looking, and this film is no exception. In fact this is one of Disney's best looking live action films. Considering the beautiful places this film was shot and the talent behind this film this should come as no surprise. This film is absolutely breathtaking and every scene is simply lovely to look at.

On top of these virtues the acting is top notch. Everybody in this film gives a fantastic performance. particularly notable are the two young leads James MacArthur and Janet Murno, who are near perfect in this film.

Overall this is a top notch film and a must watch for fans of Disney. And of course it also brought us one of Disneyland's best rides and that's not too shabby either.

                                                                       Film Credits
Director: Ken Annakin
Writer: Eleanore Griffin
Based off a book by James Ramsey Ullman
Cast: James MacArthur (Rudi Matt), Janet Munro (Lizbeth Hempel), Michael Rennie (Captain John Winter), James Donald (Franz Lerner), Hubert Lom (Emil Saxo), Laurence Naismith (Teo Zurbriggen), Lee Patterson (Klaus Wesselhoft), Walter Fitzgerald (Herr Hempel), Nora Swinburne (Frau Matt), Ferdy Mayne (Andreas), Helen Haye (Tourist), James Ramsey Ullman (Tourist)
Producers: Walt Disney, Bill Anderson, Alan Jaggs
Music: William Alwyn, Muir Mathieson
Songwriters: Franklyn Marks, 'By' Dunham, G. Haenni, Tom Adair
Cinematographers: Harry Waxman, Georges Tairrez
Editor: Peter Boita
Production Designer: John Howell
Production Manager: Basil Keys
Assistant Directors: Gerry O'Hara, Otto Plaschkes, Gaston Rébuffat
Property Man: Eddie Fowlie
Matte Artist: Peter Ellenshaw
Sound Artists: Chris Greenham, Tom Otter

Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
The Imagineering Field Guide to Disneyland by The Imagineers
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053352/
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Third%20Man%20on%20the%20Mountain
http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/92905/Third-Man-on-the-Mountain/articles.html

-Michael J. Ruhland