Renowned safari hunter Allan Quatermain ventures back into the African jungles to find a man who disappeared while searching for the fabled King Solomon's Mines.
Directed by Steve Boyum it's a pity Hallmark's King Solomon's Mines was a two-part television miniseries and not a film. Not to take anything away from Boyum's offering with a little edit and trim of fat it could have been the definitive version and served up to a general cinema audience.
It's a serious adaptation of the 1885 novel of the same name by Henry Rider Haggard. Boyum is a wonderful director, with a sweeping film-like visual flare. Aesthetically it’s really something special.
Patrick Swayze is impressive and shines as moody Allan Quatermain. Alison Doody is memorable as Elizabeth Maitland and gives a great performance along with the supporting cast. Both Swayze and Doody are outstanding as they travel through Africa, fending off trackers, imposters and Russian mercenaries.
Overall, it's a crying shame that this was presented as two-part miniseries and not edited into a punchier feature length film. Nevertheless, it's worth watching for its performances and great locations alone.
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