The Wonder of It All-Celebrating Earth Day with a true wonder from 1974. And all those family friendly nature films of the 70’s — a thank you to PIE Films.
Tagline- Celebrating A Spectacular World of Nature On All Seven Continents.
or my version
Spanning Seven Continents and the World of Nature on a Global Scale!
Even today this is not only relevant but still something that everyone should see!!! Over 5 years in the making and spanning several continents. The film opens some jaw dropping cinematography. Featuring some of the most amazing aerial shots for it’s time. The way it was edited and combing the camera work gives you the feel that you are flying, and it is a point of view format. One might actual think they have wings as you the audience is gliding over a canyon and desert. All the while we are focused on what is going on below. In fact if you have ever had the opportunity to take in Disney’s Soarin at EPCOT (Walt Disney World-Florida,USA), it very well may have been the inspiration for those talented filmmakers. And it certainly has become one the favorite attractions there.
The Wonder of it All takes audiences all over this very world of ours. A planet once thought of so vast, so large that it took many days and months, even years to comb from a starting point on the map and a return back again… look at the days of Columbus and the Pilgrims… spanning months from Europe to the Americas. Now it can be done in hours on a plane…just think of all those provisions one had to store in the cargo hold. Thank goodness right. Knowing that- it is still an incredible feat these filmmakers accomplished. An eagle soaring through the sky, flying over vast canyons, to bears playing in a stream or catching fish. the clash of mountain goats on snow covered terrain to the majestic elephants roaming the plains of Africa. And all this while we are sitting in the seats of the theater or now in this digital age streaming in our homes.
This film is very nostalgic not just for the times. the ’70s but for me in particular. I can actually remember my parents taking me to see the Wonder of it All upon it’s release in January of ’74. There was snow on the ground this one Friday evening. So appropriate especially with a section of the movie delving in to the animals and surroundings of Alaska and the mountains the North West in America and other areas of our planet. If I could have I would have jumped right in to the screen just to be able to play in all that wonderful white stuff. In fact the next day that is exactly what I was doing with me my friends pretending to be park rangers. Those were the days… anyways I hope you enjoyed this little journey back to another time and celebrating Earth Day with me… Thanks.
Below-Trailer for the original release in 1974
Currently there has yet to be a Bluray released of this film however there was DVD produced featuring at the time a breakthrough in Surround Sound using Chace Recording format.
So for now VUDU is offering a digital copy in HD and the images really look spectacular. Especially on a 4K set.
Reviews on the Edge Extra-
Pacific International Enterprises(PIE) & Mike Mazurki
American film company known for its’ production of family films for over 30 years with it’s first film Challenge to be Free 1975(original title The Mad Trapper released in 1972)based on the Mad Trapper legend of the Yukon.
Starring the ever lovable Mike Mazurki(his only starring role). American actor and professional wrestler of Ukrainian descent. Making over 100 appearances on the big screen. He was the Paul Bunyan of the cinema -standing at 6'5 with a burly frame and tough “mug”. Holding 2 other professional sports position- one in Football and one in Basketball. He turned to professional sports after earning a law degree from Fordham and becoming an attorney…only because he was able earn 10 times the salary.
When the Hollywood bug struck Mike he grappled with it like his sports career and went on to star in more than 142 films. He also appeared in numerous Television productions across the ’50s, ’60s and in to the ’70s. Shows including Have Gun Will Travel to The Munsters to Fantasy Island.
Mazurki was a rugged looking character actor who could play menacing to out right hysterical in his performances. Who could have guest that this bear of a guy was so multifaceted in persona. But he was. And in reality a gentle giant who truly demonstrated this off camera. His character in Challenge is really fun to watch. For this guy really loved nature and the great outdoors. Thank you Mike for several decades giving us all fun and enjoyment in and out of the ring on both on the small and big screen.
***Trivia-Challenge to be Free was remade with Lee Marvin and Charles Bronson in the Mazurki’s role. Released in 1981 as Death Hunt. Was more an action film with some very clever escapes plus the art of deception. Directed by Peter Hunt(OHMSS).
