Amazon Quest (1949) User Reviews

A rather acceptable time waster

[searchanddestroy-1 · 15 June 2014]

It's a surprise to see that picture has not been commented yet. I have it in my Library since twenty five years now, taped off from an US TV broadcast, back in the early eighties. I have it in a good quality for a VHS. Well, concerning the film itself, nothing terrific here. Tom Neal is the hero in search for his father, in deep amazon jungle. Sometimes it looks like a documentary, with a voice off, even if it not. It is filmed like a Tarzan movie, or Jungle Jim. Much footage material: crocodiles, serpents, monkeys and so on. The usual jungle stuff.

An adventure yarn seemingly hard to find. I am Lucky. Maybe I have many more films in my collection not yet commented on the greatest database in the world. My only family.

Thanks to IMDb.

"Green Hell" re-visited!

[JohnHowardReid · 4/10 · 23 August 2017]

Copyright 2 April 1949 by Film Classics, Inc. U.S. release: 1 March 1949. New York opening at the Rialto: 13 May 1949. U.K. release through International: March 1950. Australian release through 20th Century- Fox: 18 August 1954 (sic). 6,764 feet. 75 minutes. Censored to 6,718 feet in the U.K.

U.K. release title: AMAZON.

Re-issue title: WHITE BRIDE OF THE JUNGLE.

SYNOPSIS: A claimant to a share in rich rubber company treks through the Amazon jungle in search of his father.

COMMENT: Although Film Classics publicity claims that Iren Agay spent seven months in the Amazonian jungle making this movie, in point of fact, it was reportedly shot in Hollywood in six days. The movie incorporates long inserts of location and other footage from the 1938 German film, "Green Hell", directed by Eduard von Borsody. In addition to Hans Nielsen and Gustav Diessl (who can be seen quite plainly), the cast included Vera von Lange, René Deltgen and Roma Bahn.

Needless to say, the 1938 footage of colorful Brazilian backgrounds and wild animal thrills is much more exciting and expertly executed than its 1949 Hollywood-shot surround. No wonder director Steve Sekely hid his contribution under a pseudonym!

In order to solve the continuity problem, there's not much actual dialogue, most of the picture being narrated by Tom Neal.

All the same, "Amazon Quest" possesses a certain curiosity fascination for the connoisseur. Average moviegoers will find it entertaining enough on the lower half of a double bill.

OTHER VIEWS: Tepid adventure story about the stealing of rubber seed in the Brazilian jungle. Much local color in the form of snakes, crocodiles and bandits. — Monthly Film Bulletin.