Rating of
1/4
Watch Indiana Jones instead
Indyfreak - wrote on 10/14/17
Adapted from the classic pulp character, 'DOC SAVAGE: THE MAN OF BRONZE' is a sloppy written and poorly directed adventure movie. Producer George Pal (The Time Machine, When Worlds Collide, 7 Faces of Dr Lao) indulges in his worst tendencies with unconvincing matte paintings and animation that was deemed dated decades before the movie's year of release.
It is made worse by the unnecessarily grating addition of a strangely over the top camp treatment of the story. Examples include when Doc Savage (Ron Ely) has the light twinkle in his eyes in the right spot; a heroic monologue is given its own applause (while we're still in the first act of the film); and the villain being defeated then rehabilitated as a member of the Salvation Army.
While the atmosphere is unconvincing and the tone is uneven, Ron Ely is a perfect fit for the part of Doc Savage. With a better script, he might have given Indiana Jones a run for his money. Even the villain (B movie actor Paul Wexler) manages to deliver a menacing performance before his undignified defeat by the end.
Younger audiences may enjoy it but adults will find it either annoying or boring.
