10 Essential Films For the Adventurer and the Adventure-Minded, By Andrew “Kodiak” Mullikin.

10 Essential Films

March 22nd, 2007

Everyone that has ever seen a movie has a favorite. Below are my top ten modern favorites, and a short description of each one.

Ù Braveheart: the story of Scottish hero William Wallace and starring Mel Gibson in the lead role. Braveheart not only deals with the war for Scottish independence, but also with the conflict amongst rival Scottish kings and Wallace’s personal quest for revenge.

Ù Sahara: Adapted from Clive Cussler’s adventure pulp masterpiece by the same title, this movie deals with Cussler’s quintessential adventurer, Dirk Pitt. While Pitt is studying the deaths of marine organisms, he is caught up in a conspiracy situated around the Republic of Mali’s tyrannical dictator. If you love skin-deep pulp adventure, this film is a must see.

Ù Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark: while the Indiana Jones films are often cited as not only the greatest adventure films of all time, but also as many people’s favorite movies, I think they are often overrated. Regardless, Raiders of the Lost Ark set a new standard for adventure films and the overall movie industry. As long as you are watching this movie for fun, rather than to see whether Indy’s shoelace is flat or round, this is really one of the great adventure movies.

Ù National Treasure: While this is almost definitely an Indiana Jones knockoff, this story of a generations-old conspiracy theory involving the Knights Templar, the Masonic Order and most of the Founding Fathers is a great action thriller. Unlike the Indy movies, the protagonist of this film is not a “shoot first and ask questions later” kind of character. His blunders and less-than-desirable physical strength give the film a mental edge often lost in modern shooter films.

Ù Cast Away: When Tom Hanks’ boring mailman-like character is stranded on a deserted island after a freak storm wrecks his airplane. The consequent story of survival is an ultimate man-versus-man/man-versus-environment epic.

Ù King Solomon’s Mines: While there have been many film adaptations of the classic novel by H. Rider Haggard, this is by far my favorite. Starring Stewart Granger in the lead role as extraordinary adventurer, soldier and big-game hunter Allan Quatermain, this film is the epitome of classic adventure, given that one can deal with a little bit of a far-fetched plot. Regardless of plot, the film is worth watching for not only Granger’s awesome portrayal of Quatermain, but also for the amazing costuming work.

Ù The Patriot: Another Mel Gibson film, this is the story of a French and Indian War hero who is against a bloody form of the American Revolution. However, when his son joins the cause, he is thrust into the conflict, not as a simple farmer or politician, but as a guerrilla soldier, a true warrior of warriors. This is an epic of war, of heart-rending death and of the sorrows of a father who has truly lost everything worth living for.

Ù Forrest Gump: Another film starring Tom Hanks, Forrest Gump is the epic tale of a young man (at least he starts out as a young man) who is mentally retarded. Forrest is the kind of character that truly tugs at your heartstrings, and his story is not a sad one. It is rather a well scripted half-farce, in that Forrest is witness to all of the major events of his time, from Watergate to Vietnam to the rise of Elvis Presley. All the while, Forrest goes on as oblivious as he can be, thus giving the film it’s innocent feel.

Ù Hidalgo: A fairly recent film, Hidalgo deals with the saga of Frank T. Hopkins, true-life, rough-riding cowboy. A former dispatch rider and star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, the cowboy enters (along with his horse, from who’s name the title is drawn) an Arabian adventure race of sorts. The ensuing tale, including sheiks, bandits and the deadliness of the Arabian sands, is while perhaps not an epic, a true must-see for anyone interested in the Middle East, or the concept of a daring adventurer.

Ù Casino Royale: Perhaps the greatest James Bond film of all time, this is the prequel of all the Bond installments. It follows a young, rough-cut Bond on his first real assignment, complete with beautiful cars, fast women, lots of bullets and a high-stakes poker game.