“Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze” (1975) starring Ron Ely / Z-View

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Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze (1975)

Director:  Michael Anderson

Screenplay: Joe Morhaim, George Pal based on THE MAN OF BRONZE by Kenneth Robeson

Stars: Ron Ely, Paul Gleason, William Lucking, Eldon Quick, Darrell Zwerling, Paul Wexler, Robyn Hilton, Pamela Hensley, Bob Corso, Alberto Morin, Victor Millan, Michael Berryman and Carlos Rivas.

Tagline: His body…a physical phenomenon. His mind…a mental marvel. His fight…to right all wrongs. His name…enough to strike terror into the hearts of the most hardened criminals!

The Plot…

Doc Savage returns from his Fortress of Solitude at the Artic Circle and learns that his father has died.  Doc believes his dad was murdered and decides to investigate.  He will be joined by his team, “The Amazing Five”, and it’s a good thing since they will be going up against Captain Seas and “the green death”.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Ron Ely directed some of the second unit scenes.

Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze was the last completed film for director/producer George Pal.

Although the film is pretty faithful to the Doc Savage tales, the feel of the movie is off.  It’s not played straight which is fine.  But it falls flat when it should shine.  Getting the balance of humor, camp and action isn’t an easy task.  At times I was reminded of The Great Race or the Batman television show of the 1960s.  They got it right.

The movie starts with Doc Savage alone at his Fortress of Solitude at the artic circle.  He gets up from sitting in the lotus position wearing just shorts (a towel?).  Doc heads to his New York City apartment high atop a skyscraper.  When Doc arrives, his five team members are there.  Doc said he picked up the feeling (from the Artic Circle!) that they were upset and so he rushed home.  They inform Doc his dad has died.  Doc is stunned.  Ok.  So Doc picked up on the team being upset but totally missed the feeling that his dear old dad had died?

That is just one of the things that started to bug me.  Others include when everyone piles into the car and Doc jumps on the sideboard and points straight ahead as the car takes off.  Before the team gets on the plane Doc gives a motivational speech that doesn’t motivate.  I tapped out when it showed Doc’s nemesis in a giant cradle rocking back and forth.   Your mileage could vary, but Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze just didn’t work for me.

Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze (1975) rates 1 of 5 stars