Overview
An exhilarating journey through the heart of Africa leads to unexpected love and adventure.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- thrilling
- romantic
- picturesque
- classic movie night
- adventure marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as a highly scenic and spectacular romantic adventure whose location photography and momentum outweighed its hokum, though some found it stilted and unevenly cast.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Allan Quatermain guides Elizabeth Curtis through Africa toward King Solomon's legendary diamond mine.
Elizabeth and Allan's relationship deepens as the safari faces wildlife, hostile groups, and difficult terrain.
The film was shot in African highlands and emphasizes scenic novelty, wildlife, jungle terrain, and colorful expedition imagery.
The story adapts H. Rider Haggard's expedition fiction and frames Africa through mid-century Hollywood depictions of explorers, wildlife, and so-called savages.
Films like King Solomon's Mines, and why
The African Queen
shared golden-age adventure spectacle, treasure hunting, African wilderness setting, and romantic chemistry
Mogambo
shared literary adventure storytelling, colonial-era exploration, danger in the wilderness, and romance
The Lost World
shared 19th-century expedition narrative, lost treasure, action peril, and colorful exotic locations
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
shared classic treasure-hunt structure, larger-than-life adventurers, and escapist romance
Movie Details
- Directors
- Compton Bennett, Andrew Marton
- Release Date
- 1950-11-09
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (140)
Cast
- Deborah Kerr
- Stewart Granger
- Richard Carlson
- Hugo Haas
- Lowell Gilmore
- Kimursi
- Siriaque
- Sekaryongo
- Baziga
- Munto Anampio
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, TCM
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is King Solomon's Mines about?
- A seasoned African guide escorts a determined woman through wilderness peril and rival intrigue in pursuit of a vanished husband and legendary treasure.
- What is King Solomon's Mines like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of King Solomon's Mines as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is King Solomon's Mines violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in King Solomon's Mines as moderate.
- What did critics think of King Solomon's Mines?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as a highly scenic and spectacular romantic adventure whose location photography and momentum outweighed its hokum, though some found it stilted and unevenly cast.
- Which films are like King Solomon's Mines?
- Films with a similar feel include The African Queen, Mogambo, The Lost World, and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.
- How long is King Solomon's Mines?
- King Solomon's Mines runs 103 minutes.
- Where can I watch King Solomon's Mines?
- In United States, King Solomon's Mines streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, TCM.
