Boy on a Dolphin

Boy on a Dolphin

19/4/1957 1h 51m 5.5/10

Overview

Phaedra is a poor sponge diver on the lovely Greek isle of Hydra. While diving, she discovers an ancient brass and gold statue of a boy riding a dolphin, which is said to have the magical power to grant wishes. Her shiftless boyfriend wants to sell it to an unscrupulous art collector, but Phaedra wants to give it to anthropologist Jim Calder, who would return it to the Greek government.

Director

Jean Negulesco

Top Billed Cast

Sophia Loren

Sophia Loren

Phaedra

Alan Ladd

Alan Ladd

Dr. James 'Jim' Calder

Alex Minotis

Alex Minotis

Milidias Nadapoulos

Laurence Naismith

Laurence Naismith

Dr. Hawkins

Clifton Webb

Clifton Webb

Victor Parmalee

Jorge Mistral

Jorge Mistral

Rhif

Reviews

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

4/26/2022

6/10

I can't help but wonder if this might not have worked better in black and white? As it is, it's a rather sterile and distinctly unsexy treasure hunt with a scantily clad, but off-form Sophia Loren in the role of sponge diver ("Phaedra"). On one such dive, she discovers a statue of a young boy riding a dolphin, nestled amongst the weeds. Desperate for some cash, she soon has the interest of the honourable "Dr. Calder" (Alan Ladd) and the unscrupulous "Parmalee" (Clifton Webb) vying for her attention - and for the location of this legendary work of art. It's not that it's a bad film, this - its just that there is way too much dialogue and nowhere near enough action. Webb's manoeuvrings are the highlight, but Ladd just looks like he is here (Greece) for a suntan. Geoffrey Keen turns in quite an engaging performance as the dipsomaniac doctor "Hawkins" and it has a pleasing soundtrack with the odd dance from Miss Loren before an ending that though right and proper, I found a bit, well, twee! Anyway, the cinematography looks nice and there is some good underwater photography to admire, but it's still all a pretty forgettable adventure with nobody really firing on all cylinders.

Similar Movies

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

8.5

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

2003

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

8.4

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

2001

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

8.4

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

2002

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

7.8

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

2003

2001: A Space Odyssey

8.1

2001: A Space Odyssey

1968

Raiders of the Lost Ark

7.9

Raiders of the Lost Ark

1981

Apocalypse Now

8.3

Apocalypse Now

1979

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

7.3

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

1984

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

7.3

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

2000

The Elementary Particles

6.1

The Elementary Particles

2006

War of the Worlds

6.5

War of the Worlds

2005

The Lord of the Rings

6.6

The Lord of the Rings

1978

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

7.4

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

2000

All Quiet on the Western Front

7.7

All Quiet on the Western Front

1930

Fahrenheit 451

7.1

Fahrenheit 451

1966

Anatomy of a Murder

7.8

Anatomy of a Murder

1959