Next up is a river-rafting adventure through the Grand Canyon in boats that I would not feel safe rafting in. But that’s just me. For this project, I’m focusing on the story itself, including dialogue, character development, any subplots, how a story presents itself, the speed at which it moves, if it slows down unnecessarily, etc.
A Brief Summary
(Taken from D23)
The film is based on the journal of Maj. John Wesley Powell, who led the expedition that made the journey, hitherto thought impossible, down the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River in 1869. It is both a reenactment of this historical scientific expedition, and a dramatic story of the struggles, dangers, and conflicts of the ten men who made the trip. A prominent character in the story is a small dog that is responsible for the rescue of the major just before the boats shoot the final treacherous rapids.
What works
- It kind of felt like a True-Life Adventure, as far as the tone at the beginning and throughout parts of the movie. The voice-over at the end (not from main character Major Powell) also felt very similar to the ending narrations from the True-Life Adventure series
- Reminds me of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea because the basis of this story was taken from the journal of the Major Powell who led the expedition, and whose character had voice-overs periodically throughout the film. But his voice-overs didn’t feel quite as intrusive as Prof. Arronax’s voice-overs.
- Walter and George Bradley’s come-together moment was great. The curious part of me wants to know what they said, but that would have taken too much unnecessary time from the main story.
- The relief on the Major’s face when both Walter and Bradley return to camp and the duet that the two men sing after was a great conclusion to Walter’s side plotline.
- The final rapids scene was fantastic. It was definitely worth the wait.
What may or may not work
- The story’s about a 1000-mile journey, and at times it definitely felt like it.
- Just about every man in the expedition had strong personalities which made for some great interactions. Because pretty much the entire movie is of the these ten men, you really got to see how they reacted to other personalities, which made it far more interesting. That being said, several members of the crew blended together to where I wouldn’t be able to name them if I saw them in a picture.
- Andy, I remember because he had a ‘Scottish’ accent and Jarvie was his dog; the Major and his brother, Walter, I remember; and then Frank Goodman and Bill Dunn, I remember because they both bugged me; the other crew members, whether I liked them or not, maybe had one or two stand out moments in the plot but overall were just background characters (even if the characters were real people).
- The movie really takes its time in telling the story. Yes, at times it did feel a little slow, but with
- When Bill Dunn and the Howland brothers split and leave the remaining party towards the end of the film, there’s a voice-over that it was the last time the Major (and party) saw them ever again, but then the film shows a little bit of what MIGHT have happened before we find out that they eventually died in the desert. with arrows. Knowing from the first voice-over after they left that they wouldn’t be seen again, my nerves tensed up whenever they still appeared on the screen because I worried that we’d actually see their death scene. Silly me, Disney wouldn’t do that to me this close to the end of the film. But then again, there were plenty of death moments in Tonka, so I’ll just say that it wouldn’t have fit with this movie.
- Bill Dunn has such a hot temper. I mean, I feel bad that he ended up dying, but he was a loose cannon through a good portion of the movie with an attitude that I really didn’t care for. Don’t get me wrong, he wasn’t the only one who was getting more and more irritable as the movie went on (as long journeys are prone to do to people), but he and Oramel Howland (one of the other men who died in the desert) were probably my least favorites.
- Moments with Frank (because he bugged me)
- Frank Goodman is an idiot. Getting Billy Hawkins/Missouri to drink alcohol just because. Like honestly, the man is rowing a boat through previously uncharted waters. Leave him alone.
- Frank Goodman, a snob, who is showing off his poetry skills.
- The ‘Ten Jolly Rovers’ song was entertaining and then freakin’ FRANK GOODMAN had to jump in with a poem by Lord Byron. What a kill-joy.
Honorable Mentions
- When the men start chasing into the water to save the whiskey barrel, Walter shoots his gun in the air and Bill Dunn throws his hands up and says “I quit”. (I don’t drink, but that would be my reaction too)
- Favorite lines from the movie
- “I’m a geologist and I believe in science.” (Major Powell)
- “There were 10 other names you should have.” “who?” “next of kin” (a bystander talking to a reporter)
- “Pretty good looking old world, George.”
“I forgot how big it is.”
“That’s not a bad thing to remember.” (Walter and George)
- Love for Jarvie
- JARVIE! Cutest dog alive.
- Again with Jarvie, cutest dog, and nobody’s a match for his pleading face. Not even the Major. “I hadn’t met you when I made that rule.” (animals weren’t allowed on the trip) SO PRECIOUS!
- Jarvie saves the day! (sounds the alarm to let Walter and the rest of the men know that the Major was in trouble)
- Bill Dunn’s astrology book (?) if that’s what it’s called. Bless his little heart, he doesn’t know what half of the words mean and yet that is his live-or-die book.
Side Questions
- I get that they’re all grown men and so maybe a baggage check wouldn’t have been a thing that crossed Major Powell’s mind, but how was Andy able to sneak Jarvie onboard as well as Frank being able to sneak whiskey on board as well, and not just a small flask but a decent sized little barrel full of it.
Would I watch this movie again?
- Maybe if I was really in the mood for an early live-action Disney film. It had some enjoyable moments (for me) but I didn’t think that it had a “must watch again” vibe to it.
If you’ve seen Ten Who Dared, what are some of your thoughts? Share in the comments below!
Rewind to the beginning of the Disney Film Project
Skip back to the previous film with Jungle Cat
Fast Forward to the next film with Swiss Family Robinson
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