Allan Quatermain has certainly seen some cinematic action over the years. Starting in the 1930's H. Rider Haggard's adventurer has been played by the likes of Patrick Swayze, Stewart Granger and Richard Chamberlain in Cannon's Raiders of the Lost Ark rip off. Even Sean Connery got in on the act for The League of Extraordinary Gentleman, although that was based on a comic book and not a Haggard story.

This brings us bang up to date with the latest version of King Solomon's Mines from those busy people at The Asylum. Released around the same time as Indiana Jones' latest screen outing, we have a rather laid back Quatermain this time around played by South African actor Sean Cameron Michael. This makes a pleasant change from the rather camp heroics of Richard Chamberlain in those films from the 80's.

Our story starts with Quatermain being hired by aristocratic Sir Henry and the gorgeous Lady Anna to locate the mines of King Solomon. Armed with an old map, Quatermain leads across the wilds of Africa to its alleged location. At the same time they are pursued by the psychotic Hartford who also wants the riches of the mines himself.

Not quite as action packed as you would expect, Temple of Skulls is more of a 'quest' movie then an action picture. However there are some nice sequences in particular anything with the natives and its rather mad chief. Obviously made very quickly but featuring some lovely location shots in South Africa, the film is a pleasant enough experience, although if Quatermain returns (and why not?) lets have some more action next time.

As mentioned above, Michael makes a pretty good hero, British thespian Christopher Adamson is a suitably hissable villain. However the film's weak point is Sir Henry himself, actor Daniel Bonjour who is simply awful, the only real weak link in the casting. One quick note to the film's producers is.... get Natalie Stone (Lady Anna) signed up for more films, she is simply stunning!!

As with all recent Asylum releases the picture is anamorphically enhanced for widescreen televisions and has a crisp clear picture. I watched the film with the 5.1 presentation and dialogue was clear and concise through the centre speaker. However, not much seemed to happen in the surrounds although the sound effects and music sounded just fine in the front left and right channels.

Trailers of Allan Quatermain and the Temple of Skulls, 100 Million BC, War of the Worlds 2, Doomsday and Monster.

3 Featurettes

Allan Quatermain and the Making of the Temple of Skulls (5:07)
A very honest interview with the director Mark Atkins who reveals some real interesting facts from the film's production.

The Zulu Way (5:02)
A short featurette featuring the film's native extras.

The Locations of Allan Quatermain
A selection of 5 brief location featurettes complete with the standard behind the scenes footage.

Commentary
An interesting commentary from the director and one of the visual effects producers, where lots of production titbits are revealed...a really good insight into low budget imaginative film making.

Not the greatest adventure movie made and certainly not the worst. If Quatermain returns, lets have some more action. Not bad but there is better product out there.