About Third Man on the Mountain

"Third Man on the Mountain" is a 1959 production from Disney. Inspired by real-life mountaineer Edward Whymper, it tells the tale of a zealous young man, Rudi Matt (James MacArthur), who dreams of honoring his father's memory by climbing the mountain that first claimed his life.

Making / Production

The movie was filmed on location in Zermatt, Switzerland and at a studio in London, and was the first of four films that director Ken Annakin made for Disney. Pre-release publicity included two climbers repeating the ascent of the Matterhorn via the Zmutt Ridge, this time with Disney cameras to film them.

Actors

• James MacArthur: He played Rudi Matt, a passionate young man determined to conquer the dangerous Citadel mountain and does a great job in showcasing the character's determination and spirit.
• Michael Rennie: Rennie plays Captain John Winter, a seasoned climber unafraid of tackling dangerous peaks. His brilliant portrayal combined assurance and mentorship.
• Janet Munro: Portrayed the role of Lizbeth Hempel, who is smitten with Rudi. Her performance charmingly captured the character's sprightly and supportive nature.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was made in CinemaScope and directed by Ken Annakin.
• The Matterhorn served as the film's setting and was also the inspiration for the Matterhorn Bobsleds ride at Disneyland.
• Third Man on the Mountain was one of the final movies Walt Disney produced himself.

Awards

Despite its impressive location shooting and thrilling climbing scenes, the film didn't receive any known awards.

Quotes

• "If a man wants to eat gelati, that is no reason to become a mountaineer." - Captain John Winter
• "You can't conquer a mountain, Rudi. Mountains can't be conquered." - Frau Matt
• "Look at me, Rudi. I went once; I'm alive. Your father went once; he's dead" - Teo Zurbriggen

Music and Soundtrack

• The film's inspiring orchestral score was created by composer William Alwyn.
• The title theme, "Climb the Highest Mountain," was recorded by Annette Funicello.