Beginning his career in the editorial department at Paramount Pictures, Jerry Hopper got his first directorial break in 1946 by working on several installments of their Musical Parade short film series. He soon ascended to feature film directing with The Atomic City (1952) but had his most notable success with working with Charlton Heston on three films from 1953 to 1955; right in the middle of that time period came Secret of the Incas. Previously released on Region Free Blu-ray by Imprint, Kino has licensed the movie from Paramount for its latest Blu-ray release.
The Production: 4/5
Though making his living as a tour guide in Cusco, Peru, American adventurer Harry Steele (Charlton Heston) longs to discover the lost Inca treasure known as the Starburst. While he has the information that can lead him to the Sunburst’s location in Machu Picchu, he lacks the means of travel to reach it. Enter Romanian defector Elena Antonescu (Nicole Maurey), whose own desire to reach America is used by Harry as the means to reach Machu Picchu and find the Sunburst. However, Harry has to deal with not only his dubious treasure hunting associate Ed Morgan (Thomas Mitchell), but also a growing attraction to Elena, who’s also the object of infatuation of the archaeological expedition’s lead doctor, Stanley Moorehead (Robert Young).
One of the more underrated adventures of the 1950’s, Secret of the Incas is remembered today more for its influence on a later blockbuster movie. That’s because the outfit that Harry Steele wears – fedora, long brown jacket, tan pants and an over-the-shoulder bag to go with a revolver – was later referenced for Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and its subsequent sequels; however, this movie should be remembered for more than just being an influence on modern day pop culture. For instance, the movie was the first Hollywood production to be shot on location in Peru as well as the first to film at the archaeological site of Machu Picchu (something that cannot be done today for obvious reasons). Also, while the movie does bear some similarities tone wise to Raiders, the main character here has more of a sleaziness compared to Indy; a lot of this is due to Charlton Heston’s performance here, which would give a hint to the more cynical characters he would play later on in his career. In the end, Secret of the Incas is a solid escapist adventure that not only provided inspiration for a later movie franchise, but also stands on its own as a unique entry in the adventure genre of movies in the 1950’s.
The aforementioned Heston – who took over for the originally cast Wendell Corey in the lead – may be the star of the show here, but the contributions of the supporting players should not be overlooked either. Nicole Maurey – following the positive critical response to Little Boy Lost (1953), replacing the originally cast Viveca Lindfors in the process – brings elegance and glamour to the part of the Romanian defector that Harry falls in love with; she would make a few more films in America before returning to Europe in the 1960’s. As the head of the archaeological expedition in Machu Picchu, Robert Young – replacing Corey when he dropped out of the production altogether prior to filming – is decent in his final feature film; he, of course, would still remain in the spotlight with the success of the TV series Father Knows Best. Cast against type as the scheming older adventurer, Thomas Mitchell makes for a charming yet no less oily villain; he would appear in only a handful of movies after this one, but television and the theatre would keep him busy until his death in 1962. Rounding out the cast here are Glenda Farrell as the American tourist that Harry has his eyes on prior to Elena, Leon Askin as the Romanian official who fails to retrieve Elena, Yma Sumac as the priestess Kori-Tika, Michael Pate as Pachacutec, Kurt Katch as the man who tries to “persuade” Harry with a rifle, Edward Colmans as Col. Cardoza and uncredited appearances from Booth Colman (as Juan Fernandez), Martin Garralaga (as Dr. Perez), Grandon Rhodes (as Mr. Winston), Alvy Moore (as the young man at the bar) and Marion Ross (the future Mrs. Cunningham of TV’s Happy Days) as a fellow American tourist.
Video: 4.5/5
3D Rating: NA
This release presents the movie in its original 1:85:1 aspect ratio, taken from a brand new HD transfer created for this Blu-ray release, taken from a 4K scan by Paramount Pictures of the original 35mm camera negative. Film grain and fine details appears to be faithfully represented with no registry errors; however, the color palette here appears to be a little muted compared to other Blu-ray releases of Paramount’s Technicolor productions of the era – which are noted for their deeply saturated hues – but nothing that’s considered deal breaking here. Overall, this Blu-ray release still looks great for its age and is likely the best the movie will ever look on home video.
Audio: 5/5
The film’s original mono soundtrack is presented on a DTS-HD Master Audio track for this release. Dialogue, sound mix and David Buttolph’s music score are all presented faithfully with only minor cases of distortion, crackling, popping and hissing present. Overall, this release is likely the best the movie will ever sound on home video.
Special Features: 3/5
Commentary by film historian Toby Roan –Â Recorded for this release, Roan goes over the movie’s production background and the bios of the cast and crew; he does cut his track short at the film’s climax, so just a heads up.
Bonus KLSC Trailers –Â Touch of Evil, The Big Country, Night Passage, Thunder Bay, Against All Flags &Â Naked Alibi
Overall: 4/5
While understandably noted for its impact and influence on the Indiana Jones movie franchise, Secret of the Incas is still one of the more underrated movies of the 1950’s that can stand on its own merits. Kino has done another quality job here, with a solid HD transfer as well as providing an informative commentary track as a special feature. Very highly recommended.
Secret of the Incas (Special Edition)
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Mychal has been on the Home Theater Forum’s reviewing staff since 2018, with reviews numbering close to 300. During this time, he has also been working as an assistant manager at The Cotton Patch – his family’s fabric and quilting supplies business in Keizer, Oregon. When not working at reviewing movies or working at the family business, he enjoys exploring the Oregon Coast, playing video games and watching baseball in addition to his expansive collection of movies on DVD, Blu-ray and UHD, totalling over 3,000 movies.
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