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Amazon.co.uk Review
It’s taken far too long for one of the finest children’s television programmes of the 1980s to make its journey to DVD, but thanks to this superb six-disc set, all 39 episodes of The Mysterious Cities Of Gold are finally available. And time has been very kind to it.
Don’t remember it? Then at the very least, the theme tune is bound to stick (it’s easily one of the best title tracks ever). But if you’re one of the many who were charmed by this ambitious, epic adventure, then the return of The Mysterious Cities Of Gold will be very good news indeed. Set in the 1532, it follows Esteban on his search to find out the truth about his father, and also on the epic quest to find the cities of the show’s title. Joined by Zia and Tao, and fighting against Gomez and Gaspard, it’s a weaving, engrossing story, that fully justifies its sizeable running time.
What’s more, The Mysterious Cities Of Gold holds up incredibly well. The animation may look a little dated, but it harks back to a time in the 1980s when ambitious programmes such as these were filling the childrens’ TV schedules. And this was the best of the lot. With a darkness and edge that you simply wouldn’t expect, it’s a gripping tale, expertly told.
Further icing the cake, the DVD set that The Mysterious Cities Of Gold arrives on is nothing short of majestic, bursting with interesting features and a real care and attention that befits the programme itself. Which goes to make this collection something really very special indeed, not only bringing back a genuine classic from the archives, but doing it with a style that others would do well to match. Brilliant. --Simon Brew
DVD Description
In the year 1532, a Spanish orphan named Esteban joins a party of Spaniards in their search for one of The Seven Cities of Gold in the New World, hoping to find his father. He is joined on his quest by Zia, an Incan girl, and Tao, the last descendant of the sunken empire of Mu ("Hiva" in the English dub). The series is a mix of ancient South American history, archaeology, and science fiction. Esteban, Zia, and Tao encounter the Mayans, Inca, and Olmecs during their journey. The characters discover many lost technological wonders of the Mu Empire, including a solar powered ship (the Solaris) and The Golden Condor, a huge solar-powered would-be ornithopter (mechanical bird), capable of traveling considerable distances under the sun's power alone. They are constantly pursued by antagonists Gomez and Gaspard, who are also in search of the Cities of Gold. It is the 16th century. From all over Europe great ships sale west to conquer the New World, the Americas. These men eager to seek their fortune, to find new adventures in new lands. They long to cross uncharted seas and discover unknown countries. To find secret gold on a mountain trail high in the Andes. They dream of following the path of the setting sun that leads to Eldorado, and the Mysterious Cities Of Gold.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
"Mysterious Cities of Gold" on DVD! Who'd have thought? I remember being at uni in 2000 and having to watch the episodes in RealPlayer format as nobody knew who held the copyright to the series! To whoever sorted out the copyright mess, THANK YOU.
This is a box set that has been lovingly put together. Nothing is lacking, they've put everything in here that you could possibly want, including the hilarious moment when Philip Schofield and Gordon the Gopher sang along to the theme tune (which I remember from the first time around).
Some cartoon series don't hold up to adult viewing but this one does. Apart from the interesting factual clips at the end of each episode, the series does not skip over the darker side of history and the characters actually have some depth. But I know I'm preaching to the choir. Buy it, treasure it, show your kids how cartoons used to be made.
This is a box set that has been lovingly put together. Nothing is lacking, they've put everything in here that you could possibly want, including the hilarious moment when Philip Schofield and Gordon the Gopher sang along to the theme tune (which I remember from the first time around).
Some cartoon series don't hold up to adult viewing but this one does. Apart from the interesting factual clips at the end of each episode, the series does not skip over the darker side of history and the characters actually have some depth. But I know I'm preaching to the choir. Buy it, treasure it, show your kids how cartoons used to be made.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have to say that when I originally watched this cartoon around 20 years ago, I became absolutely hooked. I couldn't believe how good it was. That was the general consensus of most people who watched it, it really was compulsive viewing!
Now having purchased it from HMV & watched it, it's even better than I remember it. The visuals are stunning & the music adds to the feel of the cartoon better than any other I have ever seen, but the storyline is what really hooks you.
I would have to describe this as a 'what if'. What if Eldorado really existed? What if there really was a city of Gold built by an advanced ancient civilisation? This is the cartoon that explores this thesis. Heavily based on historical fact, this combines it with a fantasy element, though not so much as to make it ridiculously unbelievable (as many other programmes and films have), rather it serves to educate the viewer in a mature & entertaining way. Combined with a historical piece at the end of each episode, it teaches you many things you were unaware of.
Okay, so nothing is perfect and it does have one or two flaws. The most obvious one being the dialogue. Sometimes it does indeed come across that the characters are reading from a script because the tone is somewhat fast and flat at times and I noticed that on occasions the characters will be walking single-file at a distance of about 50 or so feet and the last in line appears to hear what the first is saying, but that is soon forgotten in the brilliance of the piece.
Overall though it is a stunning piece of animation and the message that comes across over & over again during the 39 episodes is that love & compassion should always take presidence over greed & self interest. In a word, Unmissable!
Now having purchased it from HMV & watched it, it's even better than I remember it. The visuals are stunning & the music adds to the feel of the cartoon better than any other I have ever seen, but the storyline is what really hooks you.
I would have to describe this as a 'what if'. What if Eldorado really existed? What if there really was a city of Gold built by an advanced ancient civilisation? This is the cartoon that explores this thesis. Heavily based on historical fact, this combines it with a fantasy element, though not so much as to make it ridiculously unbelievable (as many other programmes and films have), rather it serves to educate the viewer in a mature & entertaining way. Combined with a historical piece at the end of each episode, it teaches you many things you were unaware of.
Okay, so nothing is perfect and it does have one or two flaws. The most obvious one being the dialogue. Sometimes it does indeed come across that the characters are reading from a script because the tone is somewhat fast and flat at times and I noticed that on occasions the characters will be walking single-file at a distance of about 50 or so feet and the last in line appears to hear what the first is saying, but that is soon forgotten in the brilliance of the piece.
Overall though it is a stunning piece of animation and the message that comes across over & over again during the 39 episodes is that love & compassion should always take presidence over greed & self interest. In a word, Unmissable!
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This show was produced in the year I was born, and was one of the shows that stood out from my childhood.
Even twenty years after watching it I could still sing the themesong!
So when I saw that there was a DVD release of this show, that I had seen hide nor hair of since the 80s ended, I hit the the 'add to basket' button faster than the speed of light!
And when I recieved the boxset I was certainly NOT disappointed.
The series itself is successful because of it's memorable characters, it's intelligent and thought out storyline and it's willingness to break the barriers of children's TV and create a show that appeals to a wider audience. Due to it's lingering popularity with the original fans of this show (and the recent trend of 80s animation making cult comebacks), Fabulous Films could have probably gotten away with throwing all the episodes on DVDs and leaving it at that.
But this boxset is well packaged, comes with a lovely information book and every disc comes with some bonus materials (including missing scenes, concept art, interviews etc.). It's been lovingly restored (even though nothing short of complete reproduction is going to make the 28 year old animation look perfect, it still looks great to watch) and the sound and music sound wonderful, too.
So I not only have to congratulate the original production staff for creating a great series but I also have to congratulate Fabulous Films for producing a fantastic release.
Even twenty years after watching it I could still sing the themesong!
So when I saw that there was a DVD release of this show, that I had seen hide nor hair of since the 80s ended, I hit the the 'add to basket' button faster than the speed of light!
And when I recieved the boxset I was certainly NOT disappointed.
The series itself is successful because of it's memorable characters, it's intelligent and thought out storyline and it's willingness to break the barriers of children's TV and create a show that appeals to a wider audience. Due to it's lingering popularity with the original fans of this show (and the recent trend of 80s animation making cult comebacks), Fabulous Films could have probably gotten away with throwing all the episodes on DVDs and leaving it at that.
But this boxset is well packaged, comes with a lovely information book and every disc comes with some bonus materials (including missing scenes, concept art, interviews etc.). It's been lovingly restored (even though nothing short of complete reproduction is going to make the 28 year old animation look perfect, it still looks great to watch) and the sound and music sound wonderful, too.
So I not only have to congratulate the original production staff for creating a great series but I also have to congratulate Fabulous Films for producing a fantastic release.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
80's nostalgia!
Oh wow!! I remember watching this, no, being hooked on this when I was a child! Watching it again now, I know why! Read more
Published 15 days ago by Miss K. Brown
A treasure to see those dvds!
I grew up with those cartoons, and what a marvel to find them at last on dvd! Wonderful, no need for any other comments! Read more
Published 24 days ago by C. Pechabadens
the mysterious cities of gold
a very brilant animation cartoon each episode allways seamed to end quite happly yet it allso seamed to lead onto the next episode with them searching for the next lost citie of... Read more
Published 1 month ago by terry
fantastic
Fantastic my 4 and 6 year old love it, it has really captured their imagination. It makes you realise quite how dull and dumbed down the current programs are
Published 3 months ago by m ward
DVD Review The Mysterious Cities Of Gold
I loved this series and had to get it on DVD. Highly Recommended. It was exactly as I remembered it when I watched it as a child. Read more
Published 5 months ago by G
I dream of following the path of the setting sun, that leads to El...
This is one of the shows that I remember best from my childhood. Intelligent, well written and exciting. Read more
Published 10 months ago by doc
Excellent Service! Brilliant Box Set
The box set arrived within the time specified, well packaged. The box set was in excellent condition. I would highly recommend this item.
Published 10 months ago by Jenny Belfast
mysterious cities of gold
I used to watch this with my son when he was a small boy and didnt realise it was on dvd. I have watched a couple of discs but then took it to my son to watch. Read more
Published 15 months ago by dilly
MCOG - Reunited at last
Wow! I can't believe that I found this DVD, and it's the entire lot too. I have sat watched them all now, and it brought so many memories back to me from when I can remember... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Matthew
Surprised
I was surprised to find this cartoon here. So do not think twice about buying because I know I made an excellent purchase.
Thankxxxx
Ailton Sousa
Thankxxxx
Ailton Sousa
Published 16 months ago
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