Generational linkage Campbell’s Kingdom is the fourth collaboration between director Ralph Thomas and actor Dirk Bogard. Before that, they worked together on a popular series of comedy films about The Doctor. This time, Thomas took on serious material. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Hammond Innes and tells the story of a young man named Bruce Campbell, who intends to restore the good name of his suddenly deceased grandfather. He comes from England to the Rocky Mountains to settle in the old man's estate, in the so-called "Kingdom of Campbell", which he inherited. Here in the mountain air away from people, he planned to quietly wait for death, because according to the doctors, he had only six months to live. But after staying in this place for a short time, he began to suspect that the death of his grandfather was not an accident. And he's going to investigate. In this he is assisted by a girl named Jean and geologist Michael, who previously conducted a study of rocks for the possible finding of oil. When Bruce's suspicions are confirmed, he is not going to leave the case and for no money agrees to sell the land. He embarks on a kind of adventure, sparked by the idea of finding oil, which was obsessed with old Campbell. Why not? He still has nothing to lose, but he can prove to everyone that his grandfather was not a fraud.
The main conflict arises between Bruce and a man named Morgan (Stanley Baker, whom Bogard will see on the set of “The Accident” Lowsey), who has a huge influence among the residents of the town and is capable of crime to achieve his goals. The latter builds a dam, and Campbell (first senior, now junior) stands in his way with his search for oil. As you know, it is impossible to flood its places.
This film is about debt, redemption (Jean, as it turns out, is trying to atone for the sins of his father, who stole the money of the villagers and ran away, setting up old Campbell), and a bit about love (how about without it?). However, the love line is only planned, since the characters think that they still will not be together. There is even some semblance of a love triangle (Bruce-Jean-Michael), but Bruce and Michael are not rivals, because Jean does not love Michael, and Bruce thinks that he can not give this girl anything.
In the finale, justice triumphs, evil in the face of greedy Morgan is punished, Bruce learns that he still has plenty of time, and we can only guess how the lives of the main characters and the whole town will change.
I am still tormented by the question: if Bruce did not think that he was terminally ill and had only 6 months to live, would he then take up the business of his late grandfather, risking at every step?
The film fascinates not only with mountain beauty, but also with the acting of Bogard, who managed to accurately convey the character of the main character. Without him, the picture would hardly have been of any value for moviegoers, although the plot is quite interesting, filmed quite beautifully and exciting, as for 1957.
9 out of 10