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Mysterious Cities Of Gold - Complete Series


RRP: £54.99
Our Price: £39.97 (subject to change)

Editorial
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

Editorial
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.
Editorial
Synopsis

Set in the 16th Century, the kids programme THE MYSTERIOUS CITIES OF GOLD follows the adventures of Spanish child Esteban as he travels round the Americas to discover various Cities of Gold. He is joined on his quest by Incan girl Zia and Tao, the last descendent of his race.

"Children of the sun...." (now all sing along!)
Review date: 2008-08-02 Rating: 10 out of 10

This was essential viewing as a child of the 80s. Think it was shown on a Friday afternoon. Straight from school to sit and watch this.

The theme tune is unforgettable (and for me one of the more memorable bits apart from the Condor) and adds to the collection of theme tunes from all these very long 80s cartoons children on the 80s seem to love.

I haven't bought the box set as I'm not sure I have time to sit through it! But who knows, maybe sometime I will want to remember...

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Reviews


Cities of Gold
Review date: 2008-07-30 Rating: 10 out of 10

This series comes from the 80's and has a mix of information and entertainment a bit like He-Man and She-Ra.

This is every episode spread over 6 discs with tons of extras interviews with stars and creaters.

In this boxset you get many extras and not only on the discs in the box is two booklets, three postcards & fold out poster double sided.

The cartoon is a great for the price and hasn't really dated as it was already set in the past you learn as you enjoy a great cartoon it follows the adventures of three children:-

Esteban:- A Spainsh orphan who can seemly can bring out the sun.

Zia:- An Inca girl kidnapped for her people and land now under spanish control.

Tao:- Is the last descendent of a lost empire known as Hiva which had the same fate as Atlantis and Tao believes hold secerts about his heritage.

They face many adventures while searching for The Mysterious Cities Of Gold.

Buy this great show and enjoy.





Oh wow!!
Review date: 2008-05-25 Rating: 10 out of 10

Wow wow wow!! I absolutely loved this when I was younger and I can't wait until it's delivered! Already have the theme tune as my rington!! I'm almost 3 months pregnant and will definitely be watching this with the little one when he/she is born! Super!

The best Cartoon Series you're ever likely to watch
Review date: 2008-05-22 Rating: 10 out of 10

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!

I thought this would never happen
Review date: 2008-05-21 Rating: 10 out of 10

"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.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Mahito Tsujimura
Sachiko Saitô
Tesshô Genda
Rokurô Naya
Tomoko Ai

Creators:
Tomoko Ai (Primary Contributor)
Sachiko Saitô (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Fabulous Films Ltd.
Manufacturer: Fabulous Films Ltd.
EAN: 5030697010865
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 6
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-06-23
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 1120 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)

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