Synopsis

Aimed at young audiences, this musical biography combines action, comedy and music to follow explorer Marco Polo's famous journey which opened China for Europe, and his meeting with elderly emperor Kublai Khan.

Characters

Marco Polo, Chontosai, Kuklatoi, Mme. Tung, Kublai Khan, Pitai Brahmas, Sea Captain, Ling Su, Ti Wai, Niccolo Polo, Letanpoing, Lomar, Maffio Polo, Aigiarm

Credits

Voices

Voice: Desi Arnaz Jr (Marco Polo), Van Christie (Chontosai), Aimée Eccles (Kuklatoi), Yuka Kamebuchi (Madame Tung), Zero Mostel (Kublai Khan), Romeo Muller (Pitai Brahmas), Tetsu Nakamura (Sea Captain), Osamu Ohkawa (Ling Su), Masumi Okada (Ti Wai), Fred Sadoff (Niccolo Polo), Mafumi Sakamoto (Letanpoing), Ikio Sawamura (Lomar), Jack Weston (Maffio Polo), Cie Cie Win (Aigiarm)

Music

Music: Maury Laws
Lyrics: Romeo Muller

Crew

Cinematography: Richard R. Nishigaki
Art Director: Shinobu Muraki
Production Designer: Shinobu Muraki
Costume Design: Emi Wada

Production notes

Mixed live action and Animagic. In a 10-minute Animagic scene (introduced by Dezi Arnaz Jr. in live action), Zero Mostel sings "Peace Berries," by Maury Laws and Romeo Muller.

Other Songs: "By Damn" (Aigiarm, Marco Polo, Maffio Polo), "Walls" (Kublai Khan), "A Family Man" (Kublai Khan), "Spaghetti" (Maffio, Marco).

Filmed at Toho Studios and at various locations in the Orient.

Contains very brief nudity (by Cie Cie Win, for what it's worth) and some mild swearing (mostly by Win).