I wanted to stop and take a look at a film which, despite being somewhat of a time capsule, remains today a fascinating viewing (And a personal favorite of mine for 2 of my almost 3 decades as a self-proclaimed film nerd).
Hatari was released in the United States in June of 1962 by Paramount Pictures. It was at the front end of, and definitely stands as one of those massive, epically scaled films of the early 1960s (Cleopatra, anyone?) which are very much representative of the decline of the studio system (which followed soon after).
Hatari was released in the United States in June of 1962 by Paramount Pictures. It was at the front end of, and definitely stands as one of those massive, epically scaled films of the early 1960s (Cleopatra, anyone?) which are very much representative of the decline of the studio system (which followed soon after).
I love Hatari. It was one of the few movies, which wasn’t produced by Disney, to keep a pre-kindergarten me entertained and seated in one spot. This is quite a feat, considering the film's two and a half hour run time.
The film features John Wayne leading an international group of adventurers, tasked with catching animals for American and European zoos from the wilds of Africa. Hatari was directed by noted adventure film-maker, Howard Hawks. Hawks packs the movie with African location work and action photography that stands out opposite much of the work coming out of Hollywood at the same time. Even a trained eye is hard pressed to see that it isn’t John Wayne and Hardy Kruger running around with these (often quite dangerous!) animals. A sequence early in the film involving a rhinoceros is quite harrowing.
As mentioned, the film features a talented international cast. Italian actress Elsa Martinelli, French actor Gerard Blain, and German actor Hardy Kruger are particular stand-outs in the large group of performers.
Watching the film from a contemporary eye , is definitely problematic (to say the least). Entire essays could be written on the topic of race within the film, as well as animal capture sequences which would probably result in contemporary Hollywood productions being shut down. More potentially to come on that.
Hatari has long been a favorite film of mine, and I would definitely look to it if you’re searching for a good (if not old-fashioned) popcorn flick. Despite all of its problems, it’s a fun movie, worthy of checking out.
The film features John Wayne leading an international group of adventurers, tasked with catching animals for American and European zoos from the wilds of Africa. Hatari was directed by noted adventure film-maker, Howard Hawks. Hawks packs the movie with African location work and action photography that stands out opposite much of the work coming out of Hollywood at the same time. Even a trained eye is hard pressed to see that it isn’t John Wayne and Hardy Kruger running around with these (often quite dangerous!) animals. A sequence early in the film involving a rhinoceros is quite harrowing.
As mentioned, the film features a talented international cast. Italian actress Elsa Martinelli, French actor Gerard Blain, and German actor Hardy Kruger are particular stand-outs in the large group of performers.
Watching the film from a contemporary eye , is definitely problematic (to say the least). Entire essays could be written on the topic of race within the film, as well as animal capture sequences which would probably result in contemporary Hollywood productions being shut down. More potentially to come on that.
Hatari has long been a favorite film of mine, and I would definitely look to it if you’re searching for a good (if not old-fashioned) popcorn flick. Despite all of its problems, it’s a fun movie, worthy of checking out.
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