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Safari

  • 1956
  • Approved
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
754
YOUR RATING
Safari (1956)
Adventure

During the Mau Mau Uprising in British Kenya in the 1950s, settler-hunter Ken Duffield is a hired to guide a lion-hunting-party, but he also hopes to find the Mau Mau rebel who killed his fa... Read allDuring the Mau Mau Uprising in British Kenya in the 1950s, settler-hunter Ken Duffield is a hired to guide a lion-hunting-party, but he also hopes to find the Mau Mau rebel who killed his family.During the Mau Mau Uprising in British Kenya in the 1950s, settler-hunter Ken Duffield is a hired to guide a lion-hunting-party, but he also hopes to find the Mau Mau rebel who killed his family.

  • Director
    • Terence Young
  • Writers
    • Anthony Veiller
    • Robert Buckner
    • Bob Monkhouse
  • Stars
    • Victor Mature
    • Janet Leigh
    • John Justin
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.6/10
    754
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Terence Young
    • Writers
      • Anthony Veiller
      • Robert Buckner
      • Bob Monkhouse
    • Stars
      • Victor Mature
      • Janet Leigh
      • John Justin
    • 26User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos25

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    Top cast23

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    Victor Mature
    Victor Mature
    • Ken Duffield
    Janet Leigh
    Janet Leigh
    • Linda Latham
    John Justin
    John Justin
    • Brian Sinden
    Roland Culver
    Roland Culver
    • Sir Vincent Brampton
    Liam Redmond
    Liam Redmond
    • Roy Shaw
    Earl Cameron
    Earl Cameron
    • Jeroge
    Orlando Martins
    Orlando Martins
    • Jerusalem
    Juma
    • Odongo
    Lionel Ngakane
    • Makora
    Harry Quashie
    • O'Keefe
    Slim Harris
    • Renegade
    Cy Grant
    • Chief Massai
    John Wynn
    • Charley
    Arthur Lovegrove
    • Blake
    Estelle Brody
    • Aunty May
    Christopher Warbey
    • Kenny
    John Harrison
    • Wambui
    Glyn Lawson
    • Kikuyu
    • Director
      • Terence Young
    • Writers
      • Anthony Veiller
      • Robert Buckner
      • Bob Monkhouse
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews26

    5.6754
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    Featured reviews

    8coltras35

    Safari

    A man who poses as a safari leader in order to seek revenge against the Mau Mau rebels who murdered his son. Hired to guide a jungle expedition by an eccentric millionaire, he finds himself drawn in to a romantic relationship with his client's beautiful fiancee.

    Cecil B. DeMille called Mature "100% yellow - the greatest coward ever born," and even in this colourful action-adventure film he was reluctant to go into the water due to crocodiles, which is strange as filming in Kenya back then with a Mau Mau uprising was dangerous. He, along with other Sterling cast, were taking a risk.

    Basking in Technicolor, Safari is a solid jungle film, the kind they don't make anymore. The action is quite gritty and exciting. There's some good tension and good characters like the one played by Ronald Culver, a cold-blooded rich man intent to notch a big lion kill as his trophy. But it's Victor Mature who really impresses as the safari leader with an modi operandi to lead an entourage in to an area where Mau Mau terrorists are around. The reason are explained in the first twenty minutes - far from wooden, Mature expresses anguish just by that look in his eyes. He was always better actor than he has been made out. There's a 007 connection as Terence Young directed it and Albert Broccolli co-produced.
    6ma-cortes

    Adventure/vengeance movie dealing with the Mau Mau violent rebellion in Kenya , well set in the Fifties

    Wealthy eccentric Sir Vincent Brampton (Roland Culver) , his fiancée Linda Latham and her brother (John Justin) hire the very expert professional hunter Ken Duffield (Victor Mature) . As he agrees to take Sir Vincent Brampton and his young sweetheart Linda Latham (Janet Leigh) on a safari. However , Duffield is actually looking for the murderers of his son who was killed by Kenyan Mau Mau rebels and one in particular , Jeroge , who used to work for him . But then things go wrong , as Vincent is really jealous to the growing affection between Duffield and his girlfriend Linda . Murderous Mau-Mau! Maddened Beasts! Mighty Jungle Love! Filmed Under Military Protectioin Africa's Mau-Mau Country! Love in an Inferno .This is the real Mau-Mau Story! Today's reign of TERROR filmed in Africa! Their love defied primitive jungle laws! White Heat Explodes in Green Hell!

    A moving drama/adventure movie with nice mood , it is a rich , robust and colorful picture , a hell-for-leather stuff . However , being full of transparency with the animals out acting the cast . One of several lively , all-action , color de luxe adventures produced by Britain's Warwick films , in this production company usually played Robert Taylor and Victor Mature as stars in the late Fiifties . The plot is simple and light , wealthy hunters hire Mature to lead them on a jungle hunt : an enormous lion , while Victor seeking for vengeance and they continue up country closer and closer to rebel territory, they both get closer to achieving their aims . It also depicts Mau Mau terror , as the tension , intrigue and suspense mantain a real grip across . Along the way , the film reflects the way in which Mau Mau divided two communities , both African and British . In "Safari" anyway , neither White Men , nor African people are necessarily the heroes , but both of them share the guilt of the distresses . In fact, the attitude of the colonials and the Africans are both very partially portrayed , the reason for ¨Safari¨ is more an adventure/thriller movie than a historical film . There are other films about ¨Mau Mau¨ , such as ¨Something of value¨(1957) by Richard Brooks ,with Rock Hudson , Sidney Poitier , William Marshall , this is by far the best film about the Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya along with ¨Simba¨by Brian Desmond Hurst with Dick Bogarde , Donald Sinden , Virginia McKenna , this was British forerunner of Richard Brook's work . The usually wooden Mature plays an obstinate hunter whose real goal is to locate the Mau Mau to exact a relentless vendetta . Mature became one of Hollywood's busiest and most popular actors after the war, though rarely was he given the critical respect he often deserved. His roles in John Ford's My darling Clementine (1946) and in Henry Hathaway's Kiss of the death (1947) were among his finest work, though he moved more and more frequently into more exotic roles in films like Samson y Delilah (1949) and Sinuhe, the Egyptian (1954). Never an energetic actor nor one of great artistic pretensions, he nevertheless continued as a Hollywood stalwart both in programme and in more prominent films like The Robe (1953). More interested in golf than acting, his appearances diminished through the 1960s, but he made a stunning comeback of sorts in a hilarious romp as a very Victor Mature-like actor in Neil Simon's Zorro (1966). He eventually took over his activities and, after a cameo as Samson's father in a TV remake of his own "Samson and Delilah" (Sansón y Dalila (1984) , he retired for good . He is well accompanied by the gorgeous Janet Leigh and excellent support cast such as : Roland Culver as a wealthy man whose only obsession: to shoot a famed lion that no one else has yet managed to track down and John Justin as the faithful brother . The ambient of the country at the time is pretty well shown accompanied by an atmospheric and brilliant cinematography by John Wilcox , as well as thrilling musical score by William Alwyn . Being shot on location in Nairobi National Park, and Nairobi , Kenya . Being produced by the notorious producers Irving Allen and the famous Albert R Broccoli who subsequently to finance the successful James Bond series . The motion picture was decently directed by Terence Young .

    Based on historical events as the Mau Mau Uprising (1952-1960), also known as the Mau Mau Rebellion, the Kenya Emergency, and the Mau Mau Revolt, was a war in the British Kenya Colony (1920-1963) between the Kenya Land and Freedom Army (KLFA), also known as Mau Mau, and the British authorities. Executing indiscriminate killings of women, children, and those who will not join or agree with them . Dominated by the Kikuyu people, Meru people and Embu people, the KLFA also comprised units of Kamba and Maasai peoples who fought against the white European colonist-settlers in Kenya, the British Army, and the local Kenya Regiment (British colonists, local auxiliary militia, and pro-British Kikuyu people).The capture of rebel leader Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi on 21 October 1956 signed the defeat of the Mau Mau.
    Kirpianuscus

    support for memories

    at the first sigh, nothing different by many adventure films from the same period. the love story, the animals, the Manichean distinction between characters, all is well known. but the difference is made by a lot of details. one - Victor Mature , who did a good job in a role who seems be perfect for him. in same measure, Janet Leigh in a fragile, delicate and powerful young woman portrait. and, sure, Mau Mau attacks, Earl Cameron giving a splendid portrait of the general. in rest - animals and lovely characters and the portrait of Africa , seductive and full of childhood references for the generations behind smartphone era.
    wgie

    Vic Was Afraid To Go Into The Water....And Who Could Blame Him!

    Standard action film of the 1950's directed by future-to-be James Bond film director, Terrance Young. Victor Mature and Janet Leigh turn in solid performances in one of Mature's better action films during the 1950's. Mature is the great white hunter bent on revenge against the Mau Maus, and Leigh the love interest he takes on Safari. In her autobiography, actress Janet Leigh revealed the following story regarding her experience with actor Mature and Director Young. Director Terrance Young somehow talked both stars, Janet Leigh and Victor Mature, into doing the film. Apparently, the good natured Mature enjoyed playing golf and chasing women more than making movies, and he balked at the idea of going to Africa to shoot the film. Vic wanted to shoot the film on one of Hollywood's back lots while Director Terrence Young insisted on the realism and danger that only the jungle could afford. During the filming of "Safari" Vic was told that he had to run into a lake to rescue the heroine (Leigh). He immediately refused. Director Young demanded to know why he refused to do the scene. Vic told him that "There could be crocodiles in the water!" Young immediately called over the film's Great White Hunter film consultant to explain the situation to him. The Guide laughed and said, "Of course, there are crocodiles in the water....but you don't have to worry, Mr. Mature. I'll fire a couple shots off my rifle an hour or so before the scene, and all the crocks in the area will leave...in fact they will be miles away when we shoot the scene." Dumbfounded by the information, Vic asked, "Why would they leave the area when you fire your rifle?" The Hunter responded, "Because the crocks have sensitive ears...much more sensitive than we humans...and they will leave the area." Vic continued to refuse to shoot the scene. Frustrated, Director Young, demanded to know why Vic would not shoot the scene. Finally Vic responded by saying, "What if one of the crocodiles just happens to be deaf!" Eventually, a terrified Victor Mature gave in to Director Young's demands, and timidly entered the water while actress Janet Leigh nervously watched nearby.
    8elephant_range

    Where's the DVD?

    A real big-screen picture, but I can only imagine... Even on my ancient Beta videocassette taped circa 1983, the Technicolor treatment amazes! Yes, there is a lot of stock footage there, but what scenery! The chase scenes, including elephants, tribal Kikuyu warriors, and the entire main cast, are so well put together as to make the transitions transparent. Much of 'Safari' has the feel of a spaghetti western, but its authenticity is never in doubt.

    My only complaint is that of historical inaccuracy, since the Mau-Mau revolt (and characterization) is only viewed from the side of the Brits. If you can get past that issue enough to treat this purely as an action film.

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    Related interests

    Still frame
    Adventure

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Roland Culver's voice was dubbed throughout, as was John Justin's.
    • Goofs
      When Ken reaches down to pick up Linda after she goes down the river in the raft, his rifle sling slips down around his arm. When the scene cuts to him walking on shore, his rifle sling is back up around his shoulder.
    • Quotes

      Ken Duffield: He got away this time but I'll get that filthy scum if it's the last thing I ever do!

    • Connections
      Featured in Discovering Film: Janet Leigh (2015)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 20, 1956 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Der König der Safari
    • Filming locations
      • Kenya
    • Production company
      • Warwick Film Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 30m(90 min)
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.55 : 1

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