A controversial film when first released in 1956 for using the Mau Mau uprising as a background for a Victor Mature adventure.Fifty six years later with the gift of hindsight the film can be viewed from a modern perspective.The Mau Mau,once considered terrorists,are now seen as freedom fighters.The truth is somewhere in the middle.Atrocities were committed by both sides.In disputes like this it is always the innocent who suffer.While Safari condemns the Mau Mau as cold blooded killers, in a slightly condescending way it emphasizes that most Kenyans are decent loyal citizens.The film should be viewed as a product of its time with the attitudes and sensibilities of the period.What is more controversial today is its glorification of big game hunting. Victor Mature plays big game hunter Ken Duffield who comes back from a safari to find that his family,including his son,have been massacred by the Mau Mau led by one of his house servants,a very harrowing scene.For his own safety his big game licence is revoked.Sitting in a bar in Nairobi drowning his sorrows he is approached by millionaire aristocrat Sir Vincent Brampton (Ronald Culver) who is accompanied by his dogsbody Brian Sinden (John Justin).Sir Vincent is obsessed with shooting a man eating lion called Hatari.He is an obnoxious money will buy anything type who gets Duffield's licence restored so he can lead the expedition. Duffield sees it as an opportunity to get his revenge on the Mau Mau.Also going along for the ride is Brampton's "fiance" Linda Latham,played by the delectable Janet Leigh. It is a long journey in which Duffield finds peace of mind and justice not vengeance is served.The successful outcome is due in no small part to the young native lad Adongo played by Juma, and the head boy Jerusalem played by Orlando Martins,a cheerful trumpet playing character,just the sort of bloke you want by your side in a fight. Victor Mature once stated that he was no actor and he had over seventy films to prove it.Come on Vic, in adventure and biblical films you had a certain monolythic grandeur and unlike Charlton Heston you never took yourself too seriously. Ronald Culver and John Justin are British thespians of the old school who have a look of slight bewilderment wondering what they are doing in this film but they are professionals and certainly don't let the side down. Juma and Orlando Martins are also a big asset and talking about big assets Janet Leigh is unbelievably glamorous,her wardrobe is certainly eye catching.Talk about the "Perils of Pauline",whatever her predicament she never looks less than immaculate.She takes the obligatory swim in the river,all in the best possible taste,and her bath scene would raise a few eyebrows.Never less than cheerful she is no shrinking violet always ready to roll her sleeves up and get on with it. A word of praise for Hatari the lion for the best performance in the film.He may have finished up in trophy cabinet but he gets his ten cents worth in first.He certainly makes Sir Vincent wish he had stayed at home. All filmed in glorious technicolor and on location the scenery and wildlife on view is a definite plus.Directed by Terence Young who knows his stuff it compares well with films such as "King Solomon's Mines" and "Mogambo".It is definitely superior to "Beyond Mombasa" which roughly deals with the same subject except the Mau Mau are called Leopard Men.It starred Cornel Wilde who ten years later made probably the greatest African adventure film of all "The Naked Prey".Considering the risqué scenes with Janet Leigh and the harrowing and explicit violence the Censors gave it a "U" certificate,surprisingly "The Naked Prey" got an "A" certificate,today they would be lucky to get a "12" rating. As a last thought John Justin played a character called Brian Sinden,in "Mogambo" Donald Sinden played a similar character.Possibly an "in" joke?
Review of Safari
