Hatari! (1962)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Truly Dreadful Film

Fresh and Exciting

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

"Hatari!" is one of those films they just don't make anymore. In this case, they couldn't; this film is probably much too leisurely and lacking in dramatic conflict to succeed with today's audiences. But if you are prepared to settle down for 157 minutes, "Hatari!" can entertain you. It has lots of magnificent animal footage, exciting action scenes, funny comedy, and predictable romance (well, it's not all predictable: the "comic relief" gets one of the girls). John Wayne is in a pleasingly relaxed and easygoing mood (he's not afraid to let others walk over his macho image), and the entire (ethnically diverse) cast develops a nice camaraderie. The fact that it was filmed on location also helps a lot. Parts of Henry Mancini's music score will be instantly recognizable even to people who watch the film for the first time! *** out of 4.

John Wayne plays his usual rollicking tough-but-big-hearted role to the nth degree is this rather over-long but engaging film.I have no idea how animals are obtained for a zoo but I can believe that the activities presented here are a reasonable representation of how it may have been done. If so, then wow. I'm glad someone has the nerve to do it, but I think I'll stay inside the air-conditioned safari bus - or maybe at home.The animal chase and catch scenes are extraordinary. The rhinos look a little undersized (perhaps juveniles) but they are most definitely real - and real mad. No CGI here, this is the true deal. Supposedly "hatari" is the Swahili word for danger and if so these guys are in hatari up to their necks doing this job.The characters are all fun, likable and well-portrayed. The lines are good and the interaction appears genuine. The multitude of nationalities all ending up in the same place in the middle of nowhere adds an air of wanderlust and romance to the nitty-gritty work and environment.The current atmosphere regarding animal rights would never allow for this movie to be shown widely in America today. There would be a thick protective coating of PETA members surrounding any theater daring to try. They might have a point though, the way these animals are rounded up, confined and sent off to who knows where is enough to provoke uncertainty in the most cold-hearted of us.A long movie for sure, but it moves along quite well and few of the scenes seem unnecessary or out of place. Definitely worth a look if for nothing other than the animal scenes.

Director Howard Hawks re-teams with John Wayne, who heads a cast that also includes Hardy Kruger, Red Buttons, and Bruce Cabot, who play animal wranglers in Africa who capture wild animals(like Elephants, Lions, and the elusive Rhinos) for various zoos who are willing to pay for their exclusive services, in order to display these magnificent creatures in captivity. These men, when they aren't hunting, are fighting, drinking, and gambling, as well as pursuing women, which now includes a Swiss photographer who has just arrived to take pictures of the men, and their hunting, when she isn't taking care of baby elephants...Bloated film that was likely more fun to make than it is to watch, since animal lovers like myself will be less than enthralled by the capture of wild animals who should instead be protected in their environment! Though nicely filmed, even amiable to a point, it cannot overcome this inherent problem.

This is what family films are all about. A piece of my childhood as I watch this film for who knows how many times. A lot of fun and some great action photography. This is a movie worth watching.The cast is pretty cool a well. It's hard to believe that this film was made more than 50 years ago. It still holds up as one of the better fun/action movies. Most of the cast has long since passed away but to see them in their younger years is still a treat. The movie really doesn't have a serious plot but that doesn't take away from the fun. It's a two hour plus movie but you are never bored. The animals at times actually steals the show. Give it a look-see. You won't be sorry.