Will Our Heroes Be Able to Find Their Friend Who Has Mysteriously Disappeared in Africa? (1968)

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

It must first be stated that if Ettore Scola were to remake this movie today, it would probably be very different in one regard: it would be careful to feature more fully developed African characters. As it is, the film is only really interested in its (pre-dominantly male) European characters, and can be accused of the same fault that Chinua Achebe laid at the door of Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness' (of which this film is a kind of comic variation), that of using Africa as a mere backdrop to an investigation of European problems. Nevertheless, though the film is undeniably Eurocentric in its outlook, it neither demeans nor patronises Africans; there are no bloodthirsty cannibals, noble savages or grinning simpletons here. Alberto Sordi's protagonist has his preconceptions about the continent undercut in several amusing scenes, most neatly when he first arrives, and proceeds to film the 'exotic' locals, only to be disconcerted when he realises that he himself is being filmed by an African armed with a bigger, more expensive camera; Sordi's outlandish safari gear renders him as much of an object of amazed curiosity to members of the indigenous population as they are to him.The action takes a while to get going, with some over-extended wildlife sequences taxing one's patience a little, but once things are truly underway, a gently humorous odyssey unfolds, with false starts, mishaps, and odd little diversions impeding our two heroes' search for the enigmatic Titino. The contrast in the acting styles of Sordi and Blier is highly effective: the former is appropriately blustery and pompous, teetering at times on the edge of self-parody, whilst Blier underplays for all he's worth, and all but steals the show. They make for a genuinely engaging duo, and Manuel Zarzo and Nino Manfredi are memorable in supporting roles. The excellence of the actors is matched by that of the script, which is admirably relaxed and expansive, never overdoing its comic set-pieces (a stand-out example is some very funny business involving a confusion over cigarettes and a tape-recorder).The accusations of escapism that were levelled at the film when it first appeared (1968, after all) seem misplaced today: what Scola presents is not an indulgent, soft-headed retreat from the maladies of European capitalism, but a final image of uncertainty, circularity and psychological conflict. The film seems more relevant today than many of the more dated simplifications, pipe dreams and inanities that abounded in its year of release, and surely deserves a DVD run here in Britain. With its faults, thoroughly recommended.

This on-the-road adventure - whose ironically pompous title translates as "Will our heroes manage to save their friend mysteriously disappeared in Africa?" - is the comedic version of Joseph Conrad's masterpiece Heart of Darkness. Italian businessman Di Salvio (Alberto Sordi) and his scarcely enthusiastic sidekick Palmarini (Bernard Blier) travel through Africa searching for Titino (Nino Manfredi), Di Salvio's brother-in-law; during their journey they meet a multitude of weird individuals and face experiences ranging from ingloriously embarrassing to flat-out dangerous.Sordi is hilarious in his trademark role, a mediocre, sardonic man not nearly as smart or competent as he believes, and yet neither evil nor unlikable; Di Salvio, bored by his shallow life, sees the search for Titino as his only opportunity for a memorable adventure. Blier is perfect as bald, overweight Palmarini, a Sancho-like accountant whose meager pragmatism (faced with a spectacular exotic vista, he starts filing his tax returns) is the perfect foil to his boss' pomposity. The great Nino Manfredi has a short but crucial role as mysterious Titino.An underrated, endlessly quotable comedy with many memorable scenes. 8/10

This marvellous film is an authentic masterpiece, perhaps among the best products of the Italian cinema. The confrontation of two different human kinds, the enterprising editor Fausto Di Salvio (Alberto Sordi) and his shabby book-keeper Ubaldo Palmarini, interpreted by an extraordinary Bernard Blier, is the main source of an intelligent and never ending comicality. The two protagonists reach Africa in search for Mr. Di Salvio's brother-in-law, Oreste Sabatini (Nino Manfredi), who disappeared in the Black Continent without giving news of himself anymore. The trip, full of unbelievable adventures, becomes also for the watcher the occasion to taste the beauty of an uncorrupted nature and to distinguish the true values of life from the silly and stressing habits of modern society. An elegant soundtrack signed by Armando Trovajoli is the perfect musical comment for this movie, skilfully directed by Ettore Scola, which confirms again his limpid talent of master of the Italian comedy.