User Reviews

Though Safari is hardly in the same league with such location jungle dramas as The African Queen or King Solomon's Mines, it has one thing going for it that I find amazing. It was actually shot in Kenya colony before Kenya became a nation and the Mau Mau rebellion as part of the plot while it was going on.

Director Terrance Young and his principal cast of mostly Caucasian players were taking their lives in their hands just being there. A year after Safari was released to theaters, Ghana became the first African nation granted independence from its European colonizers. That paved the way for about 40 regime changes in Africa. Kenya in fact was one of the last in that group to be granted independence, a lot having to do with the Mau Mau Rebellion.

The story is a standard one, Victor Mature is an Safari guide who takes on a job to guide Roland Culver and his party which consists of among others Janet Leigh and John Justin. Culver is after a rogue lion and Mature wants an excuse to get into the country where the Mau Maus are operating so he can get the guy who killed his son. Culver's got both a drinking and jealousy problem.

I think anyone who's seen a couple of these films knows exactly where this one is going. Safari is a standard routine story, not worthy of the location cinematography or the events of the time. Still give these people a medal for filming in Kenya at that time.

"In the jungle, the quiet jungle, the lion sleeps tonight." That was a rock 'n' roll hit in the late 1950s. Where did an American recording group get the idea to do such a single? From this movie, in which the African characters, while marching on safari, sing it - an authentic African folk song that easily translated to a rhythm 'n' blues beat. Here is a fine example of what they used to call a 'program picture' - not a B movie in the early-indie junk-movie sense, or an A studio production either. Just before TV ruled, the major studios used to make minor films (though not B movies, mind you - something beyond that but below a B feature) and called them programmers. That way, they could make use of the actors, writers, directors, etc. who were on a regular payroll, a concept that would die early during the next decade. After all, if you were going to pay all of those people a weekly salary, might as well knock out modest movies that, when you think about it, cost them little but the price of raw film stock. They could be marketed on double bills, then sent over to the Drive-Ins, and finally put into a package that went to local TV channels in those days before the networks got hooked on full-length films (fall of 61). So here were Victor Mature and Janet Leigh as an older man and younger woman who find themselves together on a safari that her father arranges. Mature has ulterior motives - his family was destroyed in a mau-mau attacks some years earlier and he wants revenge, thinking this may be the way to get it. The mau-mau attacks are very well staged by Terence Young, who would go on to do several Bond films. Crisp color and a strong soundtrack qualify this as precisely what it was meant to be - far from a memorable movie, but a time killer that doesn't leave you feeling that you've wasted you're time when it's over.

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.

Safari is directed by Terence Young and adapted to screenplay by Robert Buckner from a story by Anthony Veiller. It stars Victor Mature, Janet Leigh, John Justin, Roland Culver, Earl Cameron and Juma. A Technicolor/CinemaScope production out of Columbia Pictures, music is scored by William Alwyn and cinematography by John Wilcox. Plot finds Mature as a hunter Ken Duffield, who returns home from a trip to his Kenyan homestead to find his son as been murdered by a Mau Mau general who was hiding in disguise as the Duffield's house servant. Initially stripped of his thirst for revenge by the local authorities, Duffield gets his chance when he is hired by wealthy and powerful Sir Vincent Brampton (Culver) and his trophy fiancée Linda Latham (Leigh)lead them on a jungle hunt to kill as lion.

Be on your guard against Mau Mau terrorists.

Colourful, entertaining and often picturesque in scope, Safari manages to rise above its standard plotting to reveal a decent jungle adventure. Shot on location in Kenya and using the Mau Mau uprising as a backdrop, film was daring back in the day, that the likes of Mature and Leigh were talked into making a picture in Kenya at this time is impressive since the Mau Mau uprising was still in effect. What transpires as the film unfolds sees the stars put through their paces by Terence Young, a future James Bond director and a dab hand at action scenes. There's some inevitable cheapness in the production, with back screen projections and the odd dummy flung about, but action rushes and human peril is within and Wilcox's scope photography of the Kenyan landscapes is most pleasing. 6.5/10

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.

This film will not disappoint the viewing family. It is chocked full of beautiful scenery, awesome wildlife, good acting, and of course Victor Mature, a man's man on a mission. It comes included with Janet Leigh taking an ill advised ride in a tiny rubber raft down a crocodile infested river complete with rapids and a water fall, not to mention any number of hippos. If you are a husband who has grown weary of saving your wife from self induced harm, you will enjoy this scene immensely. Recommended viewing for all.

So much of this film leaves a bad taste in the mouth.What was a very complex situation is treated rather like a western with the cavalry coming to the rescue in the nick of time.Then there is the great white hunter slaughtering everything in his path.The film was dated when it was made and feels more embarrassingly so nowMature gives his usual wooden performance and Culver is surprisingly bad.

I saw this as a kid and remember the initial mau mau attack as very frightening. Mature was adequate in the part. He was never one of my favorite actors, but the more I see of his old movies today, the more I begin to appreciate his films. Would love to see "Safari" again, especially now that I know Terence Young directed it.

Always enjoyed Victor Mature movies and he was great as usual.

I will never understand why with all the expense of making a movie they very rarely get even close to the firearm reality of what is necessary.

None of the big bore rifles even sounded close to being real. As in later movies like Anaconda they show bolt action rifles being fired repeatedly without the shooter cycling the weapon, reloading with the bolt action being used etc. There is poor sound and absolutely no recoil even being feigned. It is as if they are shooting Daisy air rifles.

When Victor Mature asks for his 900 grain bullets for his big bore express rifle, that was good as they used Holland AND Holland .500 and .600 nitro Express rifles back then, with side by side rifled barrels.

Yet when he shot it, there again was no recoil. All that expensive footage shot yet they show a river scene with a sound stage movie screen behind them, why use that at all? The dead lion dummy, drugged starving circus lion whatever they used looked to be hundreds of pounds lighter than a 500lb plus Atari.

Still very enjoyable movie.

This has all the familiar tropes as any other safari film (compare with Stewart Granger's version of King Solomon's Mines 6 years previously), but also works in contemporary history, as the Mau Mau uprising was a real event in Kenyan history. Obviously this was before CGI, so the animal effects are crude, but the 1950's colors are vibrant, and they featured a lot of different firearms probably not often seen on a real safari, like the Thompson, a pump action shotgun, and a Winchester 1892.

'On a safari, blow your horn... Must stay alert from dusk til dawn...' It's actually quite apt that I'm watching this now just as the King returns from Kenya where apologies for the colonial treatment of the Mau Mau were top of the reconciliation agenda. In this jungle adventure, it's Victor Mature's "Duffield" who is out to avenge a murderous attack by these self same freedom fighters on his family. The authorities want him out of the way, but the influential "Sir Vincent" (Roland Culver) arrives on the scene bent on killing a legendary lion and so arranges for "Duffield" to be his guide. The latter man sees a chance for retribution and is also intrigued by "Linda" (Janet Leigh) who is engaged to the trip's patron. As he's a bit of a pompous bully, nobody is quite sure why. Anyway, the adventures ensue with snakes, crocodiles, lions and some good old human treachery before an ending that delivers just desserts all round. It's of it's day this, so some of the language and imagery might offend, as might Mature's really rather wooden acting but if you are a fan of the boy's own style of action movie then this isn't the worst. Might have been more fun if the man and the rhino went head to head without one having the benefit of a gun!

At last after a long waiting l have found a decent DVD-RIP copy from this fine picture which l had watched in 1991, of course in hope to get an official release in Brazil, this picture follow the steeps of Mogambo, The Snows of Kilimanjaro, King Solomon's Mines and many others, nevertheless this has an slight unusual approaching of Mau Mau uprising on Kenya, Ken Duffield (Victor Mature) wants revenge to his killed son and has a perfect opportunity when was hired by a haughty and rich Vincent Brampton who bring his gorgeous fiancée (Janet Leigh) to attend the Safari, the visual of the African landscape is breathtaking, solid photography on amazing spots, the adventure is quite acceptable, apart the sequence at river where has many flaws, enjoyable as entertainment and a bit underrated!!!

Resume:

First watch: 1991 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-DVD-R / Rating: 7

I LOVE this film and it is SHAMEFUL that there is not a DVD out.

Great director, great actors deserve it.

One of the greatest stage and film actors ever to come out of England, John Justin, the talented and beauteous Janet Leigh, the most masculine actor I've ever seen, Victor Mature, and a superb supporting cast make this film endearing, and above all else white-knuckled action. There is romance, and sexual tension, danger, pathos, heroism, and all of the frailties of the human condition are on display here.

It is very, very sad that more film goers are not exposed to this little gem. Filmed on location in Africa and every scene is powerful. If you are tired of films that are really nothing more than special effects and NOISE then watch this film, you will NOT be disappointed.

GIVE US A DVD version with a pristine print. PLEASE oh gods of the arts.

"Safari" is set during the Mau Mau Rebellion, a civil war in which the Mau Maus tried to rid Kenya of its Colonial oppressor, Great Britain. However, since the film was made in the 1950s, it seems to side squarely with the British....even though they essentially took over the country and imposed themselves on the locals. It's no wonder there was eventually an uprising in an attempt to gain self-rule.

Early in the story, Ken Duffield (Victor Mature) is off leading a safari, as he's a guide and expert hunter. During his absence, rebels attack his home and murder his family and he is naturally bitter and wants revenge for their deaths. But for now, the British authorities tell him to stay away from his home due to the conflict and their desire to stop him from trying to track down the killers alone. So Ken reluctantly heads to Nairobi.

His chance to leave this sort of exile comes when a man arrives in Nairobi to go on safari. However, he has no one to lead the expedition and they hire Ken. Soon it becomes apparent that the rich guy who hired him is obsessed with killing a lion which is thought to be a man-killer...and nothing else is really important...including his pretty fiancee (Janet Leigh) or anyone else in the safari. What's next? See the film.

During an era when there were a LOT of bad African safari type movies, "Safari" is a standout because of its great location shooting. The animals also do NOT look like the usual crappy stock footage...it looks like they really filmed all this while filming the movie. It also had great color and wide screen cinematography. My only complaint is one tiny and VERY badly done scene. Leigh's character inexplicably decides to go rafting in a river infested with crocs, hippos and with rapids. Who is THAT stupid?! Plus, the rear projection used in the scene is just awful. This entire segment was not needed and the film would have been better had they not used it at all.

While there are a few other minor complaints (such as the scene where Mature shoots the guy at the top of a mountain with a machine gun....an impossible bit of shooting), the movie is surprisingly good. With a few minor changes, I might have scored it even higher.

I found this movie to be wonderful and not what I totally expected. I was looking for a movie about animals and was blessed with a film that fed all my senses. The scenery was breathtaking and clear. You even got an unexpected education from watching it. The actors were talented and did not take away from the scenery. It was a great blending of talent and location. This is not a documentary about animals but it could be used as a wonderful teaching tool on types of animals and how people relate to them. The movie had suspense and laughter throughout. even though was based on a time when women had a place to be and it was not in the bush country. I recommend this movie as a family movie.

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.

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.

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.