West of Zanzibar (1954 film)

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West of Zanzibar
"West of Zanzibar" (1954).jpg
U.S. theatrical poster
Directed by Harry Watt
Produced by Leslie Norman
Written by Max Catto
Jack Whittingham
Story
Harry Watt
Starring Anthony Steel, Sheila Sim
Music by Alan Rawsthorne
Cinematography Paul Beeson
Edited by Peter Bezencenet
Production
company
Distributed by General Film Distributors
Release dates
 March 1954 (UK)
Country United Kingdom
Language English

West of Zanzibar is a 1954 British adventure film directed by Harry Watt and starring Anthony Steel, Sheila Sim and Edric Connor.[1]

It is a sequel to Where No Vultures Fly (1951), from the same director and producer, and continues the adventures of game warden Bob Payton, played again by Anthony Steel. The subject of the film is ivory smuggling, and although the film appears to side with the African natives against economic exploitation, it was banned by the government of Kenya, which considered its approach too paternalistic.[2][3]

Plot

The rural African Galana tribe move to Mombasa following a drought. The tribe's peaceful ways are destroyed by the influence of illegal ivory traders. Game warden Bob Payton turns detective, travelling to Zanzibar to discover the ringleader behind the ivory smuggling. Payton tracks his quarry through some of the most treacherous passages of the Zanzibar territory. Despite obstacles which include crocodiles and rhinos, Payton finally corners the villain. The gang's ringleader has given an African tribe land in return for ivory tusks, but he is repaid for his scheming when the tribe turns on him.[2][2][4]

Cast

Production

At one stage it was planned for the movie to be shot in 3-D but this did not happen.[5]

Like the first movie, it was shot on location in Africa. The unit arrived in Nairobi in January 1953.[6]

Soundtrack

A popular local dance song during the shoot was a Swahili folk song called "Jambo Sigara Baridl". The filmmakers liked the melody so much they decided to include it as background music. Then it was decided to prepare an English version of the song, with Anthony Steel singing lead vocals, along with a band, the Radio Revellers. When asked if he could sing, Steel replied, "Apart from making gurgling noises in the bath, I've never tried." Steel recorded the song anyway and it was a success on the charts.[7]

Release

Kenya's film censors banned the film on the grounds it would hurt race relations in the country.[8]

The movie was also banned in India after the protests of African students in that country.[9]

Box Office

In 1957, the film was listed as among the seventeen most popular movies the Rank Organisation ever released in the US.[10]

Critical reception

  • Sky Movies noted: "Anthony Steel once again as the game warden Bob Payton. He shares the Hollywood hero's ability to come through the most vicious fight with no more than a spotless handkerchief tied around one bulging bicep." [11]
  • TV Guide wrote, "relying too much on its scenic African location, this British adventure moves along slowly." [2]
  • Bosley Crowther said in The New York Times, "it is an exciting and generally creditable picture of a contemporary aspect of East Africa." [12]

References

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  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ BRITAIN'S MOVIE SCENE: AN AMERICAN FILM EVOLVES IN THE ORIENT By STEPHEN WATTS. New York Times 24 Mar 1957: 123.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links


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