Rating: 
Summary: I'm not sure who to root for...
Review: the animals or the veldt.I usually like John Wayne movies, and I bought Hatari! because I thought I remembered watching it as a kid. I'm certain I did see it, but my positive memories were some sort of temporary mental abberation--and I didn't see the whole thing. I'm definitely not an "animal-rights activist" (mmmm, beef), but watching this movie makes me want to contribute to PETA or Sierra Club or something; it's a real shame to see people chasing after animals in jeeps. The humor is tired and worn, and I don't think I've seen so much smoking in a movie since The Towering Inferno. (It appears to me the movie's been sponsored by the tobacco and African safari companies.) On a moral scale, I'll give the movie 5 points for saving baby elephants and a big -500 for the various jeep-chasing scenes...no point in mentioning the poor monkeys. I'd have a hard time recommending this one. It's slightly better than Donovan's Reef, but only because of the goofy rocket bit and the music. There are many better John Wayne films, and tons of better movies in general.
Rating: 
Summary: At least with the VHS version you can catch a sandwich
Review: The name of the movie almost sounds "African". This is one of John Wayne's `travelogue movies' as I have come to call them. The movies basically stink yet they have several ingredients common to the script which makes them easily identifiable. First they are shot on location, Africa, Hawaii, at the circus or to the backdrop of some unusual profession as in Hellfighters. Second, and this never fails, Duke is always much larger than other men in the cast and also much older. In the case of Red Buttons, nicknamed `Pockets' in this movie, and Hardy Krueger, the short German method actor, Duke appears almost menacing with his enormous size compared to the other actors and threatening repartee. The sperm count of the cast must have been microscopic. The third ingredient is that Duke had lung cancer and was diagnosed in 1963 during the filming of The Sons of Katie Elder. So in movies like Hitari, and Donovan's Reef, he was still turning the girls on with cigarette breath and using Camels as sexual paraphernalia. The fourth ingredient is what I call `zany nonsense'. There is always some kind of idiotic chase scene comic relief thing going. In the case of Hitari, Duke loads a baby elephant in the back of a jeep and then rides off like a maniac terrifying the animal all in the attempt to chase down an Italian model turned actress named `Dallas' as she was trying to get the heck away from Duke and his absurd missed love cues. If Duke was the prize bull amongst all of the midget male actors, he sure came off as brain damaged. His shaving cream kiss with Dallas looked more like State's evidence than affection. The last ingredient is the `show you how it's done' thing. Some portion of these movies is always dedicated to some mandatory action footage about how to do whatever it is that Duke is supposed to be an expert doing. It is just filler to hide the lack of plot. For example in Hellfighters, it was putting out oil fires, in Hatari there is the usual obligatory action scene featuring Duke wrestling what could only be a drug induced Rhino into submission with the help of friendly African Natives and lots of rope. Animal rights activists might find these scenes appalling however movie critics would find the entire film appalling. One star is quite generous
Rating: 
Summary: Rhinos and Other Horny Beasts in Africa
Review: There's not much this movie doesn't have. Action? Got it. Romance? Yep. Comedy? Check. Wild animals? Naturally. Punching, gunplay, explosions, and rocket blasts? Yes, yes, yes, and yes. Hyena bathing and slapstick elephant chases? But of course. Shape-shifting space aliens? Okay, it doesn't have that, but it has everything else and a cast that works well together and isn't overscripted. The story follows a season in the lives of a team of big game hunters (a catch-and-release group that works for zoos and circuses). A couple outsiders come in and the group dynamic changes; the young girl of the group is suddenly all grown up and a love triangle (later a quadrangle) forms and resolves itself; the group's leader has to choose between letting go of the past or missing the relationship of a lifetime; and then there's the horrible rhino curse that must be broken. In lesser hands, it would all be a "very special episode" of Little House on the Savanna, but Howard Hawks masterfully directs his cast and winds up with some incredible footage of the African plains and its wildlife as well. Add in an excellent score by Henry Mancini, and you are really drawn into the action; the whimsical "Baby Elephant Walk" provides a nice break from the tension - you know nothing bad can happen once the calliope starts up, so just sit back and enjoy the fun. John Wayne keeps his swagger and drawl mostly in check, but Buttons' physical comedy is a little overeager. Still, the remaining 98% of the film is on target in tone and balance. The scenes between lovelorn Martinelli and Buttons feel genuine, the animal herding and capture scenes feel dangerous, the rhino goring and dislocated shoulder repair feel painful, and your arteries begin to clog at the mention of codfish cakes deep-fried in antelope fat. This is a great movie to lose yourself in. Just make sure you have a full two-and-a-half hours to spend; once you begin you won't want the action, romance, and comedy to stop for even a minute.
Rating: 
Summary: Upbeat theme and music
Review: This is not a typical John Wayne movie. Although Wayne plays his typical strong, silent man role, he is served a come-uppance by a woman... and by 3 baby elephants! After watching this film, who could forget Henry Mancini's "Baby Elephant Walk?" A. Wallingford
Rating:
Summary: what a life!
Review: This is the only movie I have ever known where, evry one of the dozens of times I have watched it, I wish I could step into the screen and share this adventure with the characters. The beauty of the East African landscape, the adrenaline and excitement of the hunt, the international group of friends (2 white Americans, 1 Native American, 1 German, 1 Frenchman, 1 Mexican, 1 French woman and 1 Italian woman) who obviously enjoy their friendship as much as they enjoy their job. I watch and wish it was real and wish I was part of it. Old fashioned adventure, great early sixties style music from Mancini. Actually, in many ways, this film is VERY 1962, the music, the dialogue, the attitudes all fit in with the big living days of the Rat Pack. I'll never get tired of this movie.
Rating:
Summary: The greatest John Wayne of all time
Review: This movie has been a part of family since I was a boy. We used to march around the house to the sound of "The Elephant Walk" playing on our piano. The comedy is great, scenery amazing and it is one of those calssic stories taht you just don't get tired of. I hope to share this gem with my kids and promise that no one buying this video will be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Not Just for John Wayne Fans!
Review: This movie has it all, but without a single foul word, bare chest, or uncomfortable inuendo! It is FUNNY, ROMANTIC, EXCITING! Did you know that John Wayne did all of his own 'stunts'? They REALLY caught these animals! Truly, this movie is fantastic! You won't be disappointed! The cast is exceptional.
Rating:
Summary: A fun movie
Review: This movie is just plain old fun. Nothing too deep or serious to weight it down, you just enjoy it from start to finish.
Rating: 
Summary: Western?
Review: This movie takes place in Africa for God's sake. Why do you have it listed under Westerns?
Rating:
Summary: The Duke, baby animals and romance=tons of smiles
Review: This was one of the first movies to combine the majesty of Africa with a amusing plot and compelling Mancini music score. The Duke plays it true to type but it is director Howard Hawks' wonderful use of Africa's natural beauty and its animals that elevates this above the usual Wayne fare. Groundbreaking moviemaking it is not, but for sheer G-rated enjoyment and some truly memorable scenes/music it is hard to top. According to Hawks the actors actually captured the animals themselves (no stunt doubles) and there is little reason to doubt him since this was way before the computer effects seen in Forrest Gump. The mark of a great movie is that it is timeless. Unless you knew the Duke's bio intimately you could not tell what decade it was shot. Stunning visuals, a crisp tongue-in-cheek script, a chart-topping song (true--Baby Elephant Walk), and the Duke poking a little fun at himself, Hatari! is a movie that does not take itself too seriously but still delivers the goods many times over. I've seen it 50 times since it first came out and am always a little sad at the end that it ended. They don't make them that way any more. This is a movie you can enjoy with the family or can leave in the hands of a baby sitter and not worry that your kids. Highest possible "fun" rating. In its own way as good as anything the Duke did. Watch it again and listen to how versatile Mancini's score is. Still my all-time favorite movie.
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