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Summary: The Duke is the BEST
Review: Hatari has a familiar plot but it is a wonderful movie. John Wayne is one of the greatest Hollywood actors of all time and his performance although predictable is funny and good. He's getting a little old for the maidens (and it shows in this movie) but nobody from Redford to Grant can kiss a woman like the Duke.The outdoor scenes are gorgeous. Not much extra on the DVD, but the clarity of picture and wide screen make this a worthy purchase.
Rating:
Summary: John Wayne, as always, is excellent.
Review: Hatari shows a romantic side to John Wayne. I really enjoyed the African scenery and the groups exploits. I have always considered it a very entertaining movie. d.a.henderson
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Summary: Great family entertainment
Review: Hatari! is about a very likeable group of African animal catchers who live together, led by John Wayne as chief honcho with Red Buttons as the comic relief. Italian beauty Elsa Martinelli plays a photographer who stays with them and falls for Wayne. There are equal parts of animal action and innocent flirtations. German hottie Hardy Kruger, as one of the hunters, is the reason I watch this film over and over again. John Wayne is very cute while trying to avoid the wiles of the attractive Miss Martinelli. When this was made, political correctness about animals didn't exist, so don't judge it by today's standards; enjoy it for what it is: a very entertaining comedy with action and romance--satisfying family fun.
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Summary: Hawks' African 'Buddy' Film a Wayne Classic!
Review: HATARI! may be the most enjoyable of the Howard Hawks/John Wayne collaborations (their other pairings produced the classics RED RIVER and RIO BRAVO, and the RIO BRAVO 'remakes' EL DORADO and RIO LOBO), and is exceptional in several ways; at 157 minutes (2 hours, 37 minutes), it may be one of the longest 'buddy' films ever made; nearly all of the animal 'chase and capture' sequences involved the actual cast members (professional handlers serving as stunt doubles were only rarely used); and the filming began with virtually no script (which was written based on the 'on location' footage in Africa, after the cast returned to California). At 65, director Hawks was still in top form, and the risks he took paid off...HATARI!, despite it's length, is never boring! The story focuses on a season with a team of professional hunter/trappers, capturing animals for zoos and circuses. With a breathtaking opening scene of a rhino chase, costing them the use of veteran driver, 'Indian' (legendary actor Bruce Cabot), the 'family' dynamic is quickly established, with rugged Sean Mercer (Wayne) both boss and father-figure to the group. As he and the rest of the 'family' (Red Buttons, Hardy Krüger, Valentin de Vargas, and Michèle Girardon) meet 'Indian's' replacement, 'Chips' (Gérard Blain), Mercer has an even bigger headache to deal with; beautiful photographer Anna Maria 'Dallas' D'Allesandro (Elsa Martinelli) has arrived, to shoot a magazine spread. A 'traditional' Hawks leading lady, 'Dallas' is feisty, sultry, and attracted to Mercer, and the older man, uncomfortable with the ease by which she fits into the group, as well as his own stirrings, tries to make it clear that romance has no place on his agenda (in much the same manner as he did with Angie Dickinson in RIO BRAVO...and with the same results). While some elements of the story are dated and politically incorrect (shooting a baby African elephant, even as a 'mercy killing', would be a major offense, today, as it is an endangered species), the combination of spectacular 'hunt' sequences, and the warmth and easy camaraderie of the cast in the subplots make HATARI! a rich, rewarding experience. A major plus for the film is a very atypical Henry Mancini score, combining tense, African-influenced themes for the chases, and the very funny 'Elephant Walk' to punctuate 'Dallas's' relationship with her adopted pachyderm 'children'. The baby elephant scenes are film highlights, as is the rocket capture of a tree filled with monkeys, and both rhino chases (which clearly shows Wayne in some real danger!) From the opening rhino sequence to the closing 'Honeymoon' scene, HATARI! is a grand entertainment, and escapism at it's best!
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Summary: action,adventure,friendships and love
Review: Hitari is one of John Wayne's classic movies. As always he is very gruff and tough with his job and assignment. His movies always show a great deal about his loyality to his job, friends and the love of his country. I've seen everyone of his movies and repeatedly you will see many of the same people over and over again. Hitari was filmed in Africa and the scenery is beautiful. His relationship with each character developes creatively as the movie progresses. I loved the movie. K.M.Smith
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Summary: the first ecological movie
Review: Howard Hawks must be considered a pioneer in what nowadays is called "ecological movement". In 1962 he produced and directed a wonderful movie with all the necessary sketchs of a comedy. John Wayne always as John Wayne:you watch the movie and you believe in what you're seeing. That's his secret. The photography is one of the best in the history of cinema. The music excellent.Wild animals running in the sabana and the trappers just running over them with a jeep and an old truck in order to catch them without shooting a single bullet. That's why is in my opinion the first ecological movie.
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Summary: Hillarious.
Review: I am young and i still enjoyed this movie. The mishaps with the animals make the movie so funny. Pockets antics aren't bad either.
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Summary: Timeless comedy
Review: I don't know how many times I've seen this movie since I was a child. And it is still one of my all time favorites. I hope Paramount is making a DVD in the near future, cause my old VHS tape is pretty worn out and won't do it any longer. Although John Wayne is mostly famous for his western movies, he's best in Non-westerns. His exprssion when Martinelli asks him how he likes to kiss is priceless. I LOVE IT!! Howard Hawks was an excellent director and never in the 160 minutes the movie is boring. The action scenes are exciting, the comedy scenes are funny. Don't touch it when you love Stallone or Van Damme, but it is a must when you love Good Old Hollywood!!
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Summary: what a life!
Review: I first saw Hatari! in a drive-in as a child, and was utterly enchanted by the scenery, Henry Mancini's award winning music, Red Button's comedy, and that hunk Hardy Kruger. Each time since that I've seen the movie, it's just as enjoyable. All of the actors are excellent, but I really enjoy the chemistry between Red Buttons and Elsa Martinelli, as they schemed together to win their loves. Elsa's dance with the Warusha is a stitch, but her bath with three men and a cheetah is not to be missed. The DVD in widescreen (on my 31" TV) is not quite like that summer night at the drive-in, but almost as good. My speakers are a lot better than the drive-in was... It's an excellent transfer to DVD. This movie is pure fun. It's a keeper.
Rating:
Summary: Funny Story -- Breathtaking Scenery
Review: I first saw Hatari! in a drive-in as a child, and was utterly enchanted by the scenery, Henry Mancini's award winning music, Red Button's comedy, and that hunk Hardy Kruger. Each time since that I've seen the movie, it's just as enjoyable. All of the actors are excellent, but I really enjoy the chemistry between Red Buttons and Elsa Martinelli, as they schemed together to win their loves. Elsa's dance with the Warusha is a stitch, but her bath with three men and a cheetah is not to be missed. The DVD in widescreen (on my 31" TV) is not quite like that summer night at the drive-in, but almost as good. My speakers are a lot better than the drive-in was... It's an excellent transfer to DVD. This movie is pure fun. It's a keeper.
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