Killers of Kilimanjaro
Killers of Kilimanjaro is a 1959 British CinemaScope adventure film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Robert Taylor, Anthony Newley, Anne Aubrey and Donald Pleasence[1] for Warwick Films.
Killers of Kilimanjaro | |
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Theatrical film poster | |
Directed by | Richard Thorpe |
Produced by | John R Sloane executive Irving Allen Albert R. Broccoli |
Screenplay by | John Gilling |
Based on | story by Cyril Hume and Richard Maibaum from book African Bush Adventures by J Hunter |
Starring | Robert Taylor Anthony Newley |
Music by | William Alwyn |
Cinematography | Ted Moore |
Edited by | Geoffrey Foot |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date | 1959 |
Running time | 91 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
The film was originally known as Adamson of Africa.[2]
Main cast
- Robert Taylor as Robert Adamson
- Anthony Newley as Hooky Hook
- Anne Aubrey as Jane Carlton
- Donald Pleasence as Captain
- Grégoire Aslan as Ben Ahmed
- Allan Cuthbertson as Sexton
- Martin Benson as Ali
- Orlando Martins as Chief
- John Dimech as Pasha
- Martin Boddey as Gunther
Production
Warwick Films had made three films in Africa, Safari, Zarak and Odongo. The movie was announced in 1956 and inspired by the story of the Tsavo maneaters recounted in the 1955 book African Bush Adventures by J.A. Hunter and Daniel P. Mannix.[3]
The screenplay was originally by Peter Viertel, who had worked on The African Queen, and written a novel of the experiences called White Hunter, Black Heart. Alan Ladd, who had made three films for Warwick, was the announced as male lead – it was meant to be part of a six-picture deal between Ladd and Warwick that also included The Man Inside and It's Always Four O'Clock.[4]
In the final event Ladd made no further films for Warwick - the lead role went to Robert Taylor. Taylor signed in January 1959 at which time the film was called African Bush.[5]
Filming took place on location in Moshi Tanganyika, the same location used for Mogambo and Tarzan's Greatest Adventure.[6]
Release
The film's title was changed to Killers of Kilimanjaro. This upset Chief Thomas Marealle of the Chagga tribe, on whose lands the film was shot, and he made an official complaint.[7] Mount Kilimanjaro lies about 125 kilometres (78 mi) west of Tsavo in Tanzania.
See also
- Men Against the Sun (1952)
References
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ""KILLERS" KILL THE CHIEF'S ENTHUSIASM: BRITISH FILM TITLE"". The Guardian. 1 September 1959. p. 11.
- OSCAR GODBOUT (17 July 1956). "WARWICK TO MAKE 2 FILMS IN AFRICA: Company Plans Productions of 'Adamson of Africa' and 'Golden City,' a Musical M-G-M Misses One of Four". New York Times. p. 19.
- Schallert, Edwin (16 September 1957). "Alan Ladd Gets Huge England Deal; Hunting Film Stars Prime Trio". Los Angeles Times. p. C11.
- "London". Variety. 21 January 1959. p. 86.
- MILTON BRACKER (22 March 1959). "WARUSHA, WACHAGGA & 'ADAMSON': Native Spear Carriers Prove Shrewd Actors In African Movie". New York Times. Moshi, Tanganyika.. p. X7.
- "KILLERS KILL THE CHIEF'S ENTHUSIASM: British film title". The Guardian. London (UK). 1 September 1959. p. 11.