A group of hunters led by Sean Mercer earns its living in Tanzania by capturing wild animals that are then sold to zoos and circuses. The routine of their company, the Momella Game Company, shifts with the arrival of Dallas, a photographer assigned to document their work, and Chips, a French marksman who joins after an accident. Between expeditions, chases and friendly rivalries, Hatari! blends adventure with a love story that develops slowly.

How it was made

Howard Hawks wanted to make a film about people who catch animals in Africa for zoos, a profession he considered dangerous and capable of producing scenes never seen on screen. The loose script was largely written by Leigh Brackett, drawing on footage shot in Africa and studio work in Hollywood, and it is built more around the relationships among the characters than around a tight plot. Filming took place in northern Tanzania, near Arusha, and according to the director the actors performed the captures themselves, although a stand-in replaced Elsa Martinelli in some scenes.

Reception and legacy

Shot in Technicolor, the film earned a Best Color Cinematography nomination for Russell Harlan, who lost to Freddie Young for Lawrence of Arabia. It also received a second place in the Laurel Awards for top action drama. It is remembered today mainly for its chases filmed without stunts and for depicting a practice that is now banned.

Stills

Trailer

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Trivia

Real inspiration

Hawks drew on the animal photographer Ylla for the character of Dallas, and said that part of the story came from a real German woman.

No stuntmen

According to the director, the actors performed the animal captures themselves, although a stand-in, Mildred Lucy Walkley, replaced Elsa Martinelli in some scenes.

More films by Howard Hawks

Sergeant York1941

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes1953

Original Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (es) and Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.