Hatari!
By Kit Macdonald
Hatari! means "Danger!" in Swahili, an apt title for a film set in Tanzania that follows a group of professional animal catchers engaged in the perilous business of capturing wild animals for zoos around the world. John Wayne, Elsa Martinelli, and Hardy Krüger star. Their interactions and the development of their relationships are a light counterpoint to the film's tense animal chases.
Hatari! isn't exactly known for its tight plotting and script - it is nearly 160 minutes long and, apart from the two attempts to catch a rhinoceros that bookend the film, has a very loose plot that leans heavily on interpersonal relationships. The primary reason to go and see it on the big screen is its stunning cinematography and vibrant depiction of African wildlife and the savannah, with the dominant volcano Mount Meru a frequent backdrop. Russell Harlan was nominated for a Best Color Cinematography Oscar for his work on Hatari!, but was pipped by Freddie Young for his work on Lawrence of Arabia.