Trader Horn (1973 film)

Trader Horn (1973 film) is an adventure drama film directed by Reza Badiyi and starring Rod Taylor, Anne Heywood, and Jean Sorel. The film is a remake of the 1931 film of the same name, which was directed by W.S. Van Dyke and starred Harry Carey and Edwina Booth. The story is based on the Ethelreda Lewis novel of the same name, which was inspired by the life of Alfred Aloysius Horn, a British ivory trader who worked in Africa during the late 19th century. The film features a mix of action, romance, and drama, and was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Plot

The film tells the story of Alfred Aloysius Horn, a British ivory trader who works in Africa during the late 19th century. The story follows Horn as he travels through the African jungle, encountering various indigenous tribes and facing numerous challenges, including lion attacks and malaria. Along the way, he meets a missionary named Nicole Ellis, played by Anne Heywood, who is working to convert the local tribes to Christianity. The two develop a romantic relationship, but their love is threatened by the dangers of the African jungle and the slave trade, which is still prevalent in the region. The film also features a subplot involving a Portuguese slave trader named Karl Zimmer, played by Jean Sorel, who is working to capture and enslave the local tribes. The film's plot is set against the backdrop of the Scramble for Africa, a period of colonial expansion and competition among European powers such as Britain, France, Germany, and Portugal.

Production

The film was directed by Reza Badiyi, an Iranian-American director who had previously worked on a number of television films and series, including Mission: Impossible and The Six Million Dollar Man. The film was produced by MGM Studios and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film's cinematography was handled by Alex Phillips, who had previously worked on a number of films, including The Dirty Dozen and Kelly's Heroes. The film's score was composed by Maurice Jarre, a French composer who had previously worked on a number of films, including Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago. The film was shot on location in Africa, with filming taking place in South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania. The film's production team included a number of experienced crew members, including John Sturges, who had previously directed a number of films, including The Great Escape and Ice Station Zebra.

Cast

The film features a cast of experienced actors, including Rod Taylor, Anne Heywood, and Jean Sorel. Rod Taylor plays the lead role of Alfred Aloysius Horn, a British ivory trader who works in Africa during the late 19th century. Anne Heywood plays the role of Nicole Ellis, a missionary who is working to convert the local tribes to Christianity. Jean Sorel plays the role of Karl Zimmer, a Portuguese slave trader who is working to capture and enslave the local tribes. The film also features a number of experienced character actors, including Don Knight, who plays the role of Trent, a hunter who is working with Horn, and Maurice Denham, who plays the role of Governor, a British governor who is working to suppress the slave trade in the region.

Release

The film was released in 1973 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film was released in a number of countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany. The film was released in a number of different formats, including 35mm and 70mm. The film's release was accompanied by a number of marketing and publicity campaigns, including television advertisements and print advertisements. The film was also screened at a number of film festivals, including the Cannes Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival.

Reception

The film received a mixed response from critics, with some praising the film's cinematography and action sequences, while others criticized the film's plot and character development. The film was praised by Roger Ebert, a film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, who gave the film 3.5 out of 4 stars. The film was also praised by Vincent Canby, a film critic for The New York Times, who praised the film's cinematography and action sequences. However, the film was criticized by Gene Siskel, a film critic for the Chicago Tribune, who gave the film 2 out of 4 stars. The film was also criticized by Pauline Kael, a film critic for The New Yorker, who criticized the film's plot and character development. Despite the mixed response from critics, the film was a commercial success, grossing over 10 million at the box office. The film's success can be attributed to the popularity of adventure films and drama films during the 1970s, as well as the film's marketing and publicity campaigns. The film's success also led to the production of a number of other adventure films and drama films set in Africa, including The Wild Geese and The Dogs of War.

Category:1973 films