WEST OF ZANZIBAR

UK, 1954, 84 minutes, Colour.

Anthony Steel, Sheila Sim, William Simons, Orlando Martins, Edric Connor, Martin Benson, Howard Marion-Crawford.

Directed by Harry Watt.

The sequel to the very popular film, Where No Vultures Fly (1952) filmed in East Africa, the focus on the British colonies, the presence of the British, the state of the local tribes, dependence and independence – and the prospects of the struggles for independence in the coming years. West of Zanzibar is a sequel, also filmed in Africa, a great deal of local colour, the focus on background scenery as well is insertion of episodes with a range of distinctive animals, especially elephants.

Anthony Steel starred in the original film with Dinah Sheridan as his wife. He is here again but this time his wife is played by Sheila Sim.

The film was released in 1954. The next year the British film, Simba, with Dirk Bogarde, was released, a drama about the Mau Mau conflicts in the area and the move towards independence.

The basic plot is that of the British officer, scene with his wife and son, his dealings with the local authorities, his dealings with the tribe suffering from drought and is advised to move to the mountains west of Zanzibar their wanting to go to settle near Mombasa. One of the consequences is their becoming involved in the illegal ivory trade. The main drama is the pursuit of those participating, pursuits on land, pursuits in the sea, many spectacular pictures of the Dhow vessels on the water.

In looking at the film from the 21^st century vantage point, there can be judgements about the role of the British, their presence, authority, presumptions, treatment of the tribes. But, throughout the film, there are more sympathetic statements about the tribes, possibilities of independence, working side-by-side.

Anthony Steel is the upright Englishman, Sheila Sim having to be sympathetic as well as going into action. There is a sinister lawyer, Sorbonne educated but leading the smuggling of the ivory. There are various villains but there is very sympathetic presentation of the chief of the tribe, his struggles with his sons, with the corruption of money and the illegal trade, as well as another tribe leader, ultimately self-sacrificing.

The film is directed by Harry Watt, documentary maker, known in Australia for having directed The Overlanders and Eureka Stockade.

1. The British film of the early 1950s, the British colonies in Africa, the British presence, rule, the role of the tribes, issues of independence? In the light of subsequent history, the Mau Mau uprising?
2. The location photography, the beauties of Africa, the insertion of many nature sequences, the range of animals?
3. The basic plot, the issue of elephants and ivory hunters, illegal, cruelty to the animals, the smuggling of the ivory, the use of the tribes, the bosses, the range of Dhow vessels, along the East African coast, up to the Arabian Peninsula?
4. Bob, his character, from the earlier film, his role, conscientious, love for his wife, her presence, his son? His relationship with the chief, the issue of the tribes, to the mountains, to Mombasa? His role with the law, confronting the smugglers? The trial, the lawyer, interactions, the revelation that he was in charge of the operations? The captain of the boat and the members of the crew?
5. The action sequences, into the forests, tracking the smugglers, discovering the deaths, pursuing the vessels, the shipwreck, waiting, eventually capturing the boat?
6. The presentation of the tribes, the chief, his sons, the hero member of the tribe, the issue of moving to the coast, money, the trade, the law?
7. Personality of the chief, collaboration with Bob, leadership, changing situations? The confrontation with the smugglers, the boat, confronting the vessel, enabling them to be captured?
8. A film of the colonial period, the presumptions of colonialism, yet the many aspects of dialogue discussing collaboration, living together, moves to independence?