Displaying items by tag: Robert Urquhart

GOLDEN IVORY

UK, 1954, 80 minutes, Colour.

Robert Urquhart, John Bentley, Susan Stephan, Alan Tarlton, Howard Wood, Tom Lithgow, Maureen Connell.

Directed by George P.Breakston.

There are a number of British action adventures filmed in Africa, especially in Tanganyika, in the Kenya area, Where No Vultures Fly and its sequel West of Zanzibar. 1955 saw the film about the uprising on the Mau Mau, Simba.

The presupposition that this area of East Africa was British East Africa, part of the British Empire. But, the 1950s saw the immediate prelude to the movement for independence in African nations. The presumption in this screenplay is that Britain is still a colonial power – but some indications of collaboration, working together, some movements towards equality. But not yet.

The setting is 1890, some settlers moving inland from the coast, with two experienced guides, white guides, and some African servants. There is some drama between the two brothers, a touch of the Cain and Abel story, their adventures, hunting, and the prospect of ivory as well as discoveries of gold (but is turning out to be pool’s gold). There is an older man who has been involved in fights and killings. There is the parent generation and some of the younger generation – and, of course, some romance.

In this way, the film resembles the American Western – even to a rolling score reminiscent of such films as The Big Country.

Africans are the Massai and there are confrontations between the tribes, the leaders, discussions, the role of the witch doctor, the role of the chief – and possibilities for some kind of peaceful settlement.

With Robert Urquhart as a sympathetic lead, the audience is drawn into some of the action as well as some of the issues.

Inexplicably, the overseas title was The White Huntress, not really relevant (and there is little ivory in the film as well!).

THE SYNDICATE

UK, 1968, 63 minutes, Colour.

William Sylvester, June Ritchie, Robert Urquhart, Christian Doermer, John Bennett.

Directed by Frederic Goode.

A small-budget action adventure film, shot on location in Kenya. The release was delayed and the initial version, over 100 minutes, was edited to 63 minutes for general release.

A team go to Kenya for uranium exploration. The leader is alcoholic, Robert Urquhart overacting, travelling with his wife and very suspicious of her, June Ritchie perhaps under acting. The principal character is a failed American pilot, William Sylvester, in with the British team, falling in love with the wife, having to take final action. There is a young German entrepreneur explorer, Kristian Dermer.

Most of the action takes place in travelling to the uranium site, the locals digging, suspicions and a whole range of suspicious accidents. Perhaps it is the editing that makes this rather confused. Clashes, personality fights, the husband suspicious of his wife, her wanting out of the marriage.

At the end, the young German goes to Nairobi, teams up with various business interests, guns produced, attacks and violence, the threat to the uranium – and the pilot and the wife making their escape by plane.

Not necessary viewing.