A Boy Ten Feet Tall (1963)
"Sammy Going South" (original title)

Ten year old Sammy travels 4500 miles on his own from the Suez Canal to Durban, South Africa.

Director:

Alexander Mackendrick

Writers:

W.H. Canaway (novel), Denis Cannan

Stars:

Edward G. Robinson, Fergus McClelland, Constance Cummings

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Edward G. Robinson	...	Cocky Wainwright
Fergus McClelland	...	Sammy
Constance Cummings	...	Gloria van Imhoff
Harry H. Corbett	...	Lem
Paul Stassino	...	Spyros Dracandopolous
Zia Mohyeddin	...	The Syrian
Orlando Martins	...	Abu Lubaba
John Turner	...	Heneker
Zena Walker	...	Aunt Jane
Jack Gwillim	...	District Commissioner
Patricia Donahue	...	Kathy
Jared Allen	...	Bob
Guy Deghy	...	Doctor
Marne Maitland	...	Hassan
Steven Scott	...	Egyptian Policeman

Storyline

A young boy living in Port Said, Egypt, narrowly escapes a bomb blast that destroys the apartment block where he lives. After discovering that both his parents were killed in the explosion, he decides to travel (on foot) to Durban, South Africa, to be with his only living relative, an aunt. During his 4500 mile journey across africa he has many adventures including a first hand experience with the slave trade and living for a time with a band of poachers and criminals. After several months of travel he finally arrives at his destination.

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Plot Keywords:

africa | journey | aunt | cardinal direction in title | cross continent trek | 

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Taglines:

Incredible Adventure in a Land That Knows a Thousand Dangers!

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Genres:

Adventure

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 February 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Boy Ten Feet Tall

Filming Locations:

Chobham Common, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Michael Balcon Productions, Bryanston Films, Seven Arts Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Steven Scott was first considered for the part of the Doctor (Guy Deghy)

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Connections

Referenced in Empire of the Sun (1987)

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Soundtracks

"Last Chance"
(uncredited)
Written by Anna Sosenko

User Reviews

A children's picture filled delights.

A ten year-old English boy's parents are killed in Port Said during the 1956 Suez crisis, and so, in the British way, he sets off--alone and on foot--to travel the length of Africa to find his only relative, an aunt in Durban, South Africa. A children's picture filled with delights, especially the lovely location cinematography; the inspired casting of Edward G. Robinson as a wily soldier of fortune; and the engaging Fergus McClelland as the boy, Sammy, whose own innocence somehow mirrors an Africa which, even in 1956 (or 1963), was already quickly passing away.