The Macomber Affair (1947)

Robert Wilson leads safaris on the Kenyan savanna. On this occasion, he takes Mr. and Mrs. Macomber out to hunt buffalo. The obnoxious ways of Margaret Macomber make the three of them get ... See full summary »

Director:

Zoltan Korda

Writers:

Ernest Hemingway (story "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber"), Seymour Bennett (adaptation)

Stars:

Gregory Peck, Joan Bennett, Robert Preston

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gregory Peck	...	Robert Wilson
Joan Bennett	...	Margaret 'Margo' Macomber
Robert Preston	...	Francis Macomber
Reginald Denny	...	Police Inspector
Jean Gillie	...	Aimee
Carl Harbord	...	Coroner
Earl Smith	...	Kongoni
Frederick Worlock	...	Clerk
Vernon Downing	...	Reporter Logan

Storyline

Robert Wilson leads safaris on the Kenyan savanna. On this occasion, he takes Mr. and Mrs. Macomber out to hunt buffalo. The obnoxious ways of Margaret Macomber make the three of them get on each others nerves. During the hunt Francis Macomber is shot by his wife. An accident or an attempt to get rid of Francis?

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Plot Keywords:

safari | hunter | guide | africa | hunting | 

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Taglines:

ERNEST HEMINGWAY'S Great African Adventure Story!

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Genres:

Adventure

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 August 1947 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber

Filming Locations:

Tecate, Baja California Norte, Mexico

Company Credits

Production Co:

Benedict Bogeaus Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Later in life, Gregory Peck lamented that he felt this film was overlooked because it was released in between two of his more well-known films: Duel in the Sun (1946) and Gentleman's Agreement (1947). Despite this film's critical success, Peck felt that it quickly became overlooked and forgotten.

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Goofs

Preston was asked what gun did you bring and he said Holland and Holland. Holland and Holland is a make not a caliber. He should have been asked what type and caliber did you bring.

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Connections

Referenced in Remington Steele: Steele Spawning (1986)

User Reviews

One of the more successful attempts to film a Hemingway story...

THE MACOMBER AFFAIR has to be rated a success for the mere fact that it finally brings a Hemingway story to the screen pretty much intact and the way he wrote it. GREGORY PECK may not be the perfect choice to play the guide escorting a quarrelsome JOAN BENNETT and ROBERT PRESTON on a safari, but he acquits himself well enough in the role.

I found it a lot more satisfying than the later SNOWS OF KILIMINJARO in which Peck again was cast in the lead as a Hemingway white hunter in Africa. Although that film had the advantage of Technicolor and more expensive trappings, THE MACOMBER AFFAIR achieves more of an edge by being photographed in somber B&W, even though some of the stock footage and backgrounds are obviously studio shots.

Bennett is fascinating as the woman full of scorn for her husband and gradually showing her interest in Peck while Preston's resentment begins to turn paranoid. Miklos Rozsa's score gives it a film noir feeling despite the jungle setting--and it becomes a war of nerves before the satisfying conclusion.

Well worth watching for some interesting performances.