The Southern Star (1969)

In 1912 West Africa, diamond tycoon Kramer hires penniless American fortune hunter Dan Rockland, who's posing as a geologist, but when a huge diamond is found, everyone wants to steal it.

Directors:

Sidney Hayers, Orson Welles (uncredited)

Writers:

David Pursall (screenplay), Jack Seddon (screenplay)

Stars:

George Segal, Ursula Andress, Orson Welles

Cast

Complete credited cast:
George Segal	...	Dan
Ursula Andress	...	Erica Kramer
Orson Welles	...	Plankett
Ian Hendry	...	Karl
Johnny Sekka	...	Matakit
Michel Constantin	...	Jose
Georges Géret	...	Andre (as George Geret)
Sylvain Levignac	...	Louis (as Sylvain)
Charles Lamb	...	Todd
Guy Delorme	...	Michael
Harry Andrews	...	Kramer

Storyline

Comedy adventure based on a Jules Verne novel about the ups and downs of jewel thieves in the wilds of Africa circa 1900. George Segal is the appealing hero-heel and Ursula Andress is visually stunning as the lady in the proceedings. Orson Welles has a small role.

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Plot Keywords:

diamond | africa | geologist | foreign language adaptation | shower | 

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Taglines:

Remember how "Cat Ballou" took the wild west for a ride...now "The Southern Star" takes off in wildest Africa

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

M/PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The rope bridge over the river is still intact in the Niokolo Koba National Park in Senegal and supports up to four people.

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Quotes

Erica Kramer: I'm trying to wash away a memory!

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: FRENCH WEST AFRICA 1912

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Soundtracks

The Train To Adventure
(uncredited)
Written and Performed by Georges Garvarentz Et Son Orchestre

User Reviews

is it a madcap caper or a serious chase to the death?

Part of the Orson Welles Collection from Mill Creek DVD, this one opens with Dan (George Segal , the boss on "Just Shoot Me") sleeping on a cot, at a diamond mine; the book he was reading says "Geology for Beginners", so clearly he can't be trusted. The workers have found a giant diamond, and Dan arbitrarily decides that it is a genuine, valuable diamond. The beautiful Ursula Andress, famous for the James Bond films, and of course posing in Playboy, is in here. She is Erica, the daughter of the local rich man "Kramer", who has purchased or taken the diamond. Everybody is after the diamond, and wacky hyjinx follow. A hokey bar-room brawl. Ian Hendry seems to be the local deputy, but also seems to be involved in the shenanigans, as well as being Erica's ex. All rather confusing. Lots of old, faded, stock animal footage from old Africa, although it looks like some of the critters might be from Australia. or not. They end all up at the compound of "Plankett", a smaller role for Orson Welles. Good performance from Johnny Sekka.

Much female frontal nudity at the native dance scene. Jules Verne gets writing credit, but apparently it is a rewrite of an earlier novel. Directed by Sidney Hayers, who had worked on some films and whole lot of TV. A good watch... not anything spectacular, but it does have a comical flair to it. With the upbeat music, it's more of a madcap caper than a serious manhunt to the death.

Details

Country:

UK France

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 May 1969 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Southern Star

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Euro-France Films, Capitole Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor: France) Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1