White Hunter Black Heart (1990)

A thinly fictionalized account of a legendary movie director, whose desire to hunt down an animal turns into a grim situation with his movie crew in Africa.

Director:

Clint Eastwood

Writers:

Peter Viertel (novel), Peter Viertel (screenplay)

Stars:

Clint Eastwood, Jeff Fahey, Charlotte Cornwell

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Clint Eastwood	...	John Wilson
Jeff Fahey	...	Pete Verrill
Charlotte Cornwell	...	Miss Wilding, Wilson's Secretary
Norman Lumsden	...	Butler George
George Dzundza	...	Paul Landers
Edward Tudor-Pole	...	Reissar - a British Partner (as Edward Tudor Pole)
Roddy Maude-Roxby	...	Thompson, British Partner
Richard Warwick	...	Basil Fields, British Partner
John Rapley	...	Gun Shop Salesman
Catherine Neilson	...	Irene Saunders
Marisa Berenson	...	Kay Gibson, Film Star
Richard Vanstone	...	Phil Duncan, Film Star
Jamie Koss	...	Mrs. Duncan
Anne Dunkley	...	Scarf Girl in Nightclub Show
David Danns	...	Bongo Man in Nightclub Show

Storyline

The world famous movie Director John Wilson (Clint Eastwood) has gone to Africa to make his next movie. He is an obstinate, contrary director who'd rather hunt elephants than take care of his crew or movie. He has become obsessed with one particular elephant and cares for nothing else.

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Plot Keywords:

based on true story | director | elephant | africa | antonyms in title | 

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Taglines:

An adventure in obsession...

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

George Dzundza and Jeff Fahey had recently appeared in Impulse (1990) which was directed by Clint Eastwood's then soon-to-be ex Sondra Locke, who said of the casting: "It was especially strange as Clint had bad-mouthed them to me when I originally cast them in Impulse. About George he said, "I don't know why you want to cast him as a cop. He's fat!" About Jeff he said, "Why would you cast that 'pretty boy'."

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Goofs

In the scene where the first day of shooting is interrupted by rain, the rain was created using a special rig, which is a common practice in film in order to make sure there's rain on schedule. During the shot where Lockhart talks about the rainy season, in the background you can clearly see that the wet ground reaches a sudden end a few metres away and beyond it everything is perfectly dry.

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Quotes

John Wilson: Goodbye, you worthless son of a bitch. Goodbye, you pearl of Central East Africa. Goodbye, you lake flies. Goodbye, you flat-chested, bucktoothed women. Goodbye, forever.

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Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: Ilsa, the Wicked Warden (2014)

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Soundtracks

Massa's In de Cold Cold Ground
(uncredited)
Written by Stephen Foster
Arranged by Lennie Niehaus

User Reviews

Eastwood plays Huston

This film is based on a book by Peter Viertel who worked with Huston on a number of projects. He shares writing credit with Huston on We Were Strangers. The book and film give us Viertel's version of what it was like to work with the great John Huston on The African Queen. Viertel finally bailed out and Huston and cast somehow managed to create a masterpiece. Eastwood plays the fictional representation of Huston to the hilt, creating one of his most memorable roles. This is a film that you have to work at. If you know a little of the history, though, it is well worth seeing.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 September 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

White Hunter Black Heart

Filming Locations:

Hwange, Matabeleland North Province, Zimbabwe

Box Office

Budget:

$24,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$165,450, 16 September 1990

Gross USA:

$2,319,124

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,319,124

Company Credits

Production Co:

Malpaso Productions, Rastar Pictures, Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1