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 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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 September 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cazador blanco, corazón negro

Filming Locations:

Hwange, Matabeleland North Province, Zimbabwe

Box Office

Budget:

$24,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$165,450, 16 September 1990, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Clint Eastwood vocalization characterization in this picture is very different to the way audiences usually hear his voice. Eastwood speaks in director John Huston's very idiosyncratic matter which is done by way of drawing out the vowels in words.

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Goofs

When John Wilson is talking to Pete Verrill over breakfast he refers to him as 'Jeff', Jeff Fahey being the real name of the actor.

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Quotes

John Wilson: Wake me up if we crash into the mountain. I wouldn't want to miss that.

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

SATIN DOLL
Written by Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer and Billy Strayhorn

User Reviews

Eastwood is good (as usual) in an uneven film

White Hunter, Black Heart both left me confused as well as breathless. The movie, that I saw earlier this year on television, struck me as deep yet peculiar. Clint Eastwood, in one of his most memorable roles ever, John Wilson, goes out to shoot an elephant while what he really should be doing is shoot a Hollywood movie in the 1950s.

The only person on the crew who shares his view and almost understand him is Pete Verril (Jeff Fahey), a writer brought on to improve the script. Although Pete supports Wilson, Pete realizes that the hunt of an elephant is more than just an adventure for Wilson, but an obsession. Wilson is willing to compromise the entire crew's careers and futures just to commit "the only legal sin."

The movie has certain themes, including conservation, obsession and movie-making theories. The themes aren't explored too well, which explains the muddled ending. But still this is an enjoyable film.

Based on a novel by Peter Viertel, based on his experiences while filming the African Queen, the film is either going to grip you from the start, or bore you to death. You'll ever like it or forget it. The ending takes a little figuring out (especially at mentioning the title), but people who like movies about film making and Africa should like this.