In this instance, it's a whopping 35 disc set featuring the films of Clint Eastwood. More specifically the ones released by Warner Bros. Now I've actually worked my way through this set close to 7-6 years ago and I can confirm that there are some all-time classics in here, some hidden gems, some solid efforts and some absolute stinkers. We'll get through all of these in due course.
For those curious the box set looks like this:
Frustratingly, they then re-released said boxset with a smaller box, much to my chagrin.
Regardless, it's now time to crack open the back and re-watch the films when it's their turn to come up and our first foray into this is:
WHITE HUNTER BLACK HEART (1990 dir. Clint Eastwood)
Why I bought it/Why I liked it:
The bought: We already covered that in the introduction. The liked: Well this turned out to be one of those little gems I came in knowing nothing about.
The reason I like Clint Eastwood is his presence on screen, he always delivers a great performance and for me, he just airs that aura of coolness, sort of like how James Dean or Steve McQueen would have for a different generation. In terms of his directing, that's when it takes an even more interesting
turn.
Having fallen in love with his ability to direct in "Unforgiven", as a film student I went back and watched a series of Clint film as a director. The interesting thing is, he'll always cover a broad range of subjects. Be it lighthearted capers about circus folk, troubled jazz musicians, extra-marital affairs or even the 1995 South African Rugby World Cup winners, if the story interests Clint, he'll give it a go.
Case in point with this film released the same year as his last dumb action film "The Rookie", which obviously got more coverage, here is a loose retelling of one man's first-hand encounter of John Huston's time in Africa filming "The African Queen."
For the purposes of the film, all the real-life names have been altered but who they represent is pretty clear as we witness Clint's director, John Wilson (clever), looking to hunt an elephant for the sport of it. What starts off as a mild diversion soon twists itself into an obsession to kill one of these noble creatures and the internal feelings that go alongside it.
As always with most Clint films, it's extremely well-acted and I'm looking forward to revisiting this one, it's a good starting point. I may have been a bit more wearing if we were in the Sondra Locke period...
If I think it'll stay in the collection:
Obviously not discounting that this is part of a boxset and I couldn't remove it this time even if I wanted to, I know that this is a very good movie and am very confident that I'll enjoy it the second time around as much as I did the first time, so let's fire her up...
The review:
It's still a very interesting film to watch.
Clint's portrayal of Wilson/Huston doesn't at all portray him as an evil man. Instead, he is a dry-witted thrill seeker knowing that ultimately that the pursuit of this elephant is wrong, a 'sin', in fact in an excellently delivered piece of the script by Eastwood himself. We see through the course of the film that he stands up for his friend, a Jewish screenwriter when a vile woman begins spouting her racist beliefs. We see him stand up to the hired help when bullied by the white owners in Africa. He even ingratiates himself with the locals.
However, his obsession for hunting the elephant, just so he can do this in his life begins to eat him up, it affects the shooting of the film and many question if he's still fit to deliver what could be considered a masterpiece if just committed to film.
A special mention needs to go out to Jeff Fahey, playing Pete Verrill. He plays the screenwriter and friend of Wilson who witnesses his friend slowly descend into 'madness' over this issue. I always felt bad for Fahey who was a good actor in his own right but seemed to be destined to straight to DVD town following the misstep that was "The Lawnmower Man". I mean Pierce Brosnan came out unscathed and he made two woeful Bond movies.
We see how Wilson's character changes through the course of the film and how his obsession ultimately costs him a friend. Its message is poignant, Wilson is certainly a changed man by the film's end.
The location shooting in Zimbabwe is excellent and there's also some fun to be had by spotting the English actors too. Alun Armstrong! Tim Spall! Ed Tudor-Pole! J.R. Hartley!
Should it stay or should it go?
"White Hunter Black Heart" is a fine example of Eastwood's film making. It pays homage to the creation of "The African Queen" and the characters it represents. It isn't the easiest of films to watch but it does reward the viewer with fine performances and the classic Eastwood touches such as slick editing and cinematography.
All in all I would give this film a solid 7.5 out of 10.
Until next time, I remain,
Matt Major.
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