Sammy Going South [A Boy Ten Feet Tall] *** (1963, Edward G Robinson, Fergus McClelland, Constance Cummings) – Classic Movie Review 11,232

‘Incredible Adventure in a Land That Knows a Thousand Dangers!’

Director Alexander Mackendrick’s 1963 adventure Sammy Going South [A Boy Ten Feet Tall] is based on the novel by W H Canaway and is a heartwarming children’s tale about 10-year-old orphaned Sammy Hartland (Fergus McClelland)’s eventful 4,500-mile travels on his own from the Suez Canal to his aunt Gloria van Imhoff (Constance Cummings) in Durban, South Africa.

The nice little boy, canny acting, sweet story, attractive locations, Erwin Hillier’s colour cinematography and Edward G Robinson as a wily old diamond smuggler make this a worthwhile trip.

Director Mackendrick made several other fine films featuring children: Mandy, The Maggie and A High Wind in Jamaica.

Also in the cast are Harry H Corbett, Paul Stassino and Zia Mohyeddin, Orlando Martins, John Turner, Zena Walker, Jack Gwillim, Patricia Donahue, Jared Allen, Guy Deghy, Marne Maitland, and Steven Scott.

It runs a lengthy 118 minutes but it was cut to 88 minutes for US release.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,232

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com