Sands of the Kalahari *** (1965, Stanley Baker, Stuart Whitman, Harry Andrews, Susannah York, Theodore Bikel, Nigel Davenport) – Classic Movie Review 7844

Stanley Baker reunites with his Zulu writer-director Cy Endfield for this enjoyable enough, if samey, 1965 adventure yarn Sands of the Kalahari. It was old fashioned in 1965 when the movie scene had changed so much, and had moved on from escapist adventure films to something more relevant and interesting, and, despite a lot of talent involved, it is only just above average.

Based on a novel by William Mulvihill, the story is about survivors hiking to safety (a desert version of John Farrow’s 1939 adventure classic Five Came Back) after their small plane crashes in the scalding, remote South African desert.

However, Stuart Whitman, as the hissable macho man Brian O’Brien, and the battling baboons are enjoyable villains of the piece, while Baker gives a stalwart portrayal as the hero, Mike Bain. And the action is well handled by director Endfield, with top Technicolor cinematography by Erwin Hillier and a notable score by Johnny Dankworth.

Also in the cast are Harry Andrews, Susannah York, Theodore Bikel, Nigel Davenport, and Barry Lowe.

Sands of the Kalahari is directed by Cy Endfield, runs 119 minutes, is made by Joseph M Schenck Enterprises and Pendennis Productions, is released by Paramount, is written by Cy Endfield, Based on a novel by William Mulvihill, is shot in Technicolor by Erwin Hillier, is produced by Joseph E Levine, Cy Endfield and Stanley Baker, is scored by Johnny Dankworth, and is designed by Seamus Flannery and George Provis.

It was shot at Almería, Andalucía, Spain; Swakopmund, Erongo, Namibia; and Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK.

Endfield and Baker also made Hell Drivers (1957) and Sea Fury (1958) together.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7844

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