Hatari! (1962)

68% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(8,314 ratings)

Hatari! is Swahili for "danger"--and also the word for action, adventure and broad comedy in this two-fisted Howard Hawks effort. John Wayne stars as the head of a daring Tanganyka-based group which captures wild animals on behalf of the world's zoos. Hardy Kruger, Gérard Blain and Red Buttons are… More Hatari! is Swahili for "danger"--and also the word for action, adventure and broad comedy in this two-fisted Howard Hawks effort. John Wayne stars as the head of a daring Tanganyka-based group which captures wild animals on behalf of the world's zoos. Hardy Kruger, Gérard Blain and Red Buttons are members of Wayne's men-only contingent, all of whom are reduced to jello when the curvaceous Elsa Martinelli enters the scene. In tried and true Howard Hawks fashion, Martinelli quickly becomes "one of the guys," though Wayne apparently can't say two words to her without sparking an argument. The second half of this amazingly long (159 minute) film concerns the care and maintenance of a baby elephant; the barely credible finale is devoted to a comic pachyderm stampede down an urban African street, ending literally at the foot of Martinelli's bed. The other scene worth mentioning involves comedy-relief Red Buttons' efforts to create a fireworks-powered animal trap. Not to be taken seriously for a minute, Hatari is attractively packaged and neatly tied up with a danceable-pranceable theme song by Henry Mancini. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 2 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Howard Hawks
Written By: Harry Kurnitz, Leigh Brackett
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: May 24, 1962 Wide
On DVD: Jul 24, 2001
Studio: Howard Hawks

Critic Reviews

, Variety
The strapping physique of the film unhappily emphasizes the anemic condition of the story streaming within.
, Chicago Reader
A broader canvas for the interaction of comedy and drama than its immediate predecessor (Rio Bravo), this is both discursive and leisurely.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
This late masterpiece (1962) by Howard Hawks transcends every literary value in the book to become a brilliantly entertaining and insightful work of pure cinema.
A.H. Weiler, New York Times
Perhaps the accent on the trapping of free-roaming critters for use in zoos is a mite too heavy, but this aspect of African business rates the attention it receives here.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Richly entertaining, with vivid characters.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The story is nothing more than a poor excuse for what Hawks really seems to be interested in presenting--big-game chases over the Kenyan veldt. These sequences are so well done that they save this otherwise-tepid film.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Colorful John Wayne Africa-based yarn w/slapstick, adventure, animals, and great Mancini score.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Hawks continues to explore his favorite themes--professional conduct and male camaraderie--in this African travelogue abouyt an international team of animals catchers, headed by John Wayne. Though plotless, the film is visually compelling.
Derek Adams, Time Out
All in all, one of those rare films that genuinely constitutes a 'late masterpiece'.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Overlong [!]
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International
Exciting remake of Red Dust with exceptional African photography
Staci Layne Wilson, StaciWilson.com
The Duke dukes it out with African animals.
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Cute elephants.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Too long, but highly entertaining personality film
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
Corny but vastly entertaining with terrific wildlife photography and a great score by Henry Mancini
Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide
John Wayne stars in an African travelogue.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jens S

Howard Hawk's classic safari adventure may be set in Africa and have plenty of huge scenes of men in cars chasing down animals. If you take that away, it is basically a romantic comedy, though. It is highly amusing to see what men turn into when a new female enters their… More
Howard Hawk's classic safari adventure may be set in Africa and have plenty of huge scenes of men in cars chasing down animals. If you take that away, it is basically a romantic comedy, though. It is highly amusing to see what men turn into when a new female enters their territory and the little fights that causes. The lovable characters and light-hearted mood of the film make for a very entertaining experience. While the action sequence of the animal hunts do get a bit repetitive, they are still impressively filmed, look and feel real without a lot of special effect that'd probably be used today. The film easily could have been 15 minutes shorter, but it's still a lovable and charming experience to spend two hours with that crew of characters.
Jason O

I'd like to see a lot more John Wayne movies in the future, but for now this is the only one I know I've seen right off the bat, and I enjoyed it a lot. It has a sort of love story to it, but the parts I remember most are when Wayne and the others are chasing a bunch of… More
I'd like to see a lot more John Wayne movies in the future, but for now this is the only one I know I've seen right off the bat, and I enjoyed it a lot. It has a sort of love story to it, but the parts I remember most are when Wayne and the others are chasing a bunch of animals. It's like a fast-paced African safari!
Dean M

Great film, still enjoyable, with a fine blend of action, romance, and comedy with John wayne in Africa for zoo-supplying animal hunting. And Red Buttons is so funny guy.
Ken S

Solid Howard Hawks comedy/adventure. Extra points for catching all of the monkeys with a rocket. This movie is where "Baby Elephant Walk" by Mancini first appeared
xGary X

Maybe it's the unbelievably patronising and racist attitude towards the locals. Maybe it's the fact that the whole experience revolves around cruelty to/butchery of animals. Maybe it's the f***witted machismo and misogyny of the entire genre. But I f***ing HATE safari… More
Maybe it's the unbelievably patronising and racist attitude towards the locals. Maybe it's the fact that the whole experience revolves around cruelty to/butchery of animals. Maybe it's the f***witted machismo and misogyny of the entire genre. But I f***ing HATE safari films...