THE ROOTS OF HEAVEN

US, 1958, 128 minutes, Colour.
Trevor Howard, Juliette Greco, Errol Flynn, Eddie Albert,
Orson Welles, Paul Lukas, Herbert Lom, Gregoire Aslan.
Directed by John Huston.

The Roots of Heaven is a conservation film. It was directed by John Huston - but critics have seen the film as one of his poorest. It was produced by Daryl F. Zanuck at 20th Century Fox in the late '50s and has excellent credits. The screenplay is written by Romain Gary and Patrick Leigh-Fermor?, based on Gary's novel. The Cinemascope photography is by Oswald Morris. There is a musical score by Malcolm Arnold. There is a strong international cast. However, the film, while spectacular, is fairly piece meal and there is a great deal of rhetoric about conservation in Africa rather than the message coming through the action and the characters.

Trevor Howard is earnest in the central role. Errol Flynn does one of his genial mercenary roles (not long before his death). Eddie Albert is good as a reporter and Orson Welles has a few moments as a large media tycoon. Juliette Greco is the put-upon heroine. The theme is interesting, relevant to succeeding generations - but the film seems rather overblown.

1. Interesting film? Enjoyable? Action adventure? Message film about conservation?

2. The quality of the African location, photography? Cinemascope? The atmosphere of the African towns, villages? The open plains, African flora and fauna? The action sequences? Musical score?

3. The title? The conservation theme? The strength and power of the message? The focus on Morrell? Trevor Howard's determined authentic playing of the character? His idealism? His presence in Africa? His petitions to the French government? His stances against the slaughter of elephants? His moving amongst people with his petition and their laughing at him? The encounter with Sedgewick and his wounding him? His attacks on people on safari? The woman hunter? The government taking action against him? His going to the hills? The range of people who joined him? His being joined by Waitari? His using Morrell's campaign for political purposes? The friendship with Minna? With Forsythe? Ammunition, supplies? The printing of the leaflet? The distribution of it? The clash with Waitari and his betrayal of Morrell? Abe Fields and his covering the story, sharing the marches?

4. The encounter with the herd of elephants, the clash with Habib and the ivory dealers? The battle? Forsythe's death? Their being taken prisoner by Waitari? The negotiations? The long march? Minna's illness and their going to the hospital? The good reception by the administrator? Morrell moving on into the bush on his quest? A credible character? Campaigner?

5. Forsythe and his ex-army status, his drinking? Good comrade? His supporting Forsythe? The clashes in the bar? His going, on the march with him? The battles? Forsythe's military ability? His death? The latter days of an Errol Flynn-Ernest? Hemingway African hero?

6. Minna and her work in the local club, the hostess? Liaisons? Her being drawn to Morrell? Defending him? Going with him and sharing the experience? His attachment to her? The battles? Her illness? His leaving her?

7. The American media: Orson Welles' cameo as Sedgewick, the satire on the American point of view, media coverage and sensationalism? The contrast with Abe Fields and his going on the expedition with Morrell? Participating in the action?

8. The property owners and their cynical attitudes towards Morrell? The attitudes of Saint-Dennis?, of Orsini? Their reaction to the pamphlets, his campaigns?

9. The sketch of the officials in Africa, the missionaries and their attitudes, support?

10. Waitari and the political difficulties with the European authorities, tribal warfare, political ends, military?

11. Habib and the ivory hunters, the hunting of the elephants, the confrontation with Morrell?

12. The dialogue and its rhetoric, Morrell's speeches, impassioned rhetoric? persuasive?

13. The worthiness of the cause? The lack of persuasion in the spectacular treatment?