RAISING DAISY ROTHSCHILD (THE LAST GIRAFFE)

UK, 1979, 120 minutes, Colour.
Susan Anspach, Simon Ward, Gordon Jackson.
Directed by Jack Couffeur.

Raising Daisy Rothschild is a pleasant pro-conservation film. It bears strong resemblance to Born Free and the other Virginia McKenna-Bill? Travers films: Ring of Bright Water, An Elephant Called Slowly. In fact Ring of Bright Water was directed by the present film's director, Jack Couffer (director of The Darwin Adventure). Based on a book by the husband and wife team portrayed in the film, the emphasis is on the preservation of giraffes, specifically the Rothschild giraffes in Kenya. Susan Anspach plays with some vivacity the photo-journalist-turned conservationist. Simon Ward, rather restrainedly and genially, plays the polio-affected hero.

Gordon Jackson has a very good role as an animal poacher. The film's screenplay runs along predictable enough lines - but it is quite well done and the presentation of the giraffes and the African scenery is attractive. The film joins the Born Free group in alerting audience attention to the world's animal heritage.

1. An interesting and entertaining film? The presentation of Jock and Betty and their work in Africa? The presentation of the giraffes and wildlife? The Rothschild giraffes?

2. Colour photography, Nairobi and the Kenyan locations? The atmosphere of Africa, homesteads, poachers, the open fields and the animals? The interaction of the animals in their environment? Special effects for the animal sequences? The musical score?

3. The Born Free tradition of husband and wife looking after animals? How well did this film compare with Born Free and the others? Entertainment, message? How persuasive?

4. The film is based on real life? Betty and her arrival in Africa, American background, divorce? Her photo-journalism - and the humour of the encounter at the airport and her declaring her amateur status? Her taking photographs, the initial encounter with the poachers and Ian Fielding? The encounter with Jock? Her being caught up in the atmosphere? Her interest in the baby giraffes? Her antagonism towards Fielding? Jock's friends, the officials in Nairobi? Her growing involvement - and emotional attachment? The safari with Jock? Falling in love with him? The marriage - in the traditional African style? Her throwing herself into the African life? Preservation off the giraffes? Clashes with Fielding? The encounter with guard 1 - with the background of his family? Her clash with him - and her being in the wrong? The qualities of the marriage. interaction with Jock? Support for him - and his lame arm? The decision to drove the animals and collect them? Her contribution to the preservation of the giraffes? The effect of her experience in Africa, awareness of the animal heritage?

5. Jock as hero - his background in Africa - his sense of belonging, his awareness of the changes in the '70s - political, racial-Friendship with Fielding and membership of the club yet differing in values? His farmer friends? The prospect of farms and the dying out of the animals? Safaris and guiding people? Falling in love with Betty? The wedding and its effect on him? Setting up house? The decision to save the animals? The tending of Daisy and its effect on Betty, her pampering it like a child? The comments on animal and humans? His decision to help in the droving of the giraffes - and the opportunity for some heroism despite his arm?

6. Ian Fielding as villain - Gordon Jackson's suave rugged style? The initial encounter and his lies, the encounter in the clubs? His antagonism? His racial and political attitudes? His opposition as regards the giraffes? His hold over Kamil? Kamil's returning to him and the final confrontation and Fielding killing him? The points made through Fielding as villain?

7. Kamil and his talent as a poacher? Work for Fielding? His wife and the many children? Seeing them in the village? His justifying his trust with Betty and Jock? His skill in tending the giraffes? His seeming hurt of Daisy when she left? Betty's irrational anger? His returning to Jock - and the pathos of his death? Reconciliation with Betty?

8. Jock's friend and the prospect of the farm, his being injured, his support for the droving? The discussion with the authorities in Nairobi?

9. The collage of sequences with the looking after of Daisy? Audiences sharing Betty's and Jock's sentiments? The decision to help preserve the giraffes?

10. Themes of conservation, nature, the animal heritage? The importance of the balance of nature? Decisions affecting poaching, transition of land for farming? The humanising of animals? The impact on the wide audience?