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Shot around 1960 in Kenya's National Park, this film, perhaps unsurprisingly,
makes no reference to the violent Mau Mau Uprising and subsequent British
military action taken in the period 1952-60. The Mau Mau movement were native
Kenyans who rebelled against white colonial rule and killed a number of settlers
during their campaign. Kenya's independence would be declared in 1963, but amid
this political upheaval, The Last Rhino is, plain and simple, a sentimental tale
of children and their love for animals, a popular archetype among Children's
Film Foundation output.
Although it may have nothing to say about global politics, the film is
certainly educational on the subject of indigenous wildlife, featuring lions and
elephants as well as its titular rhino, providing a big screen safari at a time
before even Blue Peter (BBC, 1958- ) began television globetrotting. The people
of Kenya, first seen tribal dancing in scenes reminiscent of pages from National
Geographic magazine, are meanwhile portrayed as rather bloodthirsty natives. The
tribesmen are banned from tribal conflict by their colonial masters and those
who now wish to replace battle with hunting are seen as untrustworthy, deceitful
bad guys while the warden and his young charges are portrayed as steadfast
authority figures. There are a small number of Kenyans among the warden's
retinue, but chef M'Pichi, for instance, is deployed merely for comic
effect.
The acting is basic, with all voices dubbed in studio by other artists
(possibly suggesting silent filming). English actor Maurice Denham voices the
warden and Scots performer Moultrie Kelsall dubs the District Commissioner.
The real stars of the movie are the animals and the vast panoramas of the
National Park, shot in then rare Eastmancolor. Writer/director/producer Henry
Geddes had earlier organised the gorilla expedition of MGM's Mogambo (US, 1953)
and two years later formed his own company, World Safari Ltd, to handle such
overseas filming assignments and second unit shoots. World Safari's first CFF
production was Toto and the Poachers (d. Brian Salt, 1954), the first Foundation
film made in colour. World Safari also later made Eagle Rock (d. Geddes,
1965) - by the time of its release Geddes had become the CFF's Executive
Producer.
Alistair McGown
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1. On safari (2:47)
