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The Naked Earth

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The Naked Earth
Theatrical release poster
Directed byVincent Sherman
Written byMilton Holmes
Harold Buchman
Produced byAdrian D. Worker
StarringRichard Todd
Juliette Gréco
John Kitzmiller
Finlay Currie
Laurence Naismith
Christopher Rhodes
CinematographyErwin Hillier
Edited byRussell Lloyd
Music byArthur Benjamin
Production
companies
Foray Films
Four Square Productions
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release dates
  • February 4, 1958 (1958-02-04) (United Kingdom)
  • June 1958 (1958-06) (United States)
Running time
96 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

The Naked Earth is a 1958 British drama film directed by Vincent Sherman and written by Milton Holmes and Harold Buchman.[1] The film stars Richard Todd, Juliette Gréco, John Kitzmiller, Finlay Currie, Laurence Naismith and Christopher Rhodes. The film was released on February 4, 1958, by 20th Century Fox.[2][3][4][5]

Plot

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The action takes place at the end of the nineteenth century, in East Africa. Danny Halloran, a disappointed Irish farmer but a good African meat hunter, comes to find his friend, ex-seaman and now tobacco farmer in his jungle retreat, but fails to do so. He discovers that the farmer died - a victim of the crocodiles - leaving a widow, Maria. Danny falls in love with the young woman and decides to marry her to please Father Finlay Currie and to manage the tobacco plantation.[6] When the harvest fails, he goes hunting for crocodiles to trade their skins.

Cast

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Production

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It was the first of three films Adrian Worker made for his own company in association with 20th Century Fox. Worker said filming proceeded smoothly and was completed on time and on budget.[7]

Richard Todd made it under a four picture deal he had with 20th Century Fox; he and Vinent Sherman had previously made The Hasty Heart together. Filming took place on location in Uganda and at Elstree Studios. According to Todd "the film was obviously turning out well" but "an unpleasant schism was developing between" Vincent Sherman "and the producer, who was also the screenwriter, and relations between them grew progressively worse. The atmosphere on the set became very strained, with Vince doing his best to be patient during some of their arguments but obviously resenting the interference with his plans for editing and cutting the picture." According to Todd Darryl Zanick arrived in London in October and took over editing. "Brilliant film-maker though he was, this was not one of Darryl’s most inspired efforts, as the film became ponderous in places and in the end was not as good as it deserved to be."[8]

References

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  1. ^ O'Brien, Daniel (2017). Black Masculinity on Film: Native Sons and White Lies. Springer. p. 133. ISBN 9781137593238. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  2. ^ Crowther, Bosley (1958-08-29). "Movie Review - - 'Naked Earth' Arrives; Juliette Greco Stars in Drama at Mayfair Richard Todd Is Male Lead in Africa Tale". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
  3. ^ Steve Huey. "The Naked Earth (1958) - Vincent Sherman". AllMovie. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
  4. ^ "Naked Earth". Catalog.afi.com. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
  5. ^ Lentz III, Harris M. (2008). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2002: Film, Television, Radio, Theatre, Dance, Music, Cartoons and Pop Culture. McFarland. p. 156. ISBN 9780786452071. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  6. ^ Gibraltar Chronicle At the Films column; 23/10/1958; Page 3
  7. ^ Fowler, Roy (19 August 1988). "Interview Andy Worker". British Entertainment History Project.
  8. ^ Todd, Richard (1989). In camera : an autobiography continued. Hutchinson. p. 130.
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