Description
Original 1954 US window card, used, folded, stamped (36 x 56 cm)
West of Zanzibar is a 1954 British adventure film directed by Harry Watt and starring Anthony Steel, Sheila Sim and Edric Connor.
It is a sequel to Where No Vultures Fly (1951), from the same director and producer, and continues the adventures of game warden Bob Payton, played again by Anthony Steel. The subject of the film is ivory smuggling, and although the film appears to side with the African natives against economic exploitation, it was banned by the government of Kenya, which considered its approach too paternalistic.
Plot
The rural African Galana tribe move to Mombasa following a drought. The tribe’s peaceful ways are destroyed by the influence of illegal ivory traders. Game warden Bob Payton turns detective, travelling to Zanzibar to discover the ringleader behind the ivory smuggling. Payton tracks his quarry through some of the most treacherous passages of the Zanzibar territory. Despite obstacles which include crocodiles and rhinos, Payton finally corners the villain. The gang’s ringleader has given an African tribe land in return for ivory tusks, but he is repaid for his scheming when the tribe turns on him.
Cast
Anthony Steel – Bob Payton
Sheila Sim – Mary Payton
Edric Connor – Ushington
Orlando Martins – M’Kwongi
William Simons – Tim Payton
Martin Benson – Dhofar
David Osieli – Ambrose
Bethlehem Sketch – Bethlehem
Peter Illing – Yhingoni
Edward Johnson – Halfbreed
Juma – Juma
Howard Marion-Crawford – Wood
Stuart Lindsell – Colonel Ryan
Sheik Abdullah – Dhow captain
Alan Webb – Senior official
Production
At one stage it was planned for the film to be shot in 3-D but this did not happen.
Like the first film, it was shot on location in Africa. The unit arrived in Nairobi in January 1953.
Soundtrack
A popular local dance song during the shoot was a Swahili folk song called “Jambo Sigara Baridl”. The filmmakers liked the melody so much they decided to include it as background music. Then it was decided to prepare an English version of the song, with Anthony Steel singing lead vocals, along with a band, the Radio Revellers. When asked if he could sing, Steel replied, “Apart from making gurgling noises in the bath, I’ve never tried.” Steel recorded the song anyway and it was a success on the charts.
Release
Kenya’s film censors banned the film on the grounds it would hurt race relations in the country.
The film was also banned in India after the protests of African students in that country.
Directed by Harry Watt
Produced by Leslie Norman
Written by Max Catto, Jack Whittingham
Story: Harry Watt
Starring: Anthony Steel, Sheila Sim
Music by Alan Rawsthorne
Cinematography Paul Beeson
Edited by Peter Bezencenet
Production company: Ealing Studios
Distributed by General Film Distributors
Release date: March 1954 (UK)
Country: United Kingdom
