Sands of the Kalahari (1965)

SANDS OF THE KALAHARI is an absorbing, retro action adventure about of group of random people who survive a chartered plane crash in the wilds of an African desert. Their pack leader is Stuart Whitman who devolves to a brutal animal -all the better to fight the bloodthirsty baboons circling their make-shift encampment. But when the final confrontation comes, will it result in justice or revenge or rescue? The Blu-ray disc looks great. This much-wanted cult classic finally arrives with no fanfare and no extras. Fine direction from Cy Enfield, a great cast, stunning African location as well as the fierce colony of baboons add immensely to the authenticity of this riveting survival drama.

This film is a classic from the mid 1960s. It is a struggle for survival under adverse conditions. It begins in a very similar manner to "Flight of the Phoenix" (in fact both films were made at about the same time) in which a plane with a handful of passengers crashes in the desert, this one caused by locusts.

The characters consist of several men and one woman, namely Susannah York. The search for food and water along with fighting the elements becomes critical. Stuart Whitman's character assumes leadership of the group in an aggressive and autocratic style while Stanley Baker endeavours to ensure everyone's safety.

Inevitably tensions between these two lead to violence in the fight for control (shades of "Lord of the Flies").

I won't give away the ending, but it is quite alarming. This movie is exciting and well put together with superb character development and well worthwhile watching.

Buy Sands of the Kalahari (1965) Now

Long ago, I saw this as a child back in the Sixties when it was shown on television. Decades later, with the internet available to track it down, I finally got a knock-off DVD of it. Now I am excited to see it has been given the final glorybluray!

This is one of those excellent plane-crash in remote areas genre of films from the Fifties and Sixties. The cast is terrific, the location is gloriously desolate, and then there's those baboons. My favorite character is Whitman's who devolves into a primal man, willingly abandoning civilization. There seems to be a backstory to him, but that is left as a mystery.

And now an observation after viewing this fine film 40 years later. And this is a spoiler, so don't read further if you haven't seen it. When O'Brian has his final battle, I had always assumed the worst. But, as he did kill the leader, what if the others are not attacking him, but gathering to recognize the new baboon king? This would complete his devolution. Just a comforting thought opposed to the horror of what probably happened.

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This is a film I have waited years to see on DVD. It's finally here and this copy is excellent and not a rip-off or bad dupe from an old VHS. The story still holds up and it's a great addition to my collection. If you enjoy adventure, suspense, a little sex and lots of psychological conflict, get this very entertaining film.

Want Sands of the Kalahari (1965) Discount?

The great Stanley Baker/Cy Endfield team that produced "Zulu" the year before, released this pic in 1965. Although similar to "Flight of the Phoenix" released

the same year (with an all-star cast and huge budget), this more modest film is, in

my opinion, much superior.

Stanley Baker was always one of my favorite actors. He had a noble bearing not unlike Lawrence Olivier although he was originally cast in working-class parts like

the lorry driver in the excellent "Hell Drivers" (incidentially featuring a cast of

future superstars). His death at the early age of 48 left a void in British cinema

that has never quite been filled.

The original releasing company was Paramount. The cast is terrific, including

Harry Andrews, Theodore Bikel, Nigel Davenport, and the late Susannah York. The

much underrated Stuart Whitman has never been better. I feel this is his finest role. I only wish the DVD had a commentary by Whitman, Bikel, and/or Davenport,

the only surviving actors from the film. When these folks are gone it's too late

and the only sources of first-hand memories are forever lost.

The music score is fantastic and is composed by the late great Johhny Dankworth.

It is stark, haunting, and totally suitable for this film unlike many of the mundane cookie-cutter scores in current flicks.

This is an unforgettable film suggesting a sense of time and place. You will not

see a film like this made now because it is really a low-key character study and

almost too cerebral for today's dumbed-down audiences. A keeper-don't miss it.

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