Movie Memories – Hatari – Evergreen Wildlife Classic

HATARI

The Evergreen Wildlife Classic

Movie Memories 

By 

VIKRAM KARVE 

When I was a small boy – in the early 1960s – I lived in Pune – on Tilak Road – near Madiwale Colony – in Sadashiv Peth. 

Pune was a lovely place – and – life was good. 

It was easy to be happy – because our threshold of happiness was low.

Yes – our threshold of happiness was so low – that simple things filled us with joy – like a morning run up Parvati Hill – a stroll in Talyatla Ganpati Saras Baug Garden – enjoying the frolics of animals in the Peshwe Park Zoo which was then located near today’s Saras Baug – a ride in the toy-train Phulrani – unrestrained playing with carefree abandon on the swings, see-saws and slides in adjoining park – eating a yummy bhel made by the hugely bearded Kalpana Bhelwala on Parvati Chowk on Tilak Road – a cream-roll or doughnut at Ashok Bakery – Patties, Nankatai and Khari at Hindustan Bakery – Ice Cream at Bua, Kaware and Ganu Shinde – so many things to do – and once in a while – we would bicycle all the way to Pune Camp via Laxmi Road to partake the inimitable non-veg samosas and tea at Naaz – Chinese at Kamling – Paan at George – and enjoy a Hollywood Movie and “Ice Cream Soda” at West End Cinema. 

Oh yes – West End Cinema – I vividly remember seeing my first ever movie sitting on those inimitable easy chairs – and sipping deliciously fizzy ice cream soda in the interval – at West End’s famous soda fountain. 

The name of the movie was HATARI – and till today – Hatari remains my all time favourite Wild-Life Adventure Film. 

A man’s first love always has an enduring place in his heart.

Likewise – a man’s first movie remains etched in his memories forever. 

So - a few years ago – when I chanced upon a DVD of Hatari – I immediately brought it home – and I relived fond memories of my first movie experience – albeit with an improvised home-made icecream soda. 

HATARI is sheer fun – a clean entertaining film – which can be enjoyed by people of all ages – from kids to grandparents. 

It is a spectacular adventure story – fast paced, exciting, thrilling – beautifully filmed on locations with real wildlife – amidst exceptionally picturesque scenery – featuring hunting scenes which are simply astonishing. 

Once you start watching Hatari – you are so engrossed – that you remain glued to the screen from start to finish.   

“Hatari” – in Swahili – means Danger – and true to its name – the movie keeps you enthralled with a sense of mesmerizing danger – as you watch the amazing hunting scenes featuring speeding jeeps, stampeding animals and the rugged African terrain. 

Everything looks real and authentic – real animals, giraffes, leopards, elephants – and many others – in their pristine glory and natural surroundings – like you have never seen them before. 

Hatari is a simple story of a group of hunters in Africa – led by the inimitable John Wayne – who capture wild animals for zoos. 

The movie begins with a fantastic scene showing John Wayne and his team driving speeding jeeps and trucks across the empty, dusty plains, herding dozens of rhinos, trying to lasso one of the most difficult wild animals to catch. 

It is sheer spine-tingling thrilling entertainment. 

Hatari has those rare, pleasant, naturally authentic settings – clear easy-on-the-eye photography – interesting happenings and gripping action – which we do not see nowadays – in modern adventure films – which often overtax the viewer’s senses – by having too many “special effects”.

 

Hatari’s simple plot – the camaraderie – the light romance – the subtle comedy – the delightful music (especially the foot tapping number "Baby Elephant Walk") – the visually enthralling scenery – and the fascinating animals – make this film a thoroughly enjoyable viewing experience. 

Hatari is a fun movie – pure entertainment – a visual treat with beautiful eye catching landscape – and plenty of thrilling action – the ideal feel-good movie for you to enjoy with your entire family. 

Have you watched Hatari...? 

If yes – do watch it again.

If no – what are you waiting for...? 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
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This movie review written by me in the year 2009 and posted online earlier by me at urls: http://vikramwamankarve.blogspot.in/2009/03/nostalgic-pune-memories-hatari.html  and  http://creative.sulekha.com/hatari_401138_blog  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/11/hatari-evergreen-wild-life-classic.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/07/classic-movies-hatari-childhood.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/07/movie-memories-hatari.html