• Producer Roscoe C. Behrmann can be glimpsed in the film as one of the surveyors who rescue Darren McGavin in the desert (he is the one holding the measuring pole).
• The tune that Alison Seebohm plays on the piano is the film’s title theme tune.
• Michael McGovern (“Jack”) sings the title theme tune.
• David Millin made his mark as a cameraman in the long running African Mirror newsreel, made by African Film Productions in Johannesburg, South Africa.

2) I can enjoy racial humour if it’s genuinely funny, but "The AfricanDodger" is racist without raising a snicker. It’s an anti-black filmwith an all-white cast.

In the early twentieth century, many American carnivals and fun fairsfeatured an "African Dodger". This was a Negro (usually genuine,sometimes a white man in blackface) who would stick his head through ahole and taunt the suckers, who paid a nickel for the privilege ofthrowing baseballs at the African Dodger. The dodger would (usually)pull his head out of the hole in time to avoid getting hit, butsometimes he wasn’t fast enough. African Dodgers were so commonplacethat some sadistic people would bring a hard (wooden or iron) ball intoany carnival that came to town, knowing they’d have a chance to throwit at a black man’s head and cause him serious injury. To be an AfricanDodger was a nasty job that no man took unless he was desperate.Allegedly, the African Dodger always "had to be" a black man (or awhite man in blackface), because the bruises wouldn’t show against darkskin.

Spencer Tracy (in blackface!) does an African Dodger routine in hisearly film "Dante’s Inferno", which is a much better movie than thisone.

In "The African Dodger", the annoying squawk-voiced comedian(?) TomHoward plays a man on a carnival midway who gets suckered intosubstituting for the African Dodger. Fortunately, he doesn’t put onblackface. That’s the only good thing about this movie. It stinks. EvenAmos ‘n’ Andy are positive role models compared to this film. I don’trecommend this movie at all, and I rate it an absolute zero. Even ifyou like racial jokes, this movie isn’t funny.

Goofy’s AFRICAN DIARY tells of his misadventures with someofthe continent’s most dangerous game.

This humorous little film provides several chuckles as Goofytriesto act like a Great White Hunter. The depiction of the safari astinydots racing over a landscaped map of Africa is especiallyamusing,as is the sophisticated narration which is completely atvariancewith the on-screen action. The story was written by Bill Peet,laterto become a celebrated children’s author.

Walt Disney (1901-1966) was always intrigued by pictures&drawings. As a lad in Marceline, Missouri, he sketchedfarmanimals on scraps of paper; later, as an ambulance driverinFrance during the First World War, he drew comic figures onthesides of his vehicle. Back in Kansas City, along with artistUbIwerks, Walt developed a primitive animation studio thatprovidedanimated commercials and tiny cartoons for the local movietheaters. Always the innovator, his ALICE IN CARTOONLANDseries broke ground in placing a live figure in a cartoonuniverse.Business reversals sent Disney & Iwerks to Hollywood in1923,where Walt’s older brother Roy became his lifelong businessmanager & counselor. When a mildly successful series withOswald The Lucky Rabbit was snatched away by the distributor,the character of Mickey Mouse sprung into Walt’s imagination,ensuring Disney’s immortality. The happy arrival of soundtechnology made Mickey’s screen debut, STEAMBOAT WILLIE(1928), a tremendous audience success with its use ofsynchronized music. The SILLY SYMPHONIES soon appeared,andWalt’s growing crew of marvelously talented animators werequickly conquering new territory with full color, illusions ofdepthand radical advancements in personality development, an arenainwhich Walt’s genius was unbeatable. Mickey’s feisty, naughtybehavior had captured millions of fans, but he was soon tobejoined by other animated companions: temperamental DonaldDuck, intellectually-challenged Goofy and energetic Pluto. Allthiswas in preparation for Walt’s grandest dream – featurelengthanimated films. Against a blizzard of doomsayers, Waltpersevered and over the next decades delighted children ofallages with the adventures of Snow White, Pinocchio, Dumbo,Bambi & Peter Pan. Walt never forgot that his fortunes wereallstarted by a mouse, or that childlike simplicity of messageandlots of hard work always pay off.

2) This short only stars Goofy on a safari in Africa. His diary tells us howthey travel and one day they cross a pool which they and other animalsuseto drink from. The next day Goofy also takes a swim in the pool, a funnysequence. The day after that he goes on a little field trip with one ofhisboys and they come face to face with a big rhino. It is a funny cartoonbutnot a great one. 7/10.

3) In this cartoon, Goofy keeps a diary about his trip to the dark continent ofAfrica. The boat he is travelling on reaches the ivory coast (made out ofpiano keys) and he sets up camp. About the only action in this short wasthe scene where Goofy and a fellow hunter (a Goofy look-alike) go hunting onthe African savanna. They encounter a rhino who charges after them. Therewas a scene where Goofy points a gun at the rhino and then checks to see ifhe has a permit to shoot (this bit has been deleted due to it not beingpolitically correct). One part I thought was funny was where Goofy wasnarrating his diary and telling us about the different animals that came upto the waterhole by his camp for a drink. One of them happened to be noneother than Goofy himself. Great short, butI think I would’ve liked it better if it had not been edited.

Most of the time, "L’Africain" is a delightful film. The storyline is thinbut the actors carry it with panache and the scenery is spectacular.Charlotte (Catherine Deneuve) flies to East-Africa in order to build atouristic center near the Lake Williams where the pygmys live. Here shemeets her husband Victor (Philippe Noiret), a devoted conservationist wholeft her three years ago to live in the jungle. Can you imagine hisenthusiasm when she arrives at the conclusion that the ideal place tobuiltthis holiday resort is his kitchen garden? A sacrilege in his eyes! Butevenhis good buddy, the british stewart who is always prepared to do him agoodturn quickly becomes a convert after Charlotte makes eyes at him andallowsher to explore the country. From then on, Charlotte and Victor have todealwith herds of elephants, villainous ivory smugglers and voraciouscrocodiles. They sail on the African Queen II and meet the pygmys atlast.

What I liked especially about this film apart from the performances wasthefact that it bears no similarity with the usual Hollywood products like"Outof Africa". This film is completely irreverent and offers an amusinglymalicious look at the remains of the colonial age long past gone, like thethreadbare elegance of the "Grand Hotel de Paris" where Victor, dressed inhis smoking, consumes his oysters. However, I have to add a warning: Thisfilm may hurt sensibilities. Don’t expect of a french film of 1983 toapplythe same standards of political correctness as a U.S. release of 2003. Thenatives in this film live in rusty iron-shacks, and when Deneuve complainsat one point that they are poor, Noiret replies: "Shall we put them insocial homes and feed them hamburgers?" Political incorrectness or gallowshumor? The language is salty at times: When Noiret falls in a torrentialriver after villains cut the ropes of a rope-bridge, Deneuve shouts:"I wasso afraid because of you. Why didn’t you make me a child?" However, if youcan do without political correctness for the duration of this film, youwillrather enjoy this comedy, if only for the sake of its two very funnystars.

2) This IMAX movie is a very interesting documentary. If you have big screenTVor digital TV, this is the one DVD you should own to enjoy stunning videoquality. It also has great Dolby Digital Sound and will max out the HomeTheater System to the fullest.

3) ***SPOILER WARNING***

The animals living in the wilds of Africa have an order, a schedule and asystem of natural law by which that spend their entire lives. Deviate fromthem and you’re dead. That is the central idea presented by `Africa: TheSerengeti’ a spectacular and sometimes breathtaking IMAX feature created byGeorge Casey who also directed the stunning `Ring of Fire’.

We learn that there is order in nature by which the lioness kills for foodthen gives the carcass to the male. The male has his share then thelionessand the cubs, then the smaller predators on down to the vultures. This isasystem and a way of life.

Early on we meet the Wildebeests who will become the focal point of Casey’sfilm. They are cattle who seem to serve the basic functions of their ownsurvival but from the film’s point of view they are also a major source offood for lions if they aren’t careful. In one tense moment we see a herdwalking cautiously past a den of lions waiting in the bush for their momentof attack. That’s just one of the many stunning moments that Casey wasableto capture. There is a heartbreaking scene in which the wildebeest heardattempts to climb some slippery rocks to evade alligators. Some become tooexhausted to carry on and will eventually become food.

Sometimes we feel like interlopers especially in the mating scenes in whichthe male lion almost seems boorish, this followed by an extreme close-up ofthe two blissful lions sleeping in the sun. But it also offers some imagesthat aren’t so easy to take like vultures picking the bones of a wildebeestto which narrator James Earl Jones offers `In nature, nothing is wasted’.We get a stomach-churning glimpse of the cheetah as it hunts down awildebeest and rips it apart.

To say that the photography of `Africa: The Serengeti’ is breathtaking isanunderstatement but the central theme of the film is that the order of thewild happens because out there it’s survival of the fittest. Even theinfants are at risk if they don’t pull their weight.

Because it is a documentary and subsequently a mirror of life we don’t knowwhat to predict. After having seen the wildebeests give birth we are toldthe if they don’t get up and walk then the heard will abandon them. Sureenough one had trouble and the heard moves on. We fear for its lifebecausewe know that it can’t possibly survive. In one surprisingly emotionalmoment the young cow springs to it’s feet and catches up with the family,the kind of stirring moment that only real life can provide.

Rating: *** (of four)

4) There are more than one element that makes this film a first rate moviegoing experience.The only actor assigned is James Earl Jones asNarrator.His gift of speech is excellent with a presentation thatallows the viewer to participate in a wider,deeper plain than just theSerengeti,however it is indeed the Serengeti where all of time passesand we are blessed with an attempt to show life as everlasting,such isthe contribution of the Narrator Voice and its place in the viewing ofthis very well made I-Max presentation.The visual aspect is notentirely subtle,it is more like, very up front with an importantcondition and that condition is in the telling of this very dramaticstory.It is not so simple a thing to allow the reader to know what isactually required but as is pointed out in the narration there is noremorse when a predator(Cheetah) runs down a Gazelle(very young one)andprovides for its own(of which there are only 1 left of 4 born to thisCheetah)It is very strong with an accent of survival merely by numbersand perhaps a little bit of luck.The fittest does not seem to fit asthe wildebeest it is suggested was formed by committee from spareparts,A very intelligent presentation with much more to come.Themigration of the large size herds is undaunted and though it isabsolutely riveting it is murderous with these almost dumb like animalsliterally trampling each other to death.It is quite something to viewas this event unfolds across the plains of the Serengeti.This migrationif you will occurs every year with the onset of the rains in the Northto the Southern extremes ,encompassing the Kenyan and Tanzanian plains.This is very much both excellent story telling and a documentary aswell.The short history and timeless quality presented provide a surveythat underpins the journey of the wildebeest and it is even a littlebit much to take when it is suggested that herbivores eat grass andvegetation while carnivores eat herbivores.What is a bit much, theredoes not seem to be a element of fitness in there survival but of thesheer weight of numbers that allow for the species to survive. Thepredators seem only to choose there time for there chance as those samenumbers go running by your front door by the thousands in thishistorical and timeless journey across the plains of Africa.This byitself will very much keep your attention,however it is not the onlyelement that this film possesses which provide for a worthwhile moviegoing experience.There is both choral and vocal composition whichaccompany the film and may almost catch you off guard as to its placein the telling of the story,it is very good.This is a no holds barredidea of life and death that is presented in a timeless quality that canget to you with a wow.The best part and perhaps the reason why thisfilm was seen by me was the I-Max format.It is in fact a WOW!The filmopens and the plains of the Serengeti are almost below you as well asthousands of running Wildebeests.This film from the beginning is acredit to the storytelling ability that the I-Max format providesfor,wide beautiful vistas stretching the limits of our movie goingexperience almost to witness a miracle (though we suggest it isnature)in the migration of the African wildebeest.This is a very goodmovie.It is worthwhile a purchase and even in a humbled presentationwill stand if you will the test of time.I know I just viewed it on mycomputer.I have had the pleasure of attending a few I-Max shows and itwould seem that not every presentation works as well as every otherpresentation.There was also the stories and that to seemed not alwaysto work either,however there were exceptions and one which I comparewith Africa:The Serengeti and that is T-Rex:Back To TheCretaceous.There are many ways to present a dramatic story and thoughAfrica:The Serengeti is an example of one such way, T-Rex:Back To TheCretaceous tells a tale with mind you the same kind of unfoldinghistory but it does it with subtlety and the development of a storywithin a story.It too, to me represents an all around presentation inthe I-Max format that is worthy of this entertainment vehicle that weknow as I-Max.Both films are excellent and both are very highlyrecommended.

5) Like any nature-log you might see on Animal Planet. But bigger.

The photography is stunning, but somehow I left the theater thinkingthat they could have made a much more exciting film. Despite thekilling scenes, it overall had a serene feel.

And what was up with the balloon people and the tribesmen? Quitetangential and not really belonging with the animal stuff. There wasn’teven really much of a connection. At not least one that we sawdepicted.

I think films like this are a waste of the IMAX medium. I would neverknock natural beauty, but why do you need IMAX for that? For REALLY BIGnatural beauty? No, the wonderful thing about IMAX is the ability tomake you feel like you’re there. So SCARE me! Put my heart in my mouth!To see the medium utilized to the fullest, see "NASCAR 3-D."

Was filmed (and is presented) in 2-D, rather than 3-D as the last commentleads one to believe.

2) This is a 3D IMAX film which bursts out of the screen in both sight andsound. It only has one human voice/character (Avery Brooks) whom tells thestory of the elephants life in Africa. From hardship and drought to life,etc… It is a great film that can only be done justice in IMAX. The 3-Deffects add to the experience (rather than detract) and this isrecommended.

3) This is a very good Documentary with good narration by Avery Brooks. Ithink that all of the filming of the wonderful animals is really great.I knew some things about the African Elephant but by watching thisvideo I learned a whole lot more! I did not know how smart Elephantsare. One of the things I thought was remarkable was when two malesfight for the female they go into a fight and the thing is theyactually know that the are going to get hurt or even die in the battle.Another thing is how the Elephants stay together as family. The videoclips of the leader Elephant charging when threatened was reallyawesome! This video in so interesting, sad, great, entertaining, funny,and exciting all at the same time. There is some death in this featurebut it is not by man. If you love Elephants and want to see howintelligent these creatures are and the cute as well as the greatthings they do in the wild then I strongly recommend you watch thistoday because I don’t think you can watch anything more informal!

Movie Nuttball’s NOTE:

I love most animals in the world and I dislike people harming animalsand the poachers killing innocent creatures. One day I would like manto be the hunted. This is just how I feel. Thank you for reading!

2) AFRICA UNITED takes us on an enchanting journey into the dreams and aspirations of a football-crazy coach and his colorful ensemble of players who have to overcome their egos – and hot blood – for a true team spirit. Eventually, the barren country of Iceland may be the unifying factor, when they leave history, race and religion behind to seek victory on the fields and fulfillment in their lives. Icelandic Director Olaf Johannesson has delivered a lively and upbeat documentary that is not so much about learning but more about feeling and sharing a small and simple dream.

Characters are all maybe a little black and white (sometime literally)- maybe they are true life characters, they seem to be. And if so, Ithink God must have a good sense of humor when creating people. I amnot a great football fan – I used to be when Poland could play football(long time ago) – but I like in this film the cameraman goes to manycountries and you can see a lot from where characters are from.

One other thing I want to mention, if anybody knows about thesoundtrack from the film. The music is great but I cannot find anymusic from the film. Also if anybody knows if it will show in Poland?

Anyway, just a very funny film, also if you don’t like football.

2) I just wanted to set a couple of things straight, since not everyonemay be in the position to read in-depth interviews with the creators ofthis film. It was quite popular here in Iceland so there was a lot ofdiscussion regarding its factual accuracy.

Basically, it is a retelling of a true story mixed in with fiction andreal ad lib moments. The team exists, the players play themselves, etc.- it's just that they have a script to work from.

While it's a slightly confusing and frustrating approach, I find itworks well overall. The film itself has its strengths, such as thecharacters being believable and sympathetic (albeit for obviousreasons), but ultimately falls short of being everything it could havebeen. Perhaps less scripting would have made it a more engagingexperience.

3) I saw this movie on DVD last year and I kind of liked it. I new what Iwas expecting and it was OK but when I saw it again with a friend lastmonth, I realized the fact that the whole thing is hilarious. Not justthe performance of the team but also the attitude of Zico, the coach.

He obviously has no control over the motley cru of immigrants fromdifferent cultures and his management style is borrowed only frommovies. He makes no impact on the team and his completely uselessteam-talks are the absolute highlight of the movie. His visit toCharlton AFC in England to get 2 sentences out of Alan Curbishley tokeep going in the wrong direction, is a very close second.

In my University Campus, this movie is now a cult classic and quoteslike: "Get him the f%/k off this team" and "Guys, we are not so bad tobe losing 7-0 at half time! Is it 7?" are the source of endlesslaughter.

Any debate of whether the story is genuine or not can be canceled here.The Characters are real, the story is directed. That simple. It’s a mixbetween the Blair Witch project and a real documentary in that respect.But endlessly entertaining.

4) I saw Africa United as part of the Nordisk Panorama documentarycompetition as was left slightly confused and suspicious on a number ofpoints.

On IMDb it’s listed in the genre of comedy but it is a self professeddocumentary. I have not seen any review or information on this filmother than the general blurb provided by the filmmakers, but I foundthis ‘documentary’ had a very contrived and unrealistic vibe. I feltthat many of the scenes had been staged and were seemingly based aroundsome sort of script, insomuch that the players new where each scene washeading. Of course these are actual people so there were moments ofgenuine reality in there, but far too few. The fact the director ÓlafurJóhannessón also took a screenplay credit would also suggest thisdocumentary’s credibility is questionable.

This is not criticism per se, the film was excellently made and wasengaging, but I found myself distracted by this mis-trust, constantlyanalyzing scenes for tell-tale acting gestures, which I found a lot of.Indeed if this were to re-label itself as a mockumentary of sorts, thenI would have enjoyed it a great deal more, as it is a nice upliftingstory with many funny moments. It is more a question of can this beclassed as a documentary.

This film is part of a new wave of artificial documentaries, such asSupersize Me, where an ideal story is thought up before production thuscompromising its integrity. These filmmakers have too much time andmoney at stake in the films success to leave it up to fate, and throughclever editing and a slight bending of the truth they reach theirpre-planned destinations. The director himself admits this, saying thathe wanted the film to follow the ‘Rocky formula’ and ‘making thematerial fit into that structure- was a big task’.

Overall I left the cinema feeling like I’d been cheated, furthercompounded by my fellow viewers, as they were all of the opinion thatit was all completely factual and honest. But that all said I did enjoythe film, and the 80 mins went by quickly enough. If you have aparticular interest in football or have ever played in a local’pub-team’ league (which I have) I would definitely give this a shot.

Anyway, this cartoon has Porky Pig on vacation in Africa – which theyobnoxiously call "the dark continent" – and coming across a series ofspot gags. His stereotypically-drawn porters are basically StepinFetchit types. Like I said, the cartoon's good for a few laughs, justas long as we understand the racist portrayals.

BTW, Cake Icer was a parody of band leader Kay Kyser. Also, one scenewas lifted out of "The Isle of Pingo Pongo", and another scene latergot used in "Crazy Cruise".

2) This film is striking for several reasons. The obvious footage of animalsand insects was magnificent, and so was the scenes of the veldt,regardlessof the animals. But, beyond that, the whole feeling of the daily hardshipof life on the African continent 70 odd years ago was almost overwhelming.This film brought the living in fear of lions, locust, tsetse flies andother dangers into sharp relief for me. It was well worth watch if onlytoget the historical sense of life on the dark continent.