Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Director Clint Eastwood cast himself as a thinly disguised version of controversial director John Huston in this story of Huston's location work for the movie "African Queen."

Based on a book by screenwriter Peter Viertel, who worked for Huston polishing James Agee's script for the adventure classic "African Queen," White Hunter, Black Heart deals with Huston's obsession with killing a bull elephant, according to him one of the only remaining "legal sins" - one you could buy a license for and commit. Whether or not this philosophy is true, White Hunter, Black Heart is one helluva movie and Eastwood's best job as director to date.

Son of actor Walter Huston, one of America's greatest thespians, John Huston directed many fine films including three of Humphrey Bogart's best, The Maltese Falcon, Treasure of the Sierra Madre, and The African Queen.

Off camera, like all great directors (or artists), John Huston was an egomaniac. His egomania expressed itself in outrageous physical challenges, posturing, and boasting about his accomplishments, which were considerable. Drinking till all hours only to arise early to play spirited sets of tennis was a typical example of Huston's shenanigans that wore out James Agee and allowed Peter Viertel to get his foot in the door as screenwriter.

Clint Eastwood cast himself against type as the colorful director, who affected a fake British accent and bedeviled the Hollywood brass who tried in vain to keep their successful maverick in line.

Eastwood's fans may hardly recognize Clint in the unfamiliar role but if they give the movie a chance they will ultimately come to like him in the part. Clint appears to have a great time playing the unpredictable director who seems to gauge the current situation and come across with statements guaranteed to be controversial. In one scene, Clint challenges the hotel manager to a bare knuckle boxing match after observing him abusing a black waiter. In another, he dresses down an elegant woman whom he perceives to be a nazi sympathizer. In an aside to Viertel, a Jew, he explains, "Score one for the k!k*s, now for the n!g****!"

In contrast to the prickly, unapproachable director is Peter Viertel, (Jeff Fahey) his screenwriter, buddy, and confidante. The easygoing Viertel acts as Huston's conscience and evokes responses from the director that explain his motivations to the viewer. One of the Hollywood brass whom Huston delights in giving both barrels often is producer Paul Landers played with aplomb by George Dzundza. No matter what Landers says or does, Huston takes the opposite position.

Apparently Huston held up production for weeks while he hunted Africa for a bull elephant, making the entire company wait in the steaming insect infested jungle until he had fulfilled his desire. When he had finally satisfied himself he simply took his place in the director's chair and said, "Roll'em."

At the same time, the African talking drums continually beat out the news, "white hunter, black heart."

As I mentioned, the characterizations are thinly disguised - Huston becomes Wilson and Viertel become Verril. They even had Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn look-alikes and made a scene going down the rapids in the real "African Queen" steamer.

People who enjoy films about the movie industry like White Hunter, Black Heart will also enjoy The Bad and the Beautiful starring screen legends Kirk Douglas and Lana Turner. Clint Eastwood fans will also enjoy his many films, particularly Unforgiven and In the Line of Fire.



Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening