Forget all about the Matrix, Independence Day, Executive Decision and all those high tech special effects. If you want to see some REAL action and adventure, The Naked Prey is just what you’re looking for!
Directed by and starring Cornel Wilde, the movie is a lot more than your typical safari movie. Wilde is the nameless B’wana, leader of a safari. His clients are Europeans hunting elephants. The Europeans quickly disgust the viewer with their lack of respect for Africa, officiousness with the native bearers, and bragging about who killed how many elephants, like they were back in their parlors in England. Wilde, through facial expressions, clearly shows his disgust for his clients’ behavior, however he does not confront them about their boorishness.
The party soon meets a tribe of Africans on their trek. Old hand Wilde is about to placate the natives with presents when the boorish English sponsor indicates not only "no", but "hell no". Rebuffed, the natives bare their teeth but subside away into the wilderness.
A little later, the natives attack and quickly overpower the little safari group. Now the shoe is on the other foot and the Euros are eager to give presents to the Africans, but to no avail. The Africans begin killing the Euros individually in various fiendish ways, including roasting, striking with clubs, and turning the most hated over to the women, to be cut to pieces by their small, dull knives.
Finally, Wilde is left alone, and, apparently due to his earlier cordiality, is afforded the opportunity to have a head start, as far as an arrow shot by one of the warriors. But first, he is stripped of all clothing, including his shoes. Wilde does not look back but begins running immediately. The natives seeing he reached the arrow begin their pursuit, one by one as each reaches the arrow another starts. Ken Gampu is the leader of the war party in pursuit of Wilde.
Wilde is shown running buck naked across an extremely unfriendly terrain, full of sharp rocks, thorns, brambles, and burning sands, and populated by a whole host of unfriendly critters like snakes, fire ants, and lions. You begin to realize the enormity of his task, he must keep running until the others stop, or kill them. The first warrior begins to close on the runner but, due to breathlessness, Wilde is able to kill him. Quickly stripping the warrior of his shoes and loincloth, Wilde resumes his race with death, the howling warriors not far behind...
Apart from occasional African drumbeats, the soundtrack of The Naked Prey is the sound of Africa. Wilde’s first night is punctuated by the sound of droning mosquitoes and other insects as the light fades. It is a very effective soundtrack and makes for a creepy viewing experience. The dialog is mostly in African. There is really no need for words, as the pictures adequately depict the story Wilde is telling, so there is no voice-over narration.
The photography is stunning, depicting the wilderness of Africa in all its glory. The dangerous flora and fauna are also emphasized in the well done camera work. The acting is spare and taut. It is man against men. The only ones who speak are the warriors and they speak their native tongue. A lot of time and care went into showing the warriors’ tracking skills, also. The movie is almost a documentary, as you see Wilde capture, kill, dismember, and eat various snakes, lizards, and other critters. You will have a new appreciation for your refrigerator and creature comforts after watching this, I promise you!
If you want to see a harrowing adventure that does not rely on special effects, but a lean hard man running for his life, this movie is for you.
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