Mogambo

A well produced but relatively undistinguished Ford that trades largely on the attractiveness of its leads and its exotic scenery. Gable is quite charming, even though his character isn't especially likeable, and Gardner brings some zest to her role, playing a strong outspoken woman who stands her ground. Kelly is bland though, and the romantic triangle doesn't generate much heat despite the better efforts of the talent involved.

The last hour of this is probably the best movie ever made. Can't get most of the scenes out of my head(The colours/shadows/the performances). Beginning is kinda boring tho.

a fine ford (a lil on-the-nose, but moreso on-the-eyes'n'cock... his best looking?), and a fine kelly (ford insisted on her 'breeding, quality and class' to a sceptical studio; it made her a star), but i'll remember it as a Great ava gardner picture. kael said gardner 'never looked happier' and it's true she's in her element, perfect for a character in whom everything representing life, goodness and authenticity crystallises beneath a confrontational surface (precursing bancroft in 7 WOMEN).

74.000

Betty and Veronica go to Africa. In a generalized remake of Red Dust, Gable (essentially reprising his role) gets caught between lusting for two women. This being a John Ford film, we also have some beautiful African savanna shots interspersed with awkward studio shots. The story isn't much and there are parts where the characters just don't seem believable. Still, it's fascinating to see a more primitive Africa before the thousands of tour companies overran it.

watched: 2014, 2022

Adventure and melodrama in one package!

Not Mr. Fords best work.

Fairly enjoyable because of the actors but the overall feel is dated.

Ava Gardner was magnificent. Grace Kelly was pretty, but a bit too reserved. Clark Gable's character seemed too gruff and self centered to warrant their affections, so the love story felt stretched pretty thin. He proved he was no gentleman when he chased after the married woman. I disliked the cheap ending. Some of the 1950's sensibilities are outdated. There was some good scenery and cute baby animals. Lots of tension to keep you interested.

Lush cinematography - but more of a chick-flick.

Significantly inferior to Red Dust, which it's a re-make of. Gardner plays the Harlow role, Kelly the Astor role, and Gable the Gable role over 20 years after the original, so it's not the cast that's the issue. As with many safari style pictures it seems too interested in shoehorning in its animal footage rather amateurishly, shocking from Ford. There are shots that are clearly on a soundstage and then shots from Africa that clearly don't match. Uninspired. Cast is the only redeeming factor.

An enjoyable and formally complex film from Ford. Gable is solid here, but the real standouts are Gardner and Kelly, who offer fine performances in their complicated relations with Gable and each other. Ford makes good use of shadow, color, screens, and cross-cutting to communicate emotion, comment on relationships, or make comparisons between people and/or animals. I expect this to open up considerably on repeat viewings.

Gable was too hateful.