Hatari! is a 1962
American film directed by
Howard Hawks and starring
John Wayne. The title means "danger" in
Swahili, which was mentioned in the film as well. Portraying a group of hunters, the film presents an interesting if antiquated portrait of Africa still dominated by non-Africans. The film is extremely popular because of the dramatic wildlife chases and the magnificent backdrop scenery of
Mount Meru, a dormant volcano.
Hatari! was filmed on location in
Tanganyika, (in what is now northern
Tanzania). Many scenes were filmed near
Arusha, Tanzania on a hunting ranch, Ngongongare Farm, owned from 1960 by actor
Hardy Krüger.
The film gathers its several characters from different parts of the world: Sean Mercer (
John Wayne), Pockets (
Red Buttons), Anna Maria 'Dallas' D'Allesandro (
Elsa Martinelli), Kurt Müller (
Hardy Krüger), Brandy De la Court (
Michele Girardon), Charles 'Chips' Maurey (
Gerard Blain), Luis Francisco Garcia Lopez (
Valentin De Vargas) are, respectively, from USA, USA, Italy, Germany, France, France and Mexico.