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 final chase through town was filmed in Nairobi, Kenya.
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.