The Naked Earth

The Naked Earth
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Vincent Sherman
Written by	Milton Holmes Harold Buchman
Produced by	Adrian D. Worker
Starring	Richard Todd Juliette Gréco John Kitzmiller Finlay Currie Laurence Naismith Christopher Rhodes
Cinematography	Erwin Hillier
Edited by	Russell Lloyd
Music by	Arthur Benjamin
Production companies	Foray Films Four Square Productions
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release dates	February 4, 1958 (1958-02-04) (United Kingdom) June 1958 (1958-06) (United States)
Running time	96 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

The Naked Earth is a 1958 British drama film directed by Vincent Sherman and written by Milton Holmes and Harold Buchman.^[1] The film stars Richard Todd, Juliette Gréco, John Kitzmiller, Finlay Currie, Laurence Naismith and Christopher Rhodes. The film was released on February 4, 1958, by 20th Century Fox.^[2][3][4][5]

Plot

The action takes place at the end of the nineteenth century, in East Africa. Danny Halloran, a disappointed Irish farmer but a good African meat hunter, comes to find his friend, ex-seaman and now tobacco farmer in his jungle retreat, but fails to do so. He discovers that the farmer died - a victim of the crocodiles - leaving a widow, Maria. Danny falls in love with the young woman and decides to marry her to please Father Finlay Currie and to manage the tobacco plantation.^[6] When the harvest fails, he goes hunting for crocodiles to trade their skins.

Cast

• Richard Todd as Danny
• Juliette Gréco as Maria
• John Kitzmiller as David
• Finlay Currie as Father Verity
• Laurence Naismith as Skin Trader
• Christopher Rhodes as Al
• Orlando Martins as Tribesman
• Harold Kasket as Arab Captain

Production

It was the first of three films Adrian Worker made for his own company in association with 20th Century Fox. Worker said filming proceeded smoothly and was completed on time and on budget.^[7]

References

1. O'Brien, Daniel (2017). Black Masculinity on Film: Native Sons and White Lies. Springer. p. 133. ISBN 9781137593238. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
2. Crowther, Bosley (1958-08-29). "Movie Review - - 'Naked Earth' Arrives; Juliette Greco Stars in Drama at Mayfair Richard Todd Is Male Lead in Africa Tale". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
3. Steve Huey. "The Naked Earth (1958) - Vincent Sherman". AllMovie. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
4. "Naked Earth". Catalog.afi.com. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
5. Lentz III, Harris M. (2008). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2002: Film, Television, Radio, Theatre, Dance, Music, Cartoons and Pop Culture. McFarland. p. 156. ISBN 9780786452071. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
6. Gibraltar Chronicle At the Films column; 23/10/1958; Page 3
7. Fowler, Roy (19 August 1988). "Interview Andy Worker". British Entertainment History Project.

External links

• The Naked Earth at IMDb