The Snows of Kilimanjaro (1952)

For some reason, this 'classic' popped up on my radar, perhaps whilst I was reading my Jimmy Stewart bio (Go figure). Anyway, Gregory Peck takes a role that might have better been for suited to a laconic & reflective Jimmy Stewart. He is the adventurous, Hemingway-like male author, Harry Street, reflecting on his life and loves while he convalesces from a nasty infection in his leg. Devoted wife (#3?), played by Susan Hayward attends to his wound patiently whilst the two wait for medical help to arrive, all in the shadows of the mighty Kilimanjaro.That's it. Harry marries pretty wives Ava Gardner & Hildegard Knef and mistreats both, but his career as an author takes off, allowing him a lavish lifestyle and to travel, as he pleases (with no consideration for his current wife). We see all this in a series of flashbacks. Peck plays a good role, I suppose: it's just that not much happens. There are bullfighting action, and battle scenes from the Spanish Civil War, but at a pedestrian pace. We frequently toggle back to hear frantic chat between Peck and Hayward, prompting my wife to holler, Just die, will ya?Pacing and script seemed to be lacking. I wonder why the Director chose to make such a lengthy (1:54) cut? The story could have been told in 1 1/2 hours easily, cutting oodles of empty, repetitious talk.

THE SNOWS OF KILIMANJARO is one skillful combination between African sensationalism, human melodrama and vivid acting. A film that does not capture the quality, but the story of a writer and his hostility against life is pretty interesting. As a writer lies wounded and dazed in an African camp at the foot of the snowy slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, remembers events from his own life, returning to the past. Writing, women and hunting determined his life. In pursuit of them traveled the world of salons of bohemian Paris, the Spanish battlefields to the African plains. Now, in the shadow of the great mountain and impending death due to gangrene, trying to make sense of his life's failures.The main hero is presented in different states and moods. Despite solid well realized flashbacks, it's really hard to determine what state of mind is the real thing. Love intrigues and personal disappointment as the main character pushed into despair and depression. It is fascinating to see three different romance that eventually come to the same - disappointment. Exactly how much the hero respects himself. The protagonist does not like any of his wives. Simply, women are need. Now, all of a sudden he punishes himself for his mistakes in the past, although it is next to him a woman who truly loves him. It's a bit confusing, vague and unconvincing. However, the pictures stimulate and fascinate. Therefore, African mountains, isolation, pain, sadness and emotion have a special charm. Gregory Peck as Harry Street is temperamental writer who is lost in a melancholy mood. This situation also leads to some critical melancholia and depression. Performance of Mr. Peck is pretty solid, but I really bothered by the fact that his appearance in the film does not change. Ava Gardner as Cynthia Green is beautiful. One impulsive character but her role is unclear. Susan Hayward as Helen is the wife who is cold and gentle at the same time. Both with a reason.I will boast of the music, because it makes sense.In this film has plenty of action and romance.

The Snows of Kilimanjaro, 1952.*Spoiler/plot- A major 'flash-back' plot about an African white hunter's look at his life to help explain his problems relating to his present day wife. *Special Stars- Gregory Peck, Ava Garner, Susan Hayward.*Theme- The past is past, but can trap you if you don't respect it. *Trivia/location/goofs- Shot in Africa and Spain. This film features two of the great film beauties of the era.*Emotion- A old studio epic in large scope and with casting great stars for this property. Enjoyable but gets too slow in the flash-back sequences. Very introspective about people's life choices over the years.*Based on- Famous Hemingway book.

No, it's Benny Carter playing the sax at the bar/party. The movie is nostalgic in these ways. It really looks like the time that has gone by, but because of its simplicity, appears more vivid.Harry (Greg Peck) the writer has very bad infection in his legs in Africa by the Mt. Kilimanjaro. He's delirious and has regrets about his past love life. The movie goes from scene to scene about his past life occurrences. His life is not so bad, but something critical is missing. Harry's wound is symbolic of the condition of his heart.The conclusion seems to be that if you don't know what's worth dying for, you don't know what is worth living for. This enigma is slowly killing Harry. In the end it seems that what he has already is more than what he needs to go on.The transition Harry goes through is written beautifully, and in a stylish way. Harry couldn't find what he was looking for in Paris, but seems to have found it in Africa. Sometimes you need the right setting to see things in clear perspective.Harry in a way serves as our alter ego, as we get to live life through his perspective. The movie is great in that we can see shadows of our own life through his story.