Of all the safari films made by Martin Johnson and his wife Osa, 'Congorilla' was the most popular and most successful financially. I enjoyed 'Congorilla' but I regretted that film's patronising attitude towards African natives, as well as a couple of wildlife sequences that appear to have been faked. 'Wonders of the Congo' is free of those flaws, and is a hugely enjoyable film.
Martin Johnson narrates the film, occasionally explaining what camera lens was used for which particular sequence. I was most impressed by a sequence on the veldt, in which Johnson -- who had nerves of steel -- allows a black rhino to come nearly all the way up to him before he shoots it dead. We can plainly see that Johnson is out in the open, with nowhere to hide from his quarry ... and of course there's no question of stunt doubles.
A definite asset in each of Martin Johnson's films was the participation of his pretty wife Osa, so I was disappointed that she had less than usual to do here. The Johnsons always made a point of including some comedy-relief material in their movies. Early in 'Wonders of the Congo', we're treated to a spectacularly beautiful sequence of an elephant bathing himself in a watering hole; later, we see a sequence that's meant to be funny but which I found merely ludicrous: a protracted attempt by Osa to shepherd a family of elephants.
The best thing about the Johnsons' safari films is that they preserve footage of an Africa that largely no longer exists. I'll rate 'Wonders of the Congo' 9 out of 10.
Martin Johnson narrates the film, occasionally explaining what camera lens was used for which particular sequence. I was most impressed by a sequence on the veldt, in which Johnson -- who had nerves of steel -- allows a black rhino to come nearly all the way up to him before he shoots it dead. We can plainly see that Johnson is out in the open, with nowhere to hide from his quarry ... and of course there's no question of stunt doubles.
A definite asset in each of Martin Johnson's films was the participation of his pretty wife Osa, so I was disappointed that she had less than usual to do here. The Johnsons always made a point of including some comedy-relief material in their movies. Early in 'Wonders of the Congo', we're treated to a spectacularly beautiful sequence of an elephant bathing himself in a watering hole; later, we see a sequence that's meant to be funny but which I found merely ludicrous: a protracted attempt by Osa to shepherd a family of elephants.
The best thing about the Johnsons' safari films is that they preserve footage of an Africa that largely no longer exists. I'll rate 'Wonders of the Congo' 9 out of 10.
