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{{Short description|1951 British film by David MacDonald}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
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| name = The Adventurers
| name = The Adventurers
| image = "The_Adventurers"_(1951_film).jpg
| image = "The_Adventurers"_(1951_film).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Original British 1-sheet poster
| caption = Original British 1-sheet poster
| director = [[David MacDonald (director)|David MacDonald]]
| director = [[David MacDonald (director)|David MacDonald]]
| producer = [[Aubrey Baring]]<br>[[Maxwell Setton]] (uncredited)
| producer = {{ubl|[[Aubrey Baring]]|[[Maxwell Setton]] (uncredited)}}
| writer = [[Robert Westerby]]
| writer = [[Robert Westerby]]
|based on = story by Westerby
| based_on = story by Westerby
| narrator =
| narrator =
| starring = [[Dennis Price]]<br>[[Jack Hawkins]]<br>[[Siobhán McKenna|Siobhan McKenna]]
| starring = {{ubl|[[Dennis Price]]|[[Jack Hawkins]]|[[Siobhán McKenna|Siobhan McKenna]]}}
|music = [[Cedric Thorpe Davie]]
| music = [[Cedric Thorpe Davie]]
| cinematography = [[Oswald Morris]]
| cinematography = [[Oswald Morris]]
| editing = [[Vladimir Sagovsky]]
| editing = Vladimir Sagovsky
| studio = [[Mayflower Productions|Mayflower Pictures]]
| studio = [[Mayflower Productions|Mayflower Pictures]]
| distributor = [[General Film Distributors]]
| distributor = [[General Film Distributors]]
| released = 7 March 1951 (London)
| released = {{Film date|1951|03|07|London|df=y}}
| runtime = 86 minutes
| runtime = 86 minutes
| country = United Kingdom
| country = United Kingdom
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| budget =
| budget =
| gross =
| gross =
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
}}
}}
'''''The Adventurers''''' is a 1951 British [[adventure film]] directed by [[David MacDonald (director)|David MacDonald]] and starring [[Dennis Price]], [[Jack Hawkins]], [[Peter Hammond (actor)|Peter Hammond]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/65668|title=The Adventurers|work=BFI}}</ref> In the wake of the [[Second Boer War|Boer War]] several men journey into the South African [[veld]]t in search of [[diamond]]s.
'''''The Adventurers''''' is a 1951 British [[adventure film]] directed by [[David MacDonald (director)|David MacDonald]] and starring [[Dennis Price]], [[Jack Hawkins]], [[Peter Hammond (actor)|Peter Hammond]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/65668|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114095037/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/65668|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-01-14|title=The Adventurers|work=BFI}}</ref> In the wake of the [[Second Boer War|Boer War]] several men journey into the South African [[veld]]t in search of [[diamond]]s.


It was also known as '''Fortune in Diamonds''', '''The Great Adventure''' and '''The South African Story'''.
It was also known as '''Fortune in Diamonds''', '''The Great Adventure''' and '''The South African Story'''.


It was one of a series of movies made by the British film industry after World War Two which were set (and filmed) in the dominions.<ref>Carry On, Cowboy: Roast Beef Westerns
It was one of a series of movies made by the British film industry after World War Two which were set (and filmed) in the dominions.<ref>Carry On, Cowboy: Roast Beef Westerns
Hall, Sheldon. Iluminace; Praha Vol. 24, Iss. 3, (2012): 103-125. </ref>
Hall, Sheldon. Iluminace; Praha Vol. 24, Iss. 3, (2012): 103-125.</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first=Stephen|last=Vagg|magazine=Filmink|url=https://www.filmink.com.au/roast-beef-westerns/|date=17 May 2020|title=Roast Beef Westerns}}</ref>

==Plot==
==Plot==
In 1902 as the [[Second Boer War|Boer War finalises]] a South African soldier, Pieter Brandt, hides a cache of diamonds he finds on a body. He returns to the town he left three years earlier where his girl, Anne, has married a disgraced English officer, Clive Hunter.
In 1902, as the [[Second Boer War|Boer War finalises]] a South African soldier, Pieter Brandt, hides a cache of diamonds he finds on a body. He returns to the town he left three years earlier where his girl, Anne, has married a disgraced English officer, Clive Hunter.


Needing funds to get back to pick up the diamonds the Boer enlists the help of his former comrade, Hendrik Von Thaal, as well as Hunter and a bar owner called Dominic.
Needing funds to get back to pick up the diamonds the Boer enlists the help of his former comrade, Hendrik Von Thaal, as well as Hunter and a bar owner called Dominic.


The four men set off to find the diamonds but they end up betraying each other.
The four men set off to find the diamonds but they end up betraying each other.
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* Walter Horsbrugh as Man in Restaurant
* Walter Horsbrugh as Man in Restaurant
* [[Cyril Chamberlain]] as Waiter
* [[Cyril Chamberlain]] as Waiter

==Production==
==Production==
The film was based on an original story by the novelist and screenwriter [[Robert Westerby]], one of several he wrote for the [[independent film|independent]] production company [[Mayflower Pictures]].
The film was based on an original story by the novelist and screenwriter [[Robert Westerby]], one of several he wrote for the [[independent film|independent]] production company [[Mayflower Pictures]].


Jack Hawkins was borrowed from [[British Lion Films|British Lion]]. Director David MacDonald had just made ''[[Diamond City (film)|Diamond City]]'' (1949) also on location in South Africa.
Jack Hawkins was borrowed from [[British Lion Films|British Lion]]. Director David MacDonald had just made ''[[Diamond City (film)|Diamond City]]'' (1949) also on location in South Africa.


It was made at [[Pinewood Studios]], with some [[location filming]] in South Africa beforehand near [[Johannesburg]]. Production started in May 1950 and was completed by September.<ref>Round the British Studios
It was made at [[Pinewood Studios]], with some [[location filming]] in South Africa beforehand near [[Johannesburg]]. Production started in May 1950 and was completed by September.<ref>Round the British Studios
Nepean, Edith. Picture Show; London Vol. 55, Iss. 1433, (Sep 16, 1950): 7. </ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167909668 |title=British Star, Back Home, Gets Candid |newspaper=[[Truth (Sydney newspaper)|Truth]] |issue=3145 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=7 May 1950 |accessdate=1 February 2019 |page=44 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref> The film wasn't released until the following March by [[General Film Distributors]].
Nepean, Edith. Picture Show; London Vol. 55, Iss. 1433, (Sep 16, 1950): 7.</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167909668 |title=British Star, Back Home, Gets Candid |newspaper=[[Truth (Sydney newspaper)|Truth]] |issue=3145 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=7 May 1950 |accessdate=1 February 2019 |page=44 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The film wasn't released until the following March by [[General Film Distributors]].


==Release==
==Release==
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==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
[[Allmovie]] noted "an African variation of ''[[The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (film)|Treasure of the Sierra Madre]]'', ''The Adventurers'' is buoyed by an unusually vicious performance by Jack Hawkins" ;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmovie.com/movie/fortune-in-diamonds-v92144|title=Fortune in Diamonds (1951) – Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast – AllMovie|work=AllMovie}}</ref> while the ''[[Radio Times]]'' wrote, "this could have been quite stirring if it hadn't been morbidly under-directed at a snail's pace by David MacDonald" ;<ref name=radio /> and ''[[TV Guide]]'' found that, despite its borrowings from ''Sierra Madre'' and from [[von Stroheim]]'s ''[[Greed (1924 film)|Greed]]'', "it is nevertheless an often-gripping film."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.tvguide.com/the-adventurers/review/109653|title=The Adventurers|work=TV Guide}}</ref>
[[Allmovie]] noted "an African variation of ''[[The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (film)|Treasure of the Sierra Madre]]'', ''The Adventurers'' is buoyed by an unusually vicious performance by Jack Hawkins";<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmovie.com/movie/fortune-in-diamonds-v92144|title=Fortune in Diamonds (1951) – Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast – AllMovie|work=AllMovie}}</ref> while the ''[[Radio Times]]'' wrote, "this could have been quite stirring if it hadn't been morbidly under-directed at a snail's pace by David MacDonald";<ref name=radio /> and ''[[TV Guide]]'' found that, despite its borrowings from ''Sierra Madre'' and from [[von Stroheim]]'s ''[[Greed (1924 film)|Greed]]'', "it is nevertheless an often-gripping film."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.tvguide.com/the-adventurers/review/109653|title=The Adventurers|work=TV Guide}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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{{David MacDonald}}
{{David MacDonald}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Adventurers, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Adventurers (1951 film), The}}
[[Category:1951 films]]
[[Category:1951 films]]
⚫
[[Category:British films]]
[[Category:British historical adventure films]]
[[Category:British historical adventure films]]
[[Category:1950s historical adventure films]]
[[Category:1950s historical adventure films]]
[[Category:Films directed by David MacDonald (director)]]
[[Category:Films directed by David MacDonald (director)]]
⚫
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:Films shot at Pinewood Studios]]
[[Category:Films shot at Pinewood Studios]]
[[Category:Films set in 1902]]
[[Category:Films set in 1902]]
[[Category:Films set in South Africa]]
[[Category:Films set in South Africa]]
[[Category:Films shot in South Africa]]
[[Category:Films shot in South Africa]]
[[Category:Treasure hunt films]]
[[Category:Films about treasure hunting]]
[[Category:Lippert Pictures films]]
[[Category:Lippert Pictures films]]
[[Category:British black-and-white films]]
[[Category:British black-and-white films]]
⚫
[[Category:1950s English-language films]]
⚫
[[Category:1950s British films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Cedric Thorpe Davie]]
[[Category:English-language historical adventure films]]

Latest revision as of 13:08, 9 November 2024

The Adventurers
Original British 1-sheet poster
Directed byDavid MacDonald
Written byRobert Westerby
Based onstory by Westerby
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyOswald Morris
Edited byVladimir Sagovsky
Music byCedric Thorpe Davie
Production
company
Distributed byGeneral Film Distributors
Release date
  • 7 March 1951 (1951-03-07) (London)
Running time
86 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

The Adventurers is a 1951 British adventure film directed by David MacDonald and starring Dennis Price, Jack Hawkins, Peter Hammond.[1] In the wake of the Boer War several men journey into the South African veldt in search of diamonds.

It was also known as Fortune in Diamonds, The Great Adventure and The South African Story.

It was one of a series of movies made by the British film industry after World War Two which were set (and filmed) in the dominions.[2][3]

Plot

[edit]

In 1902, as the Boer War finalises a South African soldier, Pieter Brandt, hides a cache of diamonds he finds on a body. He returns to the town he left three years earlier where his girl, Anne, has married a disgraced English officer, Clive Hunter.

Needing funds to get back to pick up the diamonds the Boer enlists the help of his former comrade, Hendrik Von Thaal, as well as Hunter and a bar owner called Dominic.

The four men set off to find the diamonds but they end up betraying each other.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

The film was based on an original story by the novelist and screenwriter Robert Westerby, one of several he wrote for the independent production company Mayflower Pictures.

Jack Hawkins was borrowed from British Lion. Director David MacDonald had just made Diamond City (1949) also on location in South Africa.

It was made at Pinewood Studios, with some location filming in South Africa beforehand near Johannesburg. Production started in May 1950 and was completed by September.[4][5] The film wasn't released until the following March by General Film Distributors.

Release

[edit]

The film was originally known as The South Africa Story. It had its world premiere aboard the Queen Mary liner.[6] The film was cut by 12 minutes for its U.S. release, and was twice retitled, as Fortune in Diamonds and The Great Adventure.[7]

Critical reception

[edit]

Allmovie noted "an African variation of Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The Adventurers is buoyed by an unusually vicious performance by Jack Hawkins";[8] while the Radio Times wrote, "this could have been quite stirring if it hadn't been morbidly under-directed at a snail's pace by David MacDonald";[7] and TV Guide found that, despite its borrowings from Sierra Madre and from von Stroheim's Greed, "it is nevertheless an often-gripping film."[9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Adventurers". BFI. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009.
  2. ^ Carry On, Cowboy: Roast Beef Westerns Hall, Sheldon. Iluminace; Praha Vol. 24, Iss. 3, (2012): 103-125.
  3. ^ Vagg, Stephen (17 May 2020). "Roast Beef Westerns". Filmink.
  4. ^ Round the British Studios Nepean, Edith. Picture Show; London Vol. 55, Iss. 1433, (Sep 16, 1950): 7.
  5. ^ "British Star, Back Home, Gets Candid". Truth. No. 3145. New South Wales, Australia. 7 May 1950. p. 44. Retrieved 1 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Germans to see Australian film". The Mail. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 19 May 1951. p. 11 Supplement: SUNDAY MAGAZINE. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  7. ^ a b Tony Sloman. "The Adventurers". RadioTimes.
  8. ^ "Fortune in Diamonds (1951) – Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast – AllMovie". AllMovie.
  9. ^ "The Adventurers". TV Guide.
[edit]
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