Trader Horn

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David K This is one that can be polarizing. It's an adventure film that is not only set, but is actually filmed for the most part, in Africa. And, although it's a 1931 film, the location shooting makes for a very intriguing film. It's all about the animals and the circle of life one will experience when visiting the great continent. I've done it, and unlike your local zoo, a trip amongst the wildlife brings a much more realistic view of the world. MGM attempted to keep quiet the fact that many of the wildlife scenes were filmed in Mexico in order to keep the animal protection organizations away, for good reasons. The crew would starve the lions in order to get the intense hunting and killing scenes the film captures. And, they are truly intense although, at this writing, they were filmed almost 100 years ago. You'll have to decide how much of this you can handle. I was kind of expecting it, watching it as part of TCM's April 2025 Spotlight on Pulp Fiction - movies based on pulp novels. I always take a deep dive into their spotlights as part of my self-education on film, reading related articles as I watch the film. If you can set aside our modern sensibilities and just watch the film for what it is, it's definitely a must-see. If not, that's fine, too. But, as stated earlier, if you go into it being prepared to meet it on it's own terms, you'll enjoy it. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/15/25 Full Review Audience Member The film depicts the adventures of real life trader Horn while on safari in Africa. Much of the film is fictional, including the discovery of a white blonde jungle queen, the lost daughter of a missionary. A scene based upon a genuine incident occurs where Cary swings on a vine across a river filled with real crocodiles, one of which comes very close to taking his leg off. Many during the filming of this contracted malaria, An African crewman fell into the river and was eaten by a crocodile while another was killed by a rhinoceros. Female lead Edwina Booth became infected with malaria or schistosomiasis and it took six years for her to fully recover. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review steve d The racial ides have not aged well. Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member An early talkie, great for its time. Filmed in Africa. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Audience Member Notable primarily as the first Hollywood film to be produced in Africa, director W.S. 'One-Take Woody' Van Dyke's "Trader Horn" (1931) does offer some impressive footage of the so-called 'Dark Continent'. But the racist pejoratives directed at the indigenous population and the unethical treatment of animals make this a difficult pill to swallow. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Known for producing some of the best wildlife footage of its time, Trader Horn unfortunately decides to give us a story line as well. It's a white man defeats the jungle sort of inappropriate thing. Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Trader Horn

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