This movie, about a lone man's quest to save the African elephants from extinction at the hands of big game and ivory hunters, undoubtedly suffered when it was initially released due largely to the fact that it was at least 30 years ahead of it's time. In the 1950s nobody gave a thought to things things like ecology, conservation and endangered species; let alone considered them to be causes worth fighting for. The fact is that, while it would be perfectly natural for modern-day audiences to recognize Morel as a heroic character, in the 1950s he would have been regarded as merely eccentric. That simply goes to show that, while it takes a long time to change peoples' minds, they do change nonetheless.

I understand that Trevor Howard was actually given the role of the central character, Morel, after William Holden dropped out. Frankly, Howard was probably the better choice to play the part in the first place, since he does a good job of keeping the attention of the story grounded where it should be. The film itself is somewhat uneven and episodic, with some interesting character actors making periodic appearances revolving around Morel. Orson Welles, in particular, makes a conspicuous appearance as a larger-than-life American television broadcaster who was probably modeled on Lowell Thomas.

All in all, "The Roots of Heaven" represents a good effort at tackling a subject that probably didn't attract it's initial audience anywhere near as much as it would undoubtedly attract audiences today. Given the change in the public's appreciation of environmentalism, it definitely rates a fresh look by young, contemporary audiences.

Copyright 1958 by Darryl F. Zanuck Productions. Released through 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. New York opening at the Palace: 15 October 1958. U.S. release: October 1958. U.K. release: 22 February 1959. Australian release: 12 March 1959. Sydney opening at the Regent. 11,350 feet. 125 minutes.

SYNOPSIS: In Fort Lamy, French Equatorial Africa, an idealist named Morel (Trevor Howard), launches a one-man crusade to preserve the African elephant from extinction. Generally disappointed with man's civilization, he thinks of the elephants as the last-remaining "roots of heaven". He attempts to effect legislation to stop professional and game ivory hunters from destroying the elephant and at first finds support only from Minna (Juliette Greco), hostess of the town's only night club, who falls in love with him, and from an ex-British major, now a derelict, named Forsythe (Errol Flynn).

NOTES: Location scenes filmed in French Equatorial Africa. Interiors at Studios de Boulogne, Paris. Number 7 on the Saturday Review's Ten Best list for 1958.

For everything that lies between man and God is in the roots of heaven (Arabian proverb).

COMMENT: Strange and exotic places were a natural magnet for CinemaScope. This time the anamorphic lens travels deep into the Cameroons. But unfortunately — as is too often the case — for a few moments' worth of fascinating backgrounds, we are obliged to put up with a dreary and unbelievable story.

True, the plot starts promisingly enough, but fails to sustain its momentum — partly because the writing just peters out, partly because the players make such heavy weather of their characters, partly because the direction (from a master like Huston, yet) is so surprisingly indifferent.

OTHER VIEWS: A disappointment. — Variety. An interesting but curiously unconvincing picture. — Time.

When the original script of The Roots of Heaven was shown to John Huston, he had it in mind for William Holden to star in it. It seemed like a natural given Holden's interest in conservation. Errol Flynn remarked in his memoirs that he was looking forward to co-starring with Holden.

But Bill Holden backed out of the project and not as big a movie name, Trevor Howard, was substituted. Flynn's part was then built up though clearly he's a supporting character. In any event all these guys were just there in support of Juliette Greco who was Darryl F. Zanuck's main squeeze at the time. Ms. Greco was a better actress than that other squeeze of Zanuck's Bella Darvi and she didn't come to a tragic end as poor Bella did.

Huston maybe should have known better, after all he had done The African Queen on location in Africa already and knew the problems therein. The Roots of Heaven may have set some kind of record for illnesses among the cast, maybe rivaling The Conqueror. The most serious was Eddie Albert's nearly fatal case of sunstroke.

It was reported that Errol Flynn kept the illness at bay by consuming large quantities of gin on location. He had the most to worry about as he had chronic malaria, acquired in his youth in the New Guinea jungles that kicked up on him every now and then. Of course right after the film, he was reported to suffer a major attack of it and was in hospital for weeks.

The story never quite takes off. It's about Trevor Howard's efforts to save the elephant population and the lack of interest therein among most of the natives who depend on the ivory trade for a livelihood. Conservation is a noble cause, but it's usually talked about by those who've already plundered their area already for its resources and are now telling others what to do.

Howard's cause never quite gets off the ground and sad to say, neither does the film. Maybe it could be made today with better results.