Love that Eastwood isn't even really trying to disappear into the role, which only serves to heighten the comparisons between him and Huston. Also, its no wonder it was mostly ignored upon release, general audiences would find it boring while critics and industry people were no doubt put off by the fact that this movie isn't even about the making of "The African Queen"

Interesting, although a little slow. Eastwood is great in this kind of jerk. kind of great character, but I think is worth it watching.

Yeah, struggling to stay relevant.

Over 30 years old serving as a good meditation on masculinity as well as artist’s’ insecurities. Directed by and starring Clint Eastwood as filmmaker John Wilson. Set during the 1950s in Zimbabwe he’s eager to get his next project underway. However John is more fascinated by an elephant than the actual filmmaking itself. A native hunter he comes across helps him in his journey. Yet as time goes by he starts to question the morals and ethics of his job. The costs of production rise up with John not entirely focused on the real reason he’s on location. I love Eastwood, the African scenery is lush and beautiful, they do look at a more tough exterior of the industry, and I gotta say the ending is quite somber showing how much a passion for something else can interfere with the task at hand. Very good even if it wraps up on a defeating note.

An interesting 1990 film, is 'White Hunter, Black Heart'. The lead character of John Wilson, portrayed by Clint Eastwood, is an intriguing fellow and the story he stars in is all very watchable. Jeff Fahey is also very good alongside Eastwood, his character is very much the moral compass of the film. The support cast, which notably includes one Timothy Spall, are all solid. The look of the film is pleasant, with some lovely visuals of the locations used, and it is paced nicely. There is also a cracker of a last line. I didn't love this film and don't think it's perfect, but that's not to take away from the fact that I found it be a really enjoyable watch.

Love that Eastwood isn't even really trying to disappear into the role, which only serves to heighten the comparisons between him and Huston. Also, its no wonder it was mostly ignored upon release, general audiences would find it boring while critics and industry people were no doubt put off by the fact that this movie isn't even about the making of "The African Queen"

Even a skilled hunter can have a heart that is cruel and dark. Taking place in the 1950s and based on the book by Peter Viertel Clint Eastwood is Hollywood filmmaker John Wilson. He doesn't follow any of the rules and ignores all the consequences getting things done in the movie business. He's an expert hunter that's for certain. Yet everyone views his self destructive behavior as counterproductive. Wilson wants the movie he's currently making to be done right in Africa. But his passion for hunting animals particularly elephants starts to become more of his priority. Maybe it's true people don't go to motion pictures to be lectured, there's wasted lives and wasted talent as this film's subject discusses, is Hollywood just a factorytown where they just make a product?, no one ever talks about the horrors in the industry, perhaps elephants make us feel like we are perverse creatures from another planet living in an unconquerable world where time has come and gone Wilson is determined to get the picture made however he sees fit even if it means dragging down everyone with him Eastwood is spectacular, the African scenery is so lush and rich with beauty, takes a tougher look at the inner workings of the industry, and the ending is quite somber showing that a passion for something can get in the way of the bigger task at hand, covers so much on the insecurities of directors and their masculinity Very good work by Eastwood even if it does end on a less-than-joyful note

I didn't think there was much there.

"The Eastwood hero almost always does what he damn well pleases," wrote Ebert in his review of the movie, while (he continues) "[h]ere is a movie about a man who does what he pleases, but it doesn't make him a hero." Rather, Eastwood's awestruck travesty of Huston is less as an Ishmaellike protagonist storyteller—that would be Fahey as the confident and virile Verrill (née Viertel)—than he is an obsessive Ahab, so selfish as to become self-destructive. In something of a deconstructive parody of his archetypical persona, with a workmanlike quality that at times betrays its overarching goal, Eastwood's film is an economic and mostly effective meditation on the performance of gender and the inherently homosocial nature of masculinity. As such, the film offers insight into the movie it sends up: That, too, is all about the artificiality of performance, where what is captured on screen could never be half as dangerous or exciting as the effort it took to put it there.

This is a grand film, and an underrated one at that. Clint Eastwood, in one of his most memorable roles ever, John Wilson, goes out to shoot an elephant while what he really should be doing is shoot a Hollywood movie in the 1950s. The only person on the crew who shares his view and almost understand him is Pete Verril (Jeff Fahey), a writer brought on to improve the script. Although Pete supports Wilson, Pete realizes that the hunt of an elephant is more than just an adventure for Wilson, but an obsession. Wilson is willing to compromise the entire crew's careers and futures just to commit "the only legal sin." The movie has certain themes, including conservation, obsession and movie-making theories. The themes aren't explored too well, which explains the muddled ending. But still this is an enjoyable film. Clint is in top form.

White Hunter Black Heart is an amazing film. It is about a movie director who is obsessed with hunting a bull elephant while he's filming on location in Africa. Clint Eastwood and Jeff Fahey give incredible performances. The screenplay is well written. Clint Eastwood also did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture about the adventure and drama. White Hunter Black Heart is a must see.

It makes one wish to know more people like Clint Eastwoods interpretation of John Huston, with that kind of attitude towards people in general, not afraid to say their opinion or fight for their honor without caring for the consequences. An exquisite depiction of a kind of "alternative gentleman", who will learn an important lesson before the movie ends.

Possibly a hidden gem of Eastwood's I cannot help but to kind of like it. Good performance and accent too. The shots of the elephants were riveting.

A uneven & largely unknown Clint Eastwood Film that he went into unknown territory & put on an accent & really became a unique character. Although loosely based on John Huston director of African Queen (1951) it was pretty clear that's what they where going for. Shot beautifully with perfect use of that visually arresting backdrop of Africa. But unfortunately the story itself lacked & although the characterization was strong the story wasn't. I read this was arguably the most unsuccessful Eastwood film ever made.

Clint trying to do Africa safari movie, not recommended.

Clint Eastwood is compelling as John Huston in Peter Vietel's novel about the shooting of "The African Queen".The screenplay isn't as engaging however as the sole focus is on Huston's character to the detriment of the other characters and the movie itself.

I enjoyed biographies of film-makers like "The Aviator" or "Hitchcock" but this one was really dull although Eastwood had a solid performance.

Eastwood trying to immitate legend director Huston is a shame. Fast talking, Eastwood is nothing like you ever saw him act. The entire film is about the filming of African Queen except the plot is about director Huston's desire to hunt more than film. [img]https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRxxr1HAB3LZ_FS9PZ4ubq5pTDxTcXTPXiSMJVJtYXH2YdZZPngrw[/img] But 40 minutes into the film we get to see the Eastwood we all really know, the fighter. Like so many many films starring Clint, he gets into a one on one fight with fists. I thought, how many times have I seen this in an Eastwood film? Many times is the answer. Disappointing. Filled with aspects of making a movie which is boring. Supporting cast doesn't help. The film cost 24 million to make, but made only 2 million at the box office. Clearly, at the boxoffice, when Eastwood flops he flops big time. SEE the entire film here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szzsAGxTe3E&list=PL943CDA52348692B5 [img]http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/c8oH6uXFaUk/hqdefault.jpg[/img] NOTES: 1 "The film is a thinly disguised account of writer Peter Viertel's experiences working with John Huston (the Wilson character) while he made the film The African Queen, which was shot on location in Africa at a time when location shoots outside of the United States for American films were very rare."--- wikipedia 2 The film was entered into the 1990 Cannes Film Festival. 3 The film received positive reviews with review tallying website chrc4work.com reporting that 28 out of the 35 reviews they tallied were positive for a score of 85% and a certification of "fresh". [img]https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTD51IVolZgZamiSQ2aXGfEwjjMrj3BXUuUoF7KuRnqRwWVEOlX[/img] Clint Eastwood as John Wilson Jeff Fahey as Pete Verrill Alun Armstrong as Ralph Lockhart George Dzundza as Paul Landers Charlotte Cornwell as Miss Wilding, Wilson's Secretary Norman Lumsden as Butler George Edward Tudor-Pole as Reissar, British Partner Roddy Maude-Roxby as Thompson, British Partner Richard Warwick as Basil Fields, British Partner Timothy Spall as Hodkins, Bush Pilot Directed by Clint Eastwood Produced by Clint Eastwood Written by Novel: Peter Viertel Screenplay: Peter Viertel James Bridges Burt Kennedy Starring Clint Eastwood Jeff Fahey George Dzundza Alun Armstrong Marisa Berenson Music by Lennie Niehaus Cinematography Jack N. Green Editing by Joel Cox Studio Malpaso Productions Rastar Distributed by Warner Bros. Release date(s) September 14, 1990 Running time 110 minutes Country United States Language English Budget $24 million Box office $2 million [img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Whitehunterblackheart.jpg/220px-Whitehunterblackheart.jpg[/img]

With a surprisingly humourous streak, Eastwood's fictionalised version of the filming of The African Queen makes for engaging viewing.

(*** 1/2): [img]http://images.chrc4work.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] Interesting and with a good cast.