Just watching it made me sweat..........I drank 3 litres of water when the credits were rolling

Freddy_Levit

Here is a magnificent example of a film that can generate an atmosphere of survivalist instinct so well, that water is the only thing that comes to mind after viewing.

Set aside its riveting plot and direction by a new-to-film-making olympic champion Cornel Wilde, and what you have is one of the most atmospheric films of all time! You really feel like your there, on a survivalist run from Tribal African Predators with only 10 seconds in front of the nearest warrior. There is that consistent feel of stamina and nostalgia, but there is always that sense of comfort in knowing that the main actor is the Olympic champion runner (also director) and that he has a great chance to make it out alive.

What surprises me most is that this film has hardly dated and the themes the film explores regarding humanity and life still apply today. An adventure film of lightning power that may teach us a lesson or two - different country, different customs.......no need to be prejudiced (A quote from 'The Man Who Would Be King' - another stellar Adventure escapist masterpiece).

Dialogue in the film comes close to NIL, but like in a Clint Eastwood movie, you read the emotions through the eyes and the facial expressions . The plot is very simple and straight forward and you come to understand the African Tribe - it is a film where no side is right, but survival is a human instinct!

What I found most striking about this film was the cinematography and the stock footage. It gave a sense of natural beauty, yet a sense of emptiness and isolation - and as we are going on our journey with our protagonist, we feel inevitably alone (that nobody can help you but yourself) and this is why this movie stands high above many. It projects difficulty of the situation to perfection in showing the heat of the region, the thirst and hunger that arises from scarce vegetation and wildlife and you cannot help but be drawn into our protagonists struggle for hydration.

No orchestral score was provided in the background either - our complete sense of civilization has been taken from us and we are treated to the unfamiliar tribal drum rhythm. Towards the end, you feel frantic for the protagonist and it is only when he starts singing the English song that you feel the sanity is still there in such a harsh circumstance.

It is impossible to take your eyes off the screen throughout the running time of this masterly crafted gem of a film. It is when you see the British headquarters at the end that you sigh with relieve after such a long, excruciating journey.

The actors did a marvelous job. Especially the leader of the tribal warriors. There was a real sense of humanity that came upon him when he waved off our protagonist at the end of the film and there was a real understanding on his face - a great performance!

This film is rare and out of print. One of those great films that deserves so much more recognition than it received upon its release - especially when compared to the box-office drawing Hollywood masterpieces of mediocrity that dominate our cinema screens today. I can only say that this is a must have in a film collection. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys adventure thrillers, because this is one of the best, and those who have seen it know what I am talking about. For a rarely equaled atmospheric masterwork such as "The Naked Prey", go no further. A forgotten 'classic' in its genre.

score /10

Freddy_Levit 4 November 2004

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0958738/