Elephant Walk
 Theatrical re-release poster | ||
| Starring | Elizabeth Taylor Dana Andrews Peter Finch braham Sofaer Abner Biberman | |
| Directed by | William Dieterle | |
| Produced by | Irving Asher | |
| Written by | John Lee Mahin | |
| Editing by | George Tomasini | |
| Studio | Paramount Pictures | |
| Based on | based on Elephant Walk (novel) 1948 novel by Digby George Gerahty and Robert Standish | |
| Music by | Franz Waxman | |
| Cinematography | Loyal Griggs | |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures | |
| Released | Apr 21, 1954 in US | |
| Runtime | 103 minutes | |
| Country | United States | |
| language | English | |
| Budget | $3 million | |
Elephant Walk is a 1954 American drama film produced by Paramount Pictures, directed by William Dieterle, and starring Elizabeth Taylor, Dana Andrews, Peter Finch and Abraham Sofaer. It is based upon the 1948 novel Elephant Walk by 'Robert Standish', the pseudonym of the English novelist Digby George Gerahty (1898–1981).
With many sections filmed on location, it features several real-life insights into the operation of tea plantations and the tea-making process in factories. It also explores native ceremonies and beliefs. Most of the story centers around the Elephant Walk Bungalow and the "Elephant Walk Tea" production.
Plot
Colonial tea planter John Wiley, visiting England at the end of World War II, weds Ruth and takes her home to Elephant Walk Bungalow, the plantation house built by his father in Ceylon. On their way to the house, they are stopped by a bull Indian elephant, which an outraged John frightens away with a few gunshots. Ruth soon discovers that John is still dominated by his father, "The Governor," long after the man's death, and that John's mother was never happy at Elephant Walk. She left John's father shortly after their marriage but returned when she discovered she was expecting a child; eventually, she died.
Ruth has a strained relationship with Appuhamy, the principal servant, whose real master continues to be the late "Governor" – to whose tomb, in the garden, Appuhamy regularly speaks, expressing his dislike of the new mistress. A stern, larger-than-life portrait of "The Governor" is kept in his room, which has not been changed since the old man died and is always kept locked. Appuhamy gives a sinister overtone to much of the otherwise genteel story.
Ruth learns from John that Elephant Walk is named because his father, Tom Wiley, deliberately built it across the ancient migration path used by a herd of elephants to reach a water source. The elephants continue to attempt to use this path to get to the water, but are kept out by the walls and the defensive efforts of the servants. Thus, Ruth's initial delight in the tropical wealth and luxury of her new home is quickly tempered by her isolation as the only European woman in the district; by her husband's occasional imperious arrogance and angry outbursts; by Appuhamy's polite but insubordinate attitude toward her; by a mutual physical attraction with plantation manager Dick Carver; and by the hovering, ominous menace of the hostile elephants.
The tide of Elephant Walk's history turns in Ruth's favor when the district is hit by a cholera epidemic, during which she makes herself indispensable as a relief worker. Appuhamy confesses to "The Governor" that he was wrong about the new mistress and hopes she will stay. But Ruth has made John realize that, as long as they remain at Elephant Walk, he will continue to be dominated by his dead father instead of becoming his own man; they must leave. Ultimately, their decision is made for them when the elephants finally break through the wall and stampede onto the grounds, killing Appuhamy in the process. The Elephant Walk Bungalow is smashed and catches fire. The portrait of the Governor is seen burning, symbolizing the end of the old regime. John and Ruth manage to escape as the house collapses around them. Dick Carver sees them together in the hills just above the house and realizes Ruth will never be his.
It begins to rain as John and Ruth look down at Elephant Walk burning to the ground. "I'm sorry," she says. "I'm not," he replies. "Let them have their Elephant Walk. Ruth, we'll build a new place – a home – somewhere else!"
The bull elephant that appeared on the road (near the film's beginning) raises his trunk and gives a mighty trumpet call as the words appear on the screen: "The End."
Cast
- Wikipedia article: Elephant Walk Cast
Background
The project was initially designed to feature the husband-and-wife duo of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, with Olivier assuming the role of Finch. However, Olivier had prior commitments to producing The Beggar's Opera (1953). Leigh expressed considerable enthusiasm for the role and continued in her husband's absence; unfortunately, she was compelled to withdraw from the production shortly after filming commenced in Colombo, Ceylon, due to her struggle with bipolar disorder. According to Leonard Maltin's annual Movie Guide, Leigh can be observed in several long shots that were not re-filmed following Elizabeth Taylor's replacement of her.
Production
The film was based on a novel published in 1949. Film rights were initially purchased by Douglas Fairbanks, Jr and Alexander MacDonald for their production company, Dougfair. The movie was set to be released through United Artists and to star Fairbanks and Deborah Kerr. D. M. Marshman Jr. signed on to write the script.[6] Filming was postponed due to poor weather in Ceylon.
Fairbanks and MacDonald then transferred the rights to Paramount, where Irving Asher was appointed producer. John Lee Mahin was employed to write the script, and William Dieterle was chosen to direct.
Paramount sought Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh to play the lead roles.[9] Ultimately, Olivier had too many theatre commitments, but Leigh agreed to star; he was replaced by his protégé Peter Finch, with Dana Andrews taking on the other male lead.
Filming commenced in Ceylon in February 1953. After four weeks of location work, the unit moved to Hollywood for six weeks of studio filming. However, Vivien Leigh missed filming on the second day. She eventually dropped out of the picture altogether, citing an acute nervous breakdown. Elizabeth Taylor was borrowed from MGM to replace her.
Critical reception
Maltin gave the film 2 stars out of 4 and made one of his pithier critiques:
- "Pachyderm stampede climax comes none too soon." A significant plot element in the film is that the tea plantation's manor, where the film's action occurs, is situated in the middle of a path previously used by migrating Indian elephants.
External links
- Review Elephant Walk at the Internet Movie Database
- Review Elephant Walk at the Turner Classic Movie Database
- Elephant Walk at the American Film Institute Catalog
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Elephant_Walk ]
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