White Hunter, Black Heart

John Wilson... A violent man given to violent action.

Some ascribed his troubled life to personal self-destruction.

These generalizations always seemed inaccurate to me.

That's why I had to write all this about John...

A brilliant, screw-you-all filmmaker

who violated the unwritten laws of the motion picture business,

yet had the divine ability to always land on his feet.

Come this way.

Mr. Verrill?

Yes.

Hello. I'm miss wilding. How was your flight?

Wonderful.

Mr. Wilson is expecting you.

How was Switzerland?

Switzerland? Fine.

Eggerton gardens, please.

Yes, ma'am.

I thought he was at claridge's.

He was. He's got a house now.

One of his society friends lent it to him.

You know what John is.

I mean Mr. Wilson.

Hello, George. This is Mr. Verrill.

Is Mr. Wilson up yet?

He's been up hours. Been riding.

Having his breakfast now.

Come in.

Mr. Verrill is here, Mr. Wilson.

Pete.

Johnny.

For god's sake.

How the hell are you?

All right.

What have you been up to?

I've been skiing and sitting in the sun.

I missed you.

I missed you, too, John.

Care for some coffee?

This is some joint you got.

Did you get a load of the living room?

Isn't it hideous? I'm crazy about it.

You can get the hell out of here.

What do you think of this outfit?

That's some getup you got there, Johnny.

Of course.

What about you? What about the book?

I didn't get much done.

Why's that?

I couldn't get started.

I got hooked up with some dame.

Hell, isn't it?

Once it's over, you can't figure

why it was so damn important.

It's tough remembering

why you chased a dame once you've had her.

I didn't ski very much because of her.

That's a shame.

I've got the cure for that... Africa.

Come with me and work on this script.

You think that will help?

Even if it doesn't, you've got to do it.

There are times you can't

wonder whether it's the right thing to do,

not for guys like you and me, kid.

I've got to get started on this book.

If you didn't write it, you're not ready to.

When do you plan on leaving?

In about 10 days.

We'll get our shots and take off.

Who will be in this picture?

Phil Duncan and Kay Gibson.

How long will you stay there?

Five months... long enough to make a picture

and have ourselves a safari.

Haven't you ever wanted to shoot an elephant?

No.

A lion or a buffalo?

This is a safari.

Who will pay for all this?

What's your financial situation?

It remains unchanged.

So you're broke.

I owe a quarter million dollars.

A quarter million dollars?

Closer to 3oo, ooo.

$3oo, ooo and you're not worried?

I think about it now and then.

Do you see a way out?

This picture. I've got nothing else to lose.

If a lion gets me, my last minute will be happy.

I'll think of my creditors in the states.

When they find out I've been eaten alive,

it will all seem worthwhile.

Ok, John. How about a script?

There's one around here somewhere.

We don't have a title yet.

It's called African trader or something.

Miss wilding?

Where's that god damned script?

I haven't seen it, John.

Find it. What kind of a secretary are you?

I've been typing your letters and answering the telephone.

Balls.

You were a competent secretary.

Now you hang around all day spying for Paul landers.

I don't spy for anybody, especially Mr. Landers.

Find the script, then.

We have a meeting with landers and his money men.

Paul landers is producing this?

You know why I'm working with him again?

No.

Because it's the wrong thing to do.

I'm so glad to see you, Pete, I can't tell you.

Good to see you, Paul.

You can save our lives.

The monster... I think he's losing his mind.

He's fine.

You don't know how he's been.

He's almost killed the deal five times.

He wants to go to Africa.

How the hell are you?

Johnny boy, did you get a lot done?

Hell, no, but Pete and I chatted.

What do you think of the script?

It's awfully good.

It's a shame you don't know a damn thing about it.

You see?

He's always been like that.

He's insane. He should be in a strait jacket.

As far as the question of color is concerned,

it's an extra expense of questionable value.

I quite agree.

Well, I don't.

Color is worth a million dollars.

That's not important.

What I'm trying to find out

is how much color complicates our operation.

I'm afraid it does, John.

The camera's much heavier.

There are more lighting problems.

Color is essential to the success of this venture.

I'm not concerned with that.

I just don't want to get bogged down.

Bogged down? Bogged down?

I know how easily you get bogged down on location.

Have you ever been bogged down?

No.

Then why bring it up?

I think it's valid.

I don't.

Of course you don't.

While we're in Africa sweating and killing ourselves,

you'll be in Paris sending out memos.

I'll be in Africa with you.

Like hell.

If it were shot in England,

and a second unit sent to Africa,

the risk would be greatly minimized.

That would be with another director.

We have already discussed that.

Oh, we have, have we?

Could I talk to you in the bedroom?

What is this bullshit about another director?

You know I wouldn't do that to you.

You'd sell your mother to make a deal.

What's the matter? Do you want to kill this?

No. No, I don't.

Then why bring up the possibility of bogging down?

You scared them.

Then telling them

you'd quit if the picture wasn't made in Africa.

If one frame's shot in England, I'll quit.

But it won't be.

You discussed it behind my back.

There isn't a chance in the world it could be done that way.

You'll guarantee that, I suppose.

Yes, god damn it. I guarantee it.

Your guarantee doesn't mean a damn thing to me.

I won't make some fake crappy mess to please you.

I don't care

if this picture's shot in black and white or sepia tone,

Pete and I are going to Africa.

What's the effective range of this thing?

About 100 yards.

That's plenty for your buff and your elephant.

They kill them at 20 yards, kid.

Even closer than that sometimes, they tell me.

I've never been to Africa, but this man has.

Invaluable reading...

John Taylor, big game and big game rifles.

We'll need two of these.

We'll take two of these rifles,

and two of these smaller ones to shoot for the pot,

and one 12-Gauge shotgun.

Always useful to have along.

Cartridges, of course.

How many rounds, sir?

2oo per weapon.

Planning to be away quite a while, sir?

Yes. Sunrise films will send you the check.