Ten year old Sammy travels 4500 miles on his own from the Suez Canal to Durban, South Africa.Ten year old Sammy travels 4500 miles on his own from the Suez Canal to Durban, South Africa.Ten year old Sammy travels 4500 miles on his own from the Suez Canal to Durban, South Africa.
- Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 2 nominations total
Patricia English
- Mrs. Hartland
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOn 18 June 1962, while filming scenes in Kenya's bush country, Edward G. Robinson suffered a heart attack. After being rushed to the capital city of Nairobi where he spent several days, he was flown to London. Following several weeks of rest and medical supervision, he was released from hospital and was able to finish the film.
- Quotes
Cocky Wainwright: [about Sammy] He wants to stay. I want him to stay. So, he stays.
- Alternate versionsOriginally released at 118 minutes but shortened to 88 for US release. TV version restores missing footage.
- ConnectionsReferenced in What's My Line?: Edward G. Robinson (4) (1962)
- SoundtracksLogo (Main Title) - Overture
Written and Performed by Tristram Cary
Featured review
It's a great shame this film isn't better-known, especially outside the UK. It has recently (fall 2010) been re-released on DVD - at LAST. And it truly is worth seeking out.
The story is equally reminiscent of Rudyard Kipling's 'Kim' and Nicholas Roeg's 'Walkabout.' A young boy, suddenly on his own, determines to rejoin his family, at the opposite end of Africa. Along the way, he meets a number of interesting characters, including Edward G. Robinson, in a small but pivotal part.
The story is told without sentiment or sensationalism. Shot on location, it shows an Africa that may hardly exist any more, in which wild animals were still a greater danger than armed humans. The scenery is often breathtaking... but the focus is always on Sammy. Despite the trappings of epic adventure, this is really a very intimate film, about one boy's journey from loss to self-reliance.
I'd rank Sammy Going South amongst the great children's adventure films of all time: Treasure Island (any version), Captains Courageous, The Wind and the Lion, In Search of the Castaways, and others. But it has a unique magic all its own. It gets inside the soul of a child like few other films, and perfectly captures a quintessentially British vision of childhood.
See this film if you possibly can. You'll be glad you did.
The story is equally reminiscent of Rudyard Kipling's 'Kim' and Nicholas Roeg's 'Walkabout.' A young boy, suddenly on his own, determines to rejoin his family, at the opposite end of Africa. Along the way, he meets a number of interesting characters, including Edward G. Robinson, in a small but pivotal part.
The story is told without sentiment or sensationalism. Shot on location, it shows an Africa that may hardly exist any more, in which wild animals were still a greater danger than armed humans. The scenery is often breathtaking... but the focus is always on Sammy. Despite the trappings of epic adventure, this is really a very intimate film, about one boy's journey from loss to self-reliance.
I'd rank Sammy Going South amongst the great children's adventure films of all time: Treasure Island (any version), Captains Courageous, The Wind and the Lion, In Search of the Castaways, and others. But it has a unique magic all its own. It gets inside the soul of a child like few other films, and perfectly captures a quintessentially British vision of childhood.
See this film if you possibly can. You'll be glad you did.
- How long is A Boy Ten Feet Tall?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Mein Freund, der Diamanten Joe
- Filming locations
- The Winter Palace Hotel, Luxor(the Hotel scenes after being rescued from the Colossi of Memnon)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- £385,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 58 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
