JohnHowardReid Copyright 1958 by Darryl F. Zanuck Productions. Released through 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. New York opening at the Palace: 15 October 1958. U.S. release: October 1958. U.K. release: 22 February 1959. Australian release: 12 March 1959. Sydney opening at the Regent. 11,350 feet. 125 minutes.SYNOPSIS: In Fort Lamy, French Equatorial Africa, an idealist named Morel (Trevor Howard), launches a one-man crusade to preserve the African elephant from extinction. Generally disappointed with man's civilization, he thinks of the elephants as the last-remaining "roots of heaven". He attempts to effect legislation to stop professional and game ivory hunters from destroying the elephant and at first finds support only from Minna (Juliette Greco), hostess of the town's only night club, who falls in love with him, and from an ex-British major, now a derelict, named Forsythe (Errol Flynn).NOTES: Location scenes filmed in French Equatorial Africa. Interiors at Studios de Boulogne, Paris. Number 7 on the Saturday Review's Ten Best list for 1958.For everything that lies between man and God is in the roots of heaven (Arabian proverb).COMMENT: Strange and exotic places were a natural magnet for CinemaScope. This time the anamorphic lens travels deep into the Cameroons. But unfortunately — as is too often the case — for a few moments' worth of fascinating backgrounds, we are obliged to put up with a dreary and unbelievable story.True, the plot starts promisingly enough, but fails to sustain its momentum — partly because the writing just peters out, partly because the players make such heavy weather of their characters, partly because the direction (from a master like Huston, yet) is so surprisingly indifferent.OTHER VIEWS: A disappointment. — Variety. An interesting but curiously unconvincing picture. — Time.

clanciai A very odd film like no other, with a startlingly modern and timeless argument and therefore conveying an urgent message for all times. Romain Gary, married to Jean Seberg, was a superior genius, and all films made on his books are on a special level of quality and interest. The argument is what already Walt Disney dared to introduce in "Bambi" - the outrageous abuse of nature by man.The character Morel, aptly played by Trevor Howard, who must have found this sort of character a special treat, takes a stand against man for the elephants and actually starts a crusade against poachers. He is supported by Juliette Greco, who gives the film a very fitting female extra dimension. Orson Welles is perfect as usual in a particularly revealing character of a parody on Americanism, like also Eddie Albert as the final photographer, while Herbert Lom makes a perfect villain. The final touch is Errol Flynn in his last bow as a failed soldier who nevertheless in spite of his exaggerated and pathetic alcoholism succeeds in ending honourably. This is the only film he mentions in his autobiography as a film to be proud of.Objections have been raised against John Huston's direction. The rhythm of the film is very slow, as focus is more on the important dialogue than on any action, but nevertheless he succeeds in sustaining a constant suspense throughout the film although very little happens. In fact, the story in its wild but monotonous settings never ceases to came up with new surprises.It didn't cause much attention in its day, although its problems should have been of concern to all humanity even then almost 60 years ago, few really understood it, since it was so far ahead of its time, but the story with its argument is a compelling work of genius which today is more imminent in its message than ever, and John Huston definitely secured the message.

robertguttman This movie, about a lone man's quest to save the African elephants from extinction at the hands of big game and ivory hunters, undoubtedly suffered when it was initially released due largely to the fact that it was at least 30 years ahead of it's time. In the 1950s nobody gave a thought to things things like ecology, conservation and endangered species; let alone considered them to be causes worth fighting for. The fact is that, while it would be perfectly natural for modern-day audiences to recognize Morel as a heroic character, in the 1950s he would have been regarded as merely eccentric. That simply goes to show that, while it takes a long time to change peoples' minds, they do change nonetheless.I understand that Trevor Howard was actually given the role of the central character, Morel, after William Holden dropped out. Frankly, Howard was probably the better choice to play the part in the first place, since he does a good job of keeping the attention of the story grounded where it should be. The film itself is somewhat uneven and episodic, with some interesting character actors making periodic appearances revolving around Morel. Orson Welles, in particular, makes a conspicuous appearance as a larger-than-life American television broadcaster who was probably modeled on Lowell Thomas.All in all, "The Roots of Heaven" represents a good effort at tackling a subject that probably didn't attract it's initial audience anywhere near as much as it would undoubtedly attract audiences today. Given the change in the public's appreciation of environmentalism, it definitely rates a fresh look by young, contemporary audiences.

dbdumonteil Based on a novel by Romain Gary (who was Jean Seberg's husband ;she was the star of one of his obscure works "Les Oiseaux Vont Mourir Au Pérou" ),"Roots of Heaven " is generally dismissed ,even by Huston's buffs.And nevertheless....It was an ecological movie,at a time it was not trendy :as Nicholas Ray ,at about the same time,was filming "wind across the everglades" ,a heartfelt plea for the defense of Florida 's wildlife,Huston did the same for the elephants ,victims of the poachers .THe odd couple,who is one of Huston's recurrent features is present:Morel ,who is championing the elephants cause ,is joined by a prostitute (played by glorious actress/chanteuse Juliette Greco)."Roots of Heaven" was a definitive improvement on "the Barbarian and the Geisha " and paved a reliable way to works to come such as "the unforgiven" , "the misfits" and the highly superior "Freud" and "Night of the Iguana" .This is an overlong movie,but even if it cannot be ranked among the director's best ,it's worth at least a watch .