Im not entirely sure what it was about the 1960s that meant all the best family films had to have a large British component, but from Mary Poppins and Oliver to Born Free, it certainly seems it was a golden age for the UK entertaining the family. Sammy Going South deserves to be on that list, although its rather been eclipsed and slightly forgotten over the decades.
Directed by Alexander Mackendrick (The Ladykillers, Sweet Smell Of Success, The Guns Of Navarone), Sammy is a 10-year-old boy living with his parents in Egypt in the mid 1950s. Due to the Suez crisis hes about to be sent to stay with his aunt in Durban, South Africa, but his mother and father are killed in a bombing raid and in the ensuing melee Sammy finds himself on his own with nowhere to stay, fearing that he cant trust anyone due to the tensions between the British and the locals. Not knowing what else to do, he sets off on a seemingly impossible trek across Africa, desperately hoping to find his aunt 4,500 miles away in Durban.
Along the way he comes across numerous people, although he soon realises that nearly all of them want something from him and that their motives aren’t always altruistic.
Admittedly a film that opens with a child being orphaned and then spending most of the running time alone, occasionally being picked on by opportunistic adults, doesnt sound like much fun, but Sammy Going South is a wonderful movie that may be pretty dark, but has real spirit and a sense of hope burning under the tragedy. It also has Edward G. Robinson, which is a boon for any movie, playing a seemingly heroic man who Sammy believes may be able to offer him a home.
The reason Sammy Going South might not be as well known as it should be is partially down to the dark themes, but it also probably has something to do with its slightly imperialistic attitudes. Although not openly racist, it does have a tendency to treat Africa as the white mans domain, which the natives mere live in. However at its core is a wonderfully made story of survival and spirit, featuring good performances and great photography, and a reminder of a British Empire world that’s long since passed (and thankfully so). Even now, young and old will probably respond to it despite it age.
The film has recently been cleaned and remastered, ensuring this new DVD edition looks pretty good. Its not flawless but its certainly a nice transfer. On the features front theres an interview with James Mangold, director of Girl Interrupted, Walk The Line and Knight And Day. While you might wonder what on Earth hes got to do with a movie originally released the same year he was born in 1963, Mangold knew director Alexander Mackendrick when he was a student at Cal Arts, as the Ladykillers helmer was a lecturer. Mangolds recollection of the man and his thoughts of Sammy Going South are interesting and well worth a look. Theres also an interview with Fergus McLelland, who played 10-year-old Sammy but is now, of course, a middle-aged man. While, to be honest, McLelland is a little annoying, what hes got to say is certainly interesting.
Overall Verdict: A wonderful family feature that deserves to be better known, gets a good restoration on this new DVD release.
Special Features:
Interview With James Mangold
Interview With Fergus McLelland
Reviewer: Tim Isaac