Elephant Walk

Elephant Walk


Starring:Elizabeth Taylor, Dana Andrews, Peter Finch, Abraham Sofaer, Abner Biberman, Noel Drayton, Rosalind Ivan, Barry Bernard, Philip Tonge, Edward Ashley, Leo Britt, My Lee Haulani, Jack Raine, Victor Millan, Henry Carr, William Benegal Rau, Eddie Das, Jiva Raj De Alwis, Reginald Lal Singh, Charles Heard
Director: William Dieterle
Studio: Paramount
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
It's never been as revered as The African Queen, but Elephant Walk is a similarly prestigious entry in the exotic adventure movie trend of the 1950s. This is one of those glossy Technicolor melodramas that inevitably climaxed in a scene of tragic destruction, typically intended to teach men a humbling lesson about the forces of nature. In this case, a seemingly delicate newlywed (Elizabeth Taylor) joins her husband (Peter Finch) on his tea plantation in Ceylon, only to uncover mysteries about the plantation and her husband's long-dead father, whose ghostly presence looms over the stately estate where elephants once roamed freely. Dana Andrews is the plantation foreman who catches Liz's attention when Finch is injured during one of many drunken interludes with a band of snobby sycophants; she grows intolerant of them, and impatient with the enigmatic Appuhamy (Abraham Sofaer), a Ceylonese valet who knows more than he's telling. After the plantation endures an outbreak of cholera and a drought that sends thirsty elephants into an stampeding frenzy, Elephant Walk delivers a spectacular finale that's still quite impressive; the sight of Liz fleeing from a pack of rampaging pachyderms is enough to make this a worthwhile diversion. With its exotic settings and fashionable wardrobe, Taylor's fans should consider Elephant Walk a must-see, and everyone else will enjoy the fiery climax. It's this movie's version of the burning of Atlanta, which is fitting because Gone with the Wind star Vivien Leigh was replaced by Taylor shortly after filming began, and can still be glimpsed in a few long shots. --Jeff Shannon
Description
Elizabeth Taylor plays a newlywed who accompanies Finch to his sprawling tea plantation called ELEPHANT WALK...and falls for overseer Andrews. But this love triangle is soon dwarfed by other events. A cholera epidemic breaks out, drought blights the land and herds of thirst-maddened elephants devastate the plantation in a thundering stampede. The palatial "bungalow" is reduced to rubble as onrushing elephants pound across polished floors, rip walls from their foundations and knock over kerosene drums to ignite a terrifying inferno.
Elephant Walk
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • A movie I'll never forget...
  • Ahhh! The elephants are coming!
  • Brought back memories!!
  • Elephant Walk
  • Liz is an exquisite creature with an unquestioned beauty and talent...
 Elephant Walk
Starring: Elizabeth Taylor , Dana Andrews , Peter Finch , Abraham Sofaer , and Abner Biberman
Director: William Dieterle
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
ClassicsClassics | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
Romantic AdventureRomantic Adventure | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
MarriageMarriage | Love & Romance | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
Infidelity & BetrayalInfidelity & Betrayal | Love & Romance | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
Love TriangleLove Triangle | Love & Romance | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
Andrews, DanaAndrews, Dana | ( A ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Ashley, EdwardAshley, Edward | ( A ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Biberman, AbnerBiberman, Abner | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Finch, PeterFinch, Peter | ( F ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Sofaer, AbrahamSofaer, Abraham | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Taylor, ElizabethTaylor, Elizabeth | ( T ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Dieterle, WilliamDieterle, William | ( D ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
Action & AdventureAction & Adventure | Paramount Home Entertainment | Studio Specials | Stores | DVD | Video
All ParamountAll Paramount | Paramount Home Entertainment | Studio Specials | Stores | DVD | Video
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( E )( E ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B0009CTVEK
Release Date: 2005-07-12

Amazon.com

It's never been as revered as The African Queen, but Elephant Walk is a similarly prestigious entry in the exotic adventure movie trend of the 1950s. This is one of those glossy Technicolor melodramas that inevitably climaxed in a scene of tragic destruction, typically intended to teach men a humbling lesson about the forces of nature. In this case, a seemingly delicate newlywed (Elizabeth Taylor) joins her husband (Peter Finch) on his tea plantation in Ceylon, only to uncover mysteries about the plantation and her husband's long-dead father, whose ghostly presence looms over the stately estate where elephants once roamed freely. Dana Andrews is the plantation foreman who catches Liz's attention when Finch is injured during one of many drunken interludes with a band of snobby sycophants; she grows intolerant of them, and impatient with the enigmatic Appuhamy (Abraham Sofaer), a Ceylonese valet who knows more than he's telling. After the plantation endures an outbreak of cholera and a drought that sends thirsty elephants into an stampeding frenzy, Elephant Walk delivers a spectacular finale that's still quite impressive; the sight of Liz fleeing from a pack of rampaging pachyderms is enough to make this a worthwhile diversion. With its exotic settings and fashionable wardrobe, Taylor's fans should consider Elephant Walk a must-see, and everyone else will enjoy the fiery climax. It's this movie's version of the burning of Atlanta, which is fitting because Gone with the Wind star Vivien Leigh was replaced by Taylor shortly after filming began, and can still be glimpsed in a few long shots. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Elizabeth Taylor plays a newlywed who accompanies Finch to his sprawling tea plantation called ELEPHANT WALK...and falls for overseer Andrews. But this love triangle is soon dwarfed by other events. A cholera epidemic breaks out, drought blights the land and herds of thirst-maddened elephants devastate the plantation in a thundering stampede. The palatial "bungalow" is reduced to rubble as onrushing elephants pound across polished floors, rip walls from their foundations and knock over kerosene drums to ignite a terrifying inferno.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A movie I'll never forget... .......2007-06-17

This is a great movie. So what if it's somewhat of a soap opera? It's actually a lot better than a soap opera to me. After all, how many soaps have rampaging elephants in their finale?

Elizabeth Taylor is stunning in this movie, and her acting looks convincing most of the time. Basically, two men are competing for her, one of them her husband, the other his colleague. Just as Elizabeth's character, Ruth, is about to leave her husband with the other man, a cholera epidemic breaks out, triggered by a drought. That also triggers the elephant stampede that destroys the mansion--while Ruth is still in it. I won't say what happens, but I've never seen a stampede as convincing or scary as this. It's unbelievable.

You have to see this movie. I won't forget it and I'd watch it again. I dare to say you would do the same.

3 out of 5 stars Ahhh! The elephants are coming!.......2007-05-04

A long, drawn out melodrama used as a vehicle to showcase Elizabeth Taylor in various, ravishing costumes of dress, each more extravagant than the next is the main ingredient of "Elephant Walk". Oh that, and thousands of natives thrown in doing exotic dances for good measure. Thus, you get an incredibly over the top, but still fairly watchable movie that hasn't stood the test of time well. It's in Technicolor (what else is new?) and follows the story of a young bride taken to her husband's tea plantation in India, where she discovers a different side of her husband than she expected. What is most intriguing (although at times rather humorous) is the idol worship of the husband's deceased father, founder of the plantation. At one point, the natives all bring presents and place them at the grave of the father. And then there's Appuhamy, the creepy little Indian servant, who prays to the grave as if it were a temple. Creepy. Of course, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying "Elephant Walk" is a complete farce. It's interesting, and the viewer is left wanting to know if Ruth will hook up with Carver or stay trapped on Elephant Walk forever. What really killed it for me though, was the incredibly over the top ending. The elephants are made to look like a bunch of violent beasts which is so far from the truth, it's ridiculous. Ruth's husband John comes to save her in the end, and in an overly symbolic scene that slaps its viewer on the head, turns his back on the burning portrait of his father. Thus, the viewer is left to believe that John will suddenly change his selfish ways and love Ruth after all. So watch this movie with your own disbelief suspended. Oh yeah, and beware of those violent elephants.

5 out of 5 stars Brought back memories!!.......2007-03-09

I saw this movie when I was in school. I loved it then and I really enjoyed seeing it again. It is a great movie!! Has a great story to it.

4 out of 5 stars Elephant Walk.......2007-01-04

Hokey, early 1950's movie, but the casting was terrific, the scenery location, Ceylon/Sri Lanka, was a plus.

3 out of 5 stars Liz is an exquisite creature with an unquestioned beauty and talent..........2006-12-28

Robert Standish's novel is about a triangular romantic situation on a Ceylonese tea plantation... So the events of the Ceylon backgrounds and pictorial beauty are rewarding points to William Dieterle's film...

The story is about a rich powerful planter (Peter Finch), who brings a charming and tender beauty (Elizabeth Taylor), into the jungle as his bride... The plantation, of course, is endangered by some kind of wild life... For this reason Taylor -- elegant as never in dazzling costumes -- finds herself in a strange atmosphere... The echo determination of a ghost, the bad temper of a husband obsessed by the memory of his autocratic father, a highly dangerous disease, and the fury of wild animals...

In her confusion, boredom and annoyance Elizabeth Taylor looks to a friendly face, a pretentious foreman (Dana Andrews), who admires her beauty but tries to conquer her love...

With echoes of "Jane Eyre," the mysterious Yorkshire mansion with a brooding master, and "Rebecca," the innocent young second wife hunted by the image of the glamorous first wife, "Elephant Walk" is a menace melodrama with a wide view of a huge tropical bungalow, exotic dances with rage excessively colorful, stampeding big bull elephants, amazing mansion set on fire, all in the company of an exquisite creature with an unquestioned beauty and talent...

The movie gave Liz a change of scenery, and allowed her more creative energy and self-respect than most of her other willful debutante-rebels... The wife here has a sharp tongue and a strong will, and so Taylor plays her movie star heroine with more spirit than she was given credit for...

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