Mein Freund, der Diamanten Joe

I recall seeing this movie for the first time on TV back in the mid-70s when it went by a different title (possibly for US viewers), "A Boy 10 Feet Tall". Sadly I have only see this film one other time back in the late 80s. I too was drawn in by this film an it's youthful wanderer determined to make his own way from Egypt to South Africa despite all of the hardships involved. I credit this film in part in helping to pique my interest in travel and the world around me, especially Africa. It's too bad that a DVD or VHS version of this film were never officially released. This is one the films that remain on my 'Must Have' list.

I saw this movie only once when I was somewhere between the ages of 7 and 10 years old. I remember this movie vividly and somehow feel that it has affected my life in a subconscious manner, as some other people have written on here.

As I read the other reviews of this movie, I find it strange to see how many people also had the same impression of this film. I don't remember it as Sammy Going South or A Boy Ten Feet Tall, but as The Ten Foot Tall Boy. Funny that I remember it that way. I have mentioned this movie, with the title I remembered it by, to many people (many of whom are movie buffs) but no-one seems to remember it at all.

I did a search online and found nothing and nowhere to purchase it. But, fortunately, I am a UCLA alumnus and did a search of The UCLA Film Archives and found it there. I think it is the American edited version, but I would be very glad to be able to see even that version (which is probably the one I did see about 35 years ago, once).

It's amazing to see how many people have had the same experience with this film, having seen it only once. This movie must be released on DVD. How does one go about doing that? Who does one need to contact to have this done?

On one level it is a straight adventure story -- an orphaned boy's adventures in trying to cross a continent to find an aunt he has never met.

At another level it is more complex, as it shows his relationships with the different adults he meets. Some are uncaring, while others try to exploit him, and leave him hardened by the encounters so that when he meets people who help him with no ulterior motive, he remains detached and withdrawn from real human contact. At first sight Fergus McClelland seems to have a rather wooden performance as the boy, Sammy Hartland, but in fact this is part of the character in the story.

Eventually it is a diamond smuggler, played by Edward G. Robinson, who breaks through his reserve, and begins to bring him out of his shell.

I saw this in the 60s and it captivated me. All the characters were realistic, it could have happened. I probably spend two decades trying to locate a copy; bid for one on E-bay for $80 and lost, then finally lucked out and got one for $35 a year later. It was worth the wait and is just as good as it was. According to a poster it was originally almost an hour longer and had different music, which I don't know anything about. Also the use of guns by a kid is probably looked on as politically incorrect, especially since he saves Eddie Robinson by shooting a leopard. Can't have that. Just another reason to re-release it.

This film was my first cinema experience, seen together with my grandmother.

It made an impression on me that has lasted for years. I strongly identified with the main character in the film.

It has taken years to find any reference to this film.

A good view for anyone and an adventure that's very suitable for children.