Satan's Harvest

I bought this film out of curiosity. I am a Matt Monro fan and never knew that he taken up acting. He fares rather well in this preposterous film which starred George Montgomery & Tippi Hendry.

This fifty year old dud has nothing good going for it at all. Even at the time it was made, it sank without a trace. It definitely does qualify as 'so bad it's good' fare, though and I had a good few chuckles watching this.

Matt Munro was ok. Tippi Hedren looked nice. She looks very silly with a big rifle. Sounds even sillier saying the word "blubber bait". Everything else stinks. Take a sense of humor with you.

This has been one of the public domain movies floating around for decades. Public domain movies tend to be of low quality and by that I mean audio and visual. You can find some real gems that don't violate copyright infringement. I can't say this is one of them but I might think so if a cleaner print turned up. As it is, no.

The story is about an America private eye who has 4 first names for some reason, Elias Randolph Davis Cutter Murdock. He inherits a ranch from his Uncle who died under mysterious circumstances and shortly after his cousin was released from prison.

The movie is mostly extremely slow until the third act. There is alot of interesting shots of South Africa which feels like a documentary at times about trapping. Once Cutter traces his cousin, the movie picks up some steam.

I thought the acting was great. Davy Kaye as Trigger is great and his few fight scenes are hilarious. I think the portrayal of the gangsters is probably closer to reality. They all basically hate each other.

There's some old school film noir moments. Action movie this is not. It is more of a crime drama. Matt Monro is great in it too. I liked parts of it and I'm sure not many agree but so what?

This film begins with what might just be the cheapest looking opening credits in film history. Frankly, a home movie of the time might look almost as bad! This did NOT bode well for the rest of the movie.

As for the plot, despite the title, the movie is NOT about Satan Worshipers or Satanism--it apparently is referring to drugs! The film begins with Cutter (George Montgomery) arriving in Africa after inheriting a plantation. However, as soon as he steps off the plane, many wild attempts are made on his life. It turns out he is a private detective and like a typical action hero, he refuses to let the cops do their job and vows to kick butt and ask questions later! However, oddly, soon the 'action' switches to the African interior and little happens other than some routine plantation business. Eventually, the baddies once again try to kill Cutter--but once again they prove to be incompetent idiots.

Unfortunately for the film, Montgomery didn't strike me as the macho action hero type...and believing his routine was not easy--especially since, at times, he seemed half asleep and was a tad old for such a role. It also didn't help that many of the supporting characters were played very poorly. 'Ike' was played with LESS subtlety than Foster Brooks' impersonation of a drunk (though he did have interesting hair). Tippi Hedren was far from her best--possibly the result of a dull script and indifferent direction. Additionally, much of this film comes off like a travelogue--with lots of native scenes and animals as obvious filler. I frankly wonder if perhaps Tippi and George simply starred in this cheapo film to get a trip to South Africa!

So is this film worth seeing? Well, not really. But if you are stuck seeing it, at least you can try something fun. As you hear Montgomery talking, shut your eyes and listen. Doesn't his voice sound a lot like DeForest Kelley's?

Cutter Murdock (George Montgomery) arrives in South Africa to visit the ranch he's inherited. Within the first ten minutes of Murdock's stepping off the plane he's shot at, almost blown up, and caught in the middle of a gun battle!

At this point, one might believe that this is going to be the most exciting movie ever made!

Not so fast, buckaroo.

Once at the ranch, yes, Murdock is shot at by Tippi Hedren's character, Marla. This is followed by a period of relative calm, while Murdock gets acquainted with the land, his drunken uncle, his workers, and Marla.

This is accentuated by nature footage, happy natives singing songs, and budding romance. Don't worry though, it's not long before Murdock is in trouble with those who've been using the ranch for illegal purposes.

Murdock is shot at again, attacked by dogs, hit in the head with a big wrench, and sent hurtling down a mineshaft!

In spite of all this, SATAN'S HARVEST is pretty slow. It's also enjoyable to watch, that is as long as Murdock's life is in danger! Montgomery's macho man persona is a riot! Worth watching at your next chuckle fest...