IMDb RATING
7.0/10
692
YOUR RATING
Ten year old Sammy travels 4500 miles on his own from the Suez Canal to Durban, South Africa.Ten year old Sammy travels 4500 miles on his own from the Suez Canal to Durban, South Africa.Ten year old Sammy travels 4500 miles on his own from the Suez Canal to Durban, South Africa.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
- Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 2 nominations total
Patricia English
- Mrs. Hartland
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
10mg-29
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.
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.
10willb65
I saw this film when I was ten when it was first released. I have only seen it once but can vividly remember it. My father had already died and Sammy's experience of returning to his home and finding it bombed and his parents dead had a profound effect on me. I lived the fear as Sammy travelled south. I have often thought about the film but have never seen it again. I have tried to find it on DVD but unsuccessfully as I assume it's never been released. I remember Sammy's resolve and determination to complete his journey but I can also remember lying awake at night wondering if I would be orphaned. A fantastic film, release it on DVD.
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?
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?
I saw this movie by myself as a young boy - and for years I thought I had dreamed the whole thing. As an adult (an psychologist) years later I realized how the movie impacted me and touched something deep in myself about how a boy who has lost everything - must make a long journey 'south' (symbolic of the unknown - unconscious - what better metaphor than traversing Africa) to find himself and the man who is living inside of him. I have looked for years for a copy - and wonder why to this day it has not been released on VHS or DVD - if anyone knows where it can be found I would LOVE to know. For those interested the book is wonderful as well - but doesn't have the 'feel' and 'power' the images in the movie left upon me.
My review is based on my one viewing of this movie. I saw it in 1967, two years after its release. I was seven years old. My elementary school was showing it after school. I went because the title intrigued me. The title in this country was A BOY TEN FEET TALL. There was a poster on the wall, made by a student (or a teacher) with the title in big letters next to a line drawing of an extremely tall boy. The actual movie was disappointingly realistic to me. I was expecting something like a Popeye cartoon. Ever since seeing it I've asked fellow movie buffs if they remember a movie in which Edward G. Robinson gives sage advice to a boy in the jungle. Nobody I know has ever heard of this. Maybe the fact that it is also called SAMMY GOING SOUTH has caused confusion, because I have always referred to it as A BOY TEN FEET TALL. In the half-a-lifetime since seeing this, I've come to realize that Edward G. Robinson gave it his all. Late-career Edward G. was truly a scene-stealer. He's the reason we remember SOYLENT GREEN. I'll give it 7 stars because I saw it when I was seven and seven is a lucky number. I was lucky to see what has become a rare performance by a great actor.
Did you know
- TriviaOn 18 June 1962, while filming scenes in Kenya's bush country, Edward G. Robinson suffered a heart attack. After being rushed to the capital city of Nairobi where he spent several days, he was flown to London. Following several weeks of rest and medical supervision, he was released from hospital and was able to finish the film.
- Quotes
Cocky Wainwright: [about Sammy] He wants to stay. I want him to stay. So, he stays.
- Alternate versionsOriginally released at 118 minutes but shortened to 88 for US release. TV version restores missing footage.
- ConnectionsReferenced in What's My Line?: Edward G. Robinson (4) (1962)
- SoundtracksLogo (Main Title) - Overture
Written and Performed by Tristram Cary
- How long is A Boy Ten Feet Tall?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- A Boy Ten Feet Tall
- Filming locations
- The Winter Palace Hotel, Luxor(the Hotel scenes after being rescued from the Colossi of Memnon)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- £385,000 (estimated)
- Runtime
- 2h 8m(128 min)
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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