bkoganbing I hope Orson Welles enjoyed himself far more than he and the rest of the cast did when Welles was in Africa making The Roots Of Heaven. On that location nearly everyone in the cast became ill and Eddie Albert almost died. But that was a much better film than The Southern Star.The title refers to a really big diamond that was found on the lands belonging to Harry Andrews who's an old Boer and old boor. While at a big clambake Andrews is throwing someone snatches the big jewel from under his nose and suspicion falls on Johnny Sekka who is a native and friend to fortune hunting George Segal. Segal is seeking his fortune by marrying Ursula Andress who is Andrews's daughter and that's not a match made in heaven. So when Sekka runs the rest of the cast is seeking him for their own agendas. One of them is Orson Welles who used to be Andrews's head of security which is a euphemism for the private police that Andrews employs. And the current head of security Ian Hendry is seeking the big rock and Ursula both.This is based on a Jules Verne novel, one of his lesser known works. Even being a Frenchman I doubt Verne meant any of the double entendres and only somewhat humorous lines that are present in this film. Someone decided this novel was good for satire and the results fell flat.The location cinematography of Senegal standing in for South Africa is the best thing The Southern Star has going for it. Also Orson Welles knew he was in one of those films he did for the money to finance his own work and had himself a bit of fun with his role.Not the best jungle feature out there.

Oslo Jargo (Bartok Kinski) (Contains spoilers) The Southern Star (1968) starts out sluggish and it doesn't even pick up steam. It is unsure whether it wants to be a violent jungle manhunt flick or just a lazy adolescent comedy. I don't mind a little humour, but The Southern Star is so lackluster even in that, that nothing seems to work.The plot is about a native Negro from French West Africa, who is friends with a white man who is engaged to Ursula Andress (as Erica Kramer), whose father, Kramer (English film actor Harry Andrews), does not like the arrangement. He's a ruthless diamond mine owner. George Segal doesn't do much either. He is the friend of the native Negro who may have stolen a diamond. Now I like George Segal (King Rat (1965), The Bridge at Remagen (1969)) but he doesn't have a good script and can't show us his prowess. Ursula Andress is eye candy and nothing else.To bring in some conflict in the "story", they have a jealous rival to George Segal. Ian Hendry as Capt. Karl Ludwig doesn't like George Segal so he attempts to kill him and is following him. The whole film is about the chase through the jungle. In one stupid scene, George Segal starts a stampede with a few matches. The film is peppered with excessive stock footage of African animals. Orson Welles, as usual, drinks his way lazily through the film. In another scene, Ursula Andress, falls near a Cobra, again, stock footage is used and the scene looks so preposterous because the "dimension" of the Cobra stock footage is too big.The characters don't really appear to be French at all, but more like Boers (Dutch and Afrikaners) or English blokes. Every jungle cliché is thrown in for good measure, quicksand, snake attacks, wooden bridge over river, soldiers who can't shoot, etc.This is an average, dull affair, which doesn't really engage the viewer. It won't hurt to look at it, but don't expect much.

Kieran Green 'The Southern Star' is a cracking Adventure Caper based on a Jules Verne novel, It's set in the beautifully widescreen photographed plains of Africa Circa 1900. The title refers to a massive Diamond discovered by George Segal in a river bed,It is taken from Segal by pompous Kramer Harry Andrews, It is later snacthed by appealing African actor Johnny Sekka, with Segal's love interest and Kramer's daughter (the ravishing Ursula Andress) in tow the pair go off in search of the elusive stone, Ian Hendry is the pursuing former lover of Andress intent on claiming the stone, George Segal was at the fledgling height of his popularity here as ever he is always watchable what ever role he is cast in. Check out the 'revealing' river bathing scene with Ursula Andress it goes to show why she will always be remembered as the consummate Bond girl. Orson Welles has a small role as an over the top Gay/Camp Sgt Major. All in all 'The Southern Stone' is a great picture. i'm glad that it's finally available on DVD the quality is great.

ma-cortes The picture is set in West Africa where we find a roguish geologist adventurer ( George Segal ) and his helper ( Johnny Sekka ), there both of whom encounter a hot rock . But the gem is nevertheless ownership a magnate ( Harry Andrews ) whose gorgeous daughter ( Ursula Andress )is enamored the rogue adventurer . The chief ( Ian Hendry ) of his private troops schemes to get the girl and the diamond . Besides , an ex-security chief ( Orson Welles ) equally tries to steal the precious gem .This amusing film displays action , adventures , humor , rip-roaring and lots of fun . The movie is narrated by means of a continuous pursuit in the jungle and we are seeing several African animals although the most by an excessive use of stock-shots , thus stampeding buffalo , elephants , gnus, lions , snake... and a peculiar thief ostrich . This unknown motion picture obtained limited success in spite of a first-rate cast and result to be immensely agreeable . The tale based on Jules Verne novel is regularly directed by Sidney Hayers . Rating : Average but entertaining . It's a good stuff for young people who enjoy enormously with the extraordinary adventures in the lush jungle.