Hatari!

Hatari!

Year: 1962

Runtime: 157 mins

Language: English

Director: Howard Hawks

ActionComedyAdventureRelationship comedyEpic adventure and breathtaking battles

The film’s title translates as fun, adventure, and thrills. A determined female wildlife photographer arrives at an East African reservation, where a group of men capture wild animals for zoos and traveling circuses. She becomes involved in their risky enterprise amid the African wilderness.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Hatari! yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Hatari! (1962)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Hatari! (1962). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1960s

Set during a 1960s safari season in Tanganyika, the film uses vintage off-road vehicles, cages, and nets for capturing wildlife. The era's adventurous tone colors the expeditions, rivalries, and romantic entanglements that unfold during a single capture season.

Location

Tanganyika, Arusha

The story unfolds on Tanganyika's savanna and game reserves around Arusha, where the Momella Safari Company operates. The setting includes safari camps, roads, and a hospital in Arusha where the Indian is treated after a rhino attack. The Waarusha village and elephant orphanage figure into the events, including the Mama Tembo lineage.

🗺️ Africa 🐘 Safari

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:21

Main Characters – Hatari! (1962)

Meet the key characters of Hatari! (1962), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sean Mercer (John Wayne)

The Irish-American leader of Momella's capture expeditions. He is practical and determined, keeping the operation running while guarding his emotions after a broken engagement. He negotiates risk, loyalty, and romance as the season unfolds.

🤝 Leadership 🧭 Safari ❤️ Romance

Little Wolf (Bruce Cabot)

A Native American sharpshooter known as 'The Indian.' He endures a rhino attack, demonstrates loyalty to the team, and forms a quiet bond with Chips. He helps keep the crew focused on the safety and skill required for wildlife work.

🏹 Sharpshooter 🧭 Stoic 🐺 Loyalty

Charles 'Chips' Maurey (Gérard Blain)

A skilled marksman who initially clashes with Kurt but gradually becomes a trusted teammate. He proves essential in the medical moment by assisting during the Indian's transfusion and earns a place within the crew.

🎯 Marksman 🧬 Blood Type 🤝 Rivalry to Friendship

Kurt Muller (Hardy Krüger)

A brash, former German race car driver who brings speed and competitiveness to the team. He shares tension with Chips and pursues Brandy, but gradually becomes part of the team dynamic.

🏁 Racer 🤝 Rivalry 🧭 Adventurer

Luis Francisco Garcia Lopez (Valentin de Vargas)

Mexican bullfighter who travels with the crew as part of the safari operation. He contributes to the group's diverse dynamic and participates in the elephant encounters and animal captures.

🎭 Entertainer 🐂 Bullfighter 🧭 Explorer

Pockets (Red Buttons)

A former NYC cabbie turned safari crew member who adds humor and risk-taking to the group. He secretly harbors feelings for Brandy, and his bold net-launching stunt becomes a standout moment.

😂 Comic relief 🧭 Risk-taker 💘 Unrequited love

Anna Maria 'Dallas' D'Allesandro (Elsa Martinelli)

An Italian photographer sent by a major client to accompany the crew. She quickly blends with the team, develops a romantic arc with Sean, and demonstrates compassion by adopting elephant calves.

📷 Photographer ❤️ Romance 🐘 Compassion

Brandy de la Court (Michèle Girardon)

French owner of Momella who leads the operation and navigates the crew's dynamics as romantic pursuits unfold around her. She shows strong concern for others, notably Pockets, and remains central to the expedition.

💼 Leadership ❤️ Romance 🐘 Animal Lover

Dr. Sanderson (Eduard Franz)

The physician at Arusha hospital who treats the Indian after the rhino attack, providing a steady, professional presence in a crisis.

🏥 Doctor 🩹 Medical 🕊️ Care

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:21

Major Themes – Hatari! (1962)

Explore the central themes of Hatari! (1962), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🤝 Teamwork

The crew's success hinges on trust and cooperation, with rivalries smoothing into camaraderie as Kurt and Chips form an unlikely friendship. Dallas's arrival tests the team but ultimately helps unite multiple personalities toward a common mission. The narrative emphasizes how shared danger can strengthen bonds beyond personal differences.

❤️ Romance

Romantic tensions drive several plot threads, from Sean's guarded relationship past to his growing attraction to Dallas. Dallas's compassionate presence nudges Sean toward emotional openness, while Brandy becomes a focal point of affection from Pockets and others. The romance unfolds against the backdrop of dangerous wildlife work.

🐘 Wildlife & Compassion

Dallas adopts an orphaned elephant calf and a second one follows, highlighting a softer, humane response to wildlife. The elephants become symbols of care and interspecies bonds, influencing the crew's attitudes toward capturing more animals. The elephants' story contrasts with the capture season's commercial aims.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:21

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Hatari!

Don't stop at just watching — explore Hatari! in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Hatari! is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Hatari! Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Hatari!, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Hatari! Summary

Hatari! Timeline

Track the full timeline of Hatari! with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Hatari! Timeline

More About Hatari!

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Hatari!: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Hatari!

Similar Movies to Hatari!

Discover movies like Hatari! that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.