How a 1979 Italian comedy turned safari guides into unlikely animal rights crusaders
In short: In the 1979 adventure comedy I'm for the Hippopotamus, legendary duo Terence Hill and Bud Spencer play feuding cousins in Rhodesia. When a ruthless ivory trafficker threatens their livelihood and the local wildlife, the pair must set aside their differences to orchestrate a daring rescue mission against a common foe.
Directed by Italo Zingarelli, the film follows Tom, a safari organizer who secretly protects animals by loading his clients' rifles with blanks. His life is upended by the arrival of his cousin Slim. Though the two were raised by the same Zimbabwean woman after losing their parents, they share a volatile relationship defined by constant rivalry and conflicting approaches to their business.
The plot escalates when the local gangster Jack Ormond, played by Bugner, attempts to buy out the cousins to facilitate his illegal ivory trafficking. After Ormond destroys their safari bus, the pair retaliates by liberating animals from his private estate. This act of defiance leads to a series of confrontations, including a dramatic escape from police custody and a final showdown aboard one of Ormond's cargo ships destined for Canada.
The film concludes with the cousins seizing control of the vessel, releasing the captive animals, and sailing toward the Maldives. Despite a warning from the ship's captain that their actions constitute piracy, Slim dismisses the legal threat, declaring the matter finished. Beyond the narrative, the film is remembered for its soundtrack, particularly the theme song Grau Grau Grau, composed and performed by Walter Rizzati with lead vocals by Bud Spencer, which remains a staple for the duo's international fans.
The production, shot primarily in South Africa, features a supporting cast including Dawn Jürgens as Stella, and henchmen played by Les Marcowitz, Mike Schutte, and Kosie Smith. While the film is a classic example of the Spencer and Hill partnership, it also serves as a lighthearted exploration of themes like animal protection and the triumph of the underdog against organized crime, cementing its place in the history of Italian adventure cinema.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: I'm for the Hippopotamus
- Also: Io sto con gli ippopotami
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