You are here:

The African Elephant

Name: The African Elephant
Director: Simon Trevor
Released: 1971
Duration: 92 min

Representation Score

2.0/10

Limited

1971

Director

Simon Trevor

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The African Elephant is a traditional observational documentary that prioritizes the visual documentation of nature over social discourse. It functions as a straightforward study of elephants and other African wildlife, moving slightly beyond standard predatory-prey clichés to explore more curious aspects of animal life. Since the subject matter is strictly zoological, the film lacks any engagement with human identity, social hierarchies, or multi-layered themes. It adheres to the standard documentary conventions of the early 1970s, focusing on biological curiosity rather than cultural or political critique. Ultimately, the work is a product of its time. It avoids aggressive conservationist propaganda but fails to offer any intentional representation of human diversity or social roles.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The African Elephant have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The documentary focuses solely on animals and does not include any human characters or narratives involving LGBTQ+ identities.

How does The African Elephant portray gender?

Limited

The film centers on animal behavior and biological hierarchies. It lacks human social structures or gender-based commentary.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The African Elephant?

Limited

The film documents African wildlife but does not delve into human presence. It may reflect a colonial perspective typical of 1970s nature documentaries.

How does The African Elephant represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film avoids heavy-handed political or moralizing messages. Its preservationist themes are implied rather than presented as systemic critiques.

Does The African Elephant include disability representation?

Minimal

As a study of animal life, the film contains no human characters or narratives regarding disability.

Present on Screen

Avoids heavy-handed ecological propaganda common in early conservation cinema.
Focuses on unique aspects of elephant life

Limited or Absent

Does not represent human social structures or ability to act
Does not engage with multi-layered themes or systemic cultural critique
May rely on a colonial perspective regarding the African landscape and its people

Official Synopsis

African Elephant originally played in theatres as King Elephant.. The film is a straightforward, well-photographed documentary concentrating on....well, look at the title. Avoiding the obvious, filmmaker Simon Trevor focuses on the more curious aspects of elephant life. In addition to the mighty pachyderm, we are given intriguing glimpses of other forms of African wildlife. African Elephant has no overt ecological ax to grind, but the preservationist message is there by implication.

How are these scores produced? →