Elephant Boy

Elephant Boy is a 1937 British adventure film directed by Robert J. Flaherty and Zoltan Korda, starring Sabu in his debut performance, alongside W.E. Holloway and Walter Hudd. This movie marks the introduction of Indian actor Sabu to western audiences. The film is a creative version of Rudyard Kipling's classic "Toomai of the Elephants." Korda and Flaherty skillfully marry the raw documentary-style footage with dramatic storytelling to create an indelible cinematic experience.

In the film, Sabu stars as Toomai, a young and sprightly Indian boy who has a connection with nature and animals that few can comprehend. His chief companion and ally is his majestic elephant partner, Kala Nag, around whom most of the film's narrative develops. The boy and his elephant have been together since they both were young, and they have developed a close bond, one that transcends the usual human-animal associations. Sabu's character steeped in innocence and naturalism, lends a fresh, authentic charm to the narrative, making the character of Toomai a captivating one to observe.

The movie's setting is the vast, wild, and gargantuan jungles of India, depicted in a manner that wraps viewers in the region's charm. From the grand landscapes to the dense jungle fauna, Flaherty and Korda manage to capture the grandeur of the Indian wilderness that adds an extra dimension to the film's narrative.

W.E Holloway and Walter Hudd play crucial roles in the narrative, contributing to the film's tension and drama with their performances. Holloway plays the character of Petersen, a gruff, adventure-seeking British hunter. Petersen hopes to see the legendary elephant dance, a mythical event nobody has yet witnessed. Walter Hudd plays the role of a Colonial official who challenges Toomai's capacity to navigate the dangers of the wild. The dynamic among the characters forms the nexus of the film's dramatic tensions.

The crux of the narrative lies in the mission to find a herd of wild elephants, an endeavor deemed risky and extremely challenging. Toomai, owing to his unique rapport with elephants and the jungle's inhabitants, becomes an invaluable asset in this pursuit. The film showcases how the boy, with his wisdom of nature, triumphs over the more experienced adults' skepticism.

A significant commendation must be pointed towards the cinematography of the film, which plays a critical role in making Elephant Boy a visual feast. Through the creative use of camera angles and inventive shots, directors manage to capture India's magnificence in the 1930s, whilst weaving a tale of a young boy's extraordinary adventures.

Moreover, the film brilliantly combines fact and fiction, introducing elements of a documentary-style in Flaherty's filmmaking into a fictional film. The narrative effectively showcases actualities of Indian life and intersperses them with Rudyard Kipling's fantastical elements, making it a unique experiment in genre-blending.

In essence, Elephant Boy is much more than a tale of an Indian boy and his elephant. There is an exploration of universal themes, such as breaking down barriers, confronting societal prejudices, and showcasing the wisdom found in humility and innocence. Symbolically, it was one of the first films that showed the West a vivid glimpse of the charisma of the East.

In conclusion, Elephant Boy, with its original narrative and scenic production, brings a sense of wonder and excitement, appealing to audiences of varying ages and cultural backgrounds. The evocative performances, particularly by Sabu, leave an enduring impact, making Elephant Boy a truly memorable cinematic offering from the late 1930s.