Africa Express is a lowbrow comedy made by the Italians, shot in Africa, and badly dubbed into English. It stars western actor Giuliano Gemma playing an adventurer trying to make some cash. He hooks up with Bond girl Ursula Andress as the pair elude a sinister big game hunter, played by the reliably entertaining Jack Palance. The film is an episodic adventure with all of the usual - i.e. clichéd - situations involving local natives and local wildlife. I found it all pretty dumb, if I'm honest, with little in the way of wit or insight to entertain. Gemma tries hard to charm but feels a bit lightweight while Andress is there as a clothes horse alone. Only Palance entertains in his small role. This is one of those films you sit through for the sake of the actors but get little from overall. Interestingly, Gemma's companion in this film is a chimpanzee, so this might have influenced the famous Eastwood pic EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE.

Although the three leads are well-cast (Giuliano Gemma as the good-hearted hero who is also good with his fists, Ursula Andress as the supposed "nun" who is actually a spy on a mission, Jack Palance as the pipe-smoking villain), and Gemma's alternately helpful and troublemaking pet chimp is impressively trained, "Africa Express" is just a mildly amusing action comedy, about on the level of a lesser Bud Spencer - Terence Hill movie. And although it's always nice to see an actress like Ursula, who has been used in her career mainly as "just" a sex symbol, taking on a more empowered role, there is just too much padding between the moments where she springs into action (don't expect too much flesh-exposure either, this is basically family stuff). OK for one viewing but that's about it. (**)

Several of the locals were used in bit parts in the film. One of these locals was Fanie Pretorius, who was a top hunter in the 70's. He is now retired, but remains something of a legend in the Victoria Falls region (more so for his knowledge of the African bush than his role in the movie).In the film, he does a scene with Ursula Andress and plays (co-incidentally) a hunter. He even had a few lines of dialogue!Definitely a great film that captures the essence of Africa in the 70's.

This is a lot of fun to watch, I've seen it quite a few times, own the soundtrack (am playing it now - has the cool "Maeba" african song) and am a big fan of Biba the Chimp! ;-) Giuliano Gemma gets a chance to play a comic role tailored specifically for him, Ursula Andress is very sexy and Jack Palance chew up the scenery at every turn. This film had a sequel called Safari Express with the same cast as the original, but is harder to find. To add to the confusion, some distributors released both this movie and the sequel as "Tropical Express"!! I still recommend this as a great family film. Kids will love the animals and parents will appreciate the intelligent humour. Then the parents might kill the kids if they don't stop saying "Maeba" around the house.Too bad there were only two in this series. Maybe it's not too late for a reunion? :o)