The story of a modern – albeit reluctant – Moses leading a tribe 300 miles across Africa begins when he is thrown unconscious into a river with his caravan by some enraged Africans.
Carnival trader and diamond smuggler Joe Moses (Robert Mitchum) is the victim of the escapade, and Julie Anderson (Carroll Baker), the local missionary’s daughter and village nurse, is the one who tends to his wounds and makes his life a little easier.
Soon recovered, Joe determines to leave the Kenyan village where he is stranded as soon as possible. To provide food for his journey, he puts on a magic show for the villagers who pay for admittance with food.
Before he can leave, however, Julie’s fiance Robert (Ian Bannen), the District Officer, arrives to throw the villagers out as the area is about to be flooded for a new dam.
After a good start, the trek is sabotaged by the former witch doctor’s son, Ubi (Raymond St.Jacques), a conniving and streetwise young man who has spent time living in Harlem in New York.
Moses manages to regain control of the tribe after a fight and completes the journey, only to face arrest for his smuggling activities.
The music is by John Barry.
Joe Moses
Robert Mitchum
Julie Anderson
Carroll Baker
Robert
Ian Bannen
Rev. Anderson
Alexander Knox
Ubi
Raymond St. Jacques
Chief
Orlando Martins
Parkhurst
Reginald Beckwith
Director
Ronald Neame