The Roots of Heaven

The Roots of Heaven

Of human laughter, wonder and tenderness !

Directed by John Huston

Produced by Darryl F. Zanuck Productions, 20th Century Fox

1958121 min6.2 / 10

An idealistic adventure about environmental activism and human connection set against the African landscape, driven by moral conviction and the gathering of diverse allies around a noble cause.

In French Equatorial Africa, an idealist campaigns to save the African elephant, gaining support from a nightclub hostess and an ex-soldier. His cause attracts a mix of characters, including a U.S. commentator, a government aide opposed to him, and an ivory hunter with conflicting interests.

Questions people ask

  • Does The Roots of Heaven end with hope? Yes. More hopeful than 81% of films.

  • Is The Roots of Heaven easy watching? Somewhat. More comforting than 71% of films.

  • Is The Roots of Heaven scary? Not especially. Less frightening than 65% of films.

  • Is The Roots of Heaven sad? Not especially. Less sad than 59% of films.

  • Is The Roots of Heaven violent? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

Written about

33/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

You have seen this shape before.

Rarity78

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise8

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love30

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like The Roots of Heaven

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as The Roots of Heaven

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like The Roots of Heaven, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like The Roots of Heaven, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like The Roots of Heaven, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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