Out of Africa (1985)

Last updated:
September 21, 2025

Out of Africa (1985), directed by Sydney Pollack, is an epic romantic drama adapted from Isak Dinesen’s memoir (the pen name of Danish author Karen Blixen). The film became a sweeping success both critically and commercially, blending romance, colonial history, and breathtaking landscapes into one of the most memorable films of the 1980s.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Beginning: Karen Blixen’s New Life

The story follows Karen Blixen (played by Meryl Streep), a Danish woman who moves to Kenya in the early 20th century. She enters into a marriage of convenience with Baron Bror Blixen (Klaus Maria Brandauer), expecting a lifestyle of refinement and stability. Instead, she finds herself managing a struggling coffee plantation in the hills of Nairobi.

The Struggles of Colonial Life

Karen’s marriage quickly crumbles, as Bror is unfaithful and irresponsible. Left to fend for herself, Karen takes control of the coffee farm. She faces cultural challenges, disease, and financial strain, all while trying to adapt to the harsh but beautiful African landscape. Her resilience wins the respect of the local Kikuyu people, but her personal life remains deeply unsettled.

Meeting Denys Finch Hatton

Karen develops a close relationship with Denys Finch Hatton (Robert Redford), a free-spirited big-game hunter and adventurer. Their romance becomes the emotional core of the film. Denys embodies freedom and a refusal to conform, which contrasts sharply with Karen’s desire for commitment and permanence.

Love and Tensions

Though their relationship is passionate, Karen and Denys often clash. She longs for stability, while he insists on remaining unattached and independent. Despite these differences, they share unforgettable experiences—flying across the African plains, going on safaris, and engaging in deep philosophical conversations about life and freedom.

Tragedy Strikes

Karen’s plantation continues to face difficulties, and eventually, a devastating fire destroys much of it. Just as she is losing her livelihood, tragedy deepens: Denys dies in a plane crash while piloting his beloved biplane. This devastating loss marks the emotional climax of the film.

Movie Ending

The ending of Out of Africa is bittersweet and poignant. After Denys’s death, Karen is forced to sell her plantation and leave Africa altogether. A farewell ceremony is held with the Kikuyu workers, who present her with gifts and express their gratitude for her kindness and leadership.

The film closes with Karen’s narration, reflecting on her years in Africa and the profound impact the land and its people had on her. She never returns, but the audience is left with the sense that Africa defined her life more than any other place. The final image—a lion resting on Denys’s grave—symbolizes the eternal bond between man, nature, and the continent itself.

It’s a conclusion that underscores love, loss, and the impermanence of human endeavors against the backdrop of Africa’s timeless landscape.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Out of Africa does not have any post-credits scenes. The story concludes with the grave of Denys Finch Hatton and Karen’s reflective narration, providing a definitive closure without additional material after the credits.

Type of Movie

The film is a romantic drama and biographical epic. It blends historical storytelling with sweeping romance and powerful themes of colonialism, personal independence, and love.

Cast

Meryl Streep as Karen Blixen
Robert Redford as Denys Finch Hatton
Klaus Maria Brandauer as Baron Bror Blixen
Michael Kitchen as Berkeley Cole
Malick Bowens as Farah Aden
Joseph Thiaka as Kamante

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by John Barry, and it became one of the film’s defining features. His lush orchestral themes, particularly the iconic main title and the soaring music used during the flying scenes, remain some of the most celebrated film music ever written. Barry won the Academy Award for Best Original Score for this work.

Filming Locations

The film was shot primarily in Kenya, near the actual Ngong Hills where Karen Blixen’s real farm was located. Additional scenes were filmed in the UK for interiors. Filming in Kenya was crucial, as the vast savannas, wildlife, and real settings provided authenticity and breathtaking cinematography that could not have been recreated on a soundstage.

Awards and Nominations

Academy Awards (Oscars): Won 7, including Best Picture, Best Director (Sydney Pollack), Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Sound, Best Original Score (John Barry), and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Nominated for 4 more, including Best Actress (Meryl Streep) and Best Actor (Robert Redford).

The film also received Golden Globes and BAFTA awards, solidifying its status as one of the greatest epics of the 1980s.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Sydney Pollack initially hesitated to cast Meryl Streep, worrying she wasn’t “glamorous” enough for the role. Streep proved him wrong with her powerful performance.
Robert Redford’s American accent was retained instead of adopting a British one, as Pollack felt his star power would carry the character without confusion.
The production faced difficulties filming in Africa, from unpredictable weather to logistical challenges with wildlife.
Meryl Streep lived in Kenya during production to immerse herself in the environment and better understand her character’s world.

Inspirations and References

The film is based on the memoir Out of Africa by Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen), published in 1937. It also draws from her later works and other biographies about her relationship with Denys Finch Hatton.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No alternate endings are publicly known. Some deleted scenes involved more detail about Karen’s early struggles on the farm, but Sydney Pollack kept the film focused on the romance and emotional themes.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The book is less of a linear love story and more of a collection of reflections on Africa, its people, and Karen’s experiences. The movie emphasizes her relationship with Denys Finch Hatton, while the book is more philosophical and less romantically centered.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Karen’s arrival in Africa, where her expectations clash with reality.
The tense lion attack scene, showcasing Africa’s danger.
The breathtaking flying sequence with Denys over the African plains.
The fire that destroys the plantation.
Denys’s funeral, marked by quiet grief and symbolic imagery.

Iconic Quotes

“I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills.”
“He even took the gramophone on safari. Three rifles, supplies for a month, and Mozart.”
“When you have caught the rhythm of Africa, you find out it is the same in all her music.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Karen Blixen’s real home in Nairobi is now the Karen Blixen Museum, and parts of the movie were filmed nearby.
The actual Denys Finch Hatton is buried in Ngong Hills, where the film’s final shot was staged.
Some costumes worn by Meryl Streep were inspired directly by photographs of the real Karen Blixen.

Trivia

The movie grossed over $200 million worldwide, making it a box office success despite being a period drama.
Sydney Pollack himself appears in a cameo as Karen’s lawyer.
Karen Blixen’s estate in Denmark was consulted to ensure historical accuracy.

Why Watch?

This film is a must-watch for fans of sweeping epics, unforgettable cinematography, and deep, character-driven romances. It combines history, adventure, and heartache, all framed against one of the most stunning landscapes ever captured on film.

Director’s Other Movies

Tootsie (1982)
The Firm (1993)
The Way We Were (1973)
They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969)

Out of Africa (1985)