The Southern Star (film)

The Southern Star is a 1969 adventure comedy film directed by Sidney Hayers and starring George Segal, Ursula Andress, Orson Welles, and Ian Hendry. It is based on the novel L'Étoile du Sud by Jules Verne. The film follows the exploits of an adventurous American named Dan Rockland (Segal) who becomes entangled in a plot to steal a massive diamond, "The Southern Star," in French West Africa (filmed primarily in Spain and Morocco).

The plot revolves around the diamond's discovery and the ensuing scramble for it, involving various characters, including a corrupt police inspector (Welles), a beautiful woman named Erica Kramer (Andress), and a manipulative adventurer, Plankett (Hendry). The film features elements of slapstick comedy, action sequences, and exotic locales, characteristic of many adventure films of the period. While not a critical darling, The Southern Star is often remembered for its cast and its light-hearted take on adventure storytelling.