Jim Varney was a genius. Honestly, if you grew up in the eighties or nineties, you knew Ernest P. Worrell was more than just a rubber-faced guy in a denim vest. He was a cultural phenomenon. But by the time Ernest Goes to Africa rolled around in 1997, things had changed. The magic was thinning out.
It’s weird to think about now. Varney had this incredible Shakespearean background, yet he spent a decade getting hit in the face with ladders and falling off buildings for our amusement. By 1997, the big studio money from Disney’s Touchstone Pictures was long gone. The franchise had moved into the world of direct-to-video releases. That shift changed everything about the vibe, the quality, and—let's be real—the humor.
What Actually Happens in Ernest Goes to Africa?
The plot is basically a fever dream. Ernest is living in Ohio, working as a janitor, and trying to impress a girl named Rene. He buys some jewels at a flea market to make her a "pre-Columbian" necklace, but he doesn't realize the stones are actually stolen diamonds worth millions.
Then the kidnappers show up.
Before you know it, Ernest is being stuffed into a shipping crate and sent to Johannesburg. It’s the classic "fish out of water" trope, but dialed up to eleven. Varney is doing his best, but you can tell the budget isn't what it used to be. The film was actually shot in South Africa to save money, which gives it a look that’s significantly different from the lush greenery of Ernest Goes to Camp or the cozy feel of Ernest Saves Christmas.
The Problem With the Script
The writing feels rushed. In the earlier films, Ernest was a "lovable loser," but he had a certain heart. In Ernest Goes to Africa, he feels a bit more like a caricature of himself. There’s a scene where he dresses up in drag—something Varney did frequently and quite well—to infiltrate a high-end party. It’s funny, sure. But the stakes feel lower because we know the formula so well by this point.
Director Coke Sams, who was a long-time collaborator with Varney, does what he can with the resources. But the narrative is choppy. One minute he’s in a marketplace, the next he's being hunted by tribal warriors. It lacks the cohesive charm that made Ernest Scared Stupid a cult classic.
The Real Struggle Behind the Scenes
You have to look at where Jim Varney was in 1997. He wasn't doing great.
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He was a heavy smoker. Like, really heavy. During the filming of Ernest Goes to Africa, the physical toll of his lifestyle and the grueling schedule of independent film production were starting to show. He still had that incredible elastic face, but the energy levels were dipping.
A lot of people don't realize that the "Ernest" character started as a local commercial pitchman in Nashville. John Cherry and the team at Carden & Cherry created him to sell everything from dairy products to gas stations. When the character went global, Varney felt a bit trapped. He loved Ernest, but he also wanted to do more. He wanted to be a serious actor.
The Toy Story Factor
Ironically, while the Ernest movies were moving into the bargain bin at Blockbuster, Varney’s voice was becoming more iconic than ever. He was Slinky Dog in Toy Story (1995). He was getting work in major films like The Beverly Hillbillies.
So why keep doing movies like Ernest Goes to Africa?
Contractual obligations and a sense of loyalty played a part. Varney was loyal to John Cherry and the crew that made him a star. He never wanted to leave them behind, even if the scripts were getting thinner and the stunts were getting more dangerous for a man in his late 40s.
Why Ernest Goes to Africa Still Matters to Fans
Despite the flaws, there is a weird, nostalgic pull to this movie. For a certain generation, any Ernest movie is a "comfort" movie. It doesn't have to be Citizen Kane. It just has to have Jim Varney looking into the camera and saying, "Knowhutimean, Vern?"
The film explores themes that are... well, they’re dated. Let’s be honest. The depiction of Africa is very much a 1990s Hollywood caricature. It’s full of tropes and broad stereotypes that wouldn't fly today. But if you view it through the lens of its time, it’s a fascinating relic of the direct-to-video boom.
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The Practical Effects
One thing I genuinely miss about this era of filmmaking is the practical stuff. Even in a lower-budget flick like this, they aren't relying on bad CGI for everything. When something explodes, it actually explodes. When Ernest falls, it’s a stuntman or Varney himself actually hitting the ground. There’s a weight to it that modern low-budget digital films lack.
Was it a Box Office Failure?
It’s hard to track "box office" for a movie that was primarily a home video play. However, the internal numbers for Hallmark Entertainment (who distributed it) weren't exactly record-breaking. It did well enough to warrant one more film—Ernest in the Army—but the writing was on the wall.
The audience was growing up. The kids who loved Ernest in 1987 were teenagers in 1997. They were watching Scream and The Matrix. They weren't looking for a guy who gets his tongue stuck to a block of ice anymore.
Ernest Goes to Africa sits in this awkward middle ground. It’s not "classic" Ernest, but it’s not "bad" enough to be ignored. It’s just... there. It’s a testament to Varney’s sheer charisma that he could carry a movie with such a flimsy premise and still make you crack a smile during the "Auntie Nelda" segments.
Technical Details and Trivia
If you’re a film nerd, you might appreciate these specific bits of info:
- Location: Filmed entirely on location in Johannesburg and surrounding areas of South Africa.
- The "Lover" Interest: Linda Kash played Rene. She was a veteran of Second City and brought a lot more comedic timing to the role than the script probably deserved.
- The Villains: Jamie Bartlett played Mr. Thompson. He was a legitimate South African actor who actually made the threat feel somewhat real, which created a weird tonal shift when Ernest started doing goofy faces.
The film actually had a slightly higher production value than the subsequent Ernest in the Army, largely because they were able to utilize the South African film infrastructure which was booming at the time.
The Legacy of Jim Varney’s Final Years
Shortly after these films, Varney was diagnosed with lung cancer. He died in February 2000 at the age of 50. It’s heartbreaking to watch Ernest Goes to Africa and realize he only had a few years left. You can see the weariness in his eyes if you look closely enough.
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But he never phoned it in. That’s the thing about Varney. Whether he was playing a high-brow character in a theater or a janitor in Africa, he gave it 100%. He committed to the bit. He knew people relied on him for a laugh, and he took that responsibility seriously.
How to Watch It Today
If you're looking to revisit this piece of 90s history, you won't find it in 4K. It’s usually tucked away on streaming services like Tubi or available in those "10-Movie Comedy Sets" you find at big-box retailers.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're a fan of the franchise, here is how you should approach this movie:
- Adjust Your Expectations: Do not expect the budget of Ernest Goes to Jail. This is a scrappy, independent production.
- Watch the Backgrounds: The South African landscapes are actually quite beautiful and provide a nice change of pace from the usual Nashville/Florida locations.
- Appreciate the Physicality: Take a moment to watch Varney's movements. Even at this stage, his control over his body and facial muscles was top-tier.
- Look for the Cameos: See if you can spot recurring actors from the "Ernest" universe. Many of the crew members played multiple roles across the series.
Ultimately, Ernest Goes to Africa isn't the best movie in the series. Not even close. But it's a vital part of the Jim Varney story. It shows a performer at a crossroads, working hard to keep a beloved character alive while the industry moved in a different direction. It’s a bit messy, a bit dated, and a lot of silly. And honestly, that’s exactly what Ernest was always supposed to be.
If you want to understand the full arc of the character, you can't skip this one. It’s the bridge between the glory days of the silver screen and the final, quiet end of an era in comedy.
Check your local library or digital retailers for the Mill Creek Entertainment collections. They often bundle this film with other late-era Ernest titles, making it an easy weekend marathon for those who miss the man in the khaki hat.