Out of Africa | 1985, Robert Redford’s personal script for the Academy Award-winning film

Robert Redford’s own production script for Out of Africa, inscribed on the cover and title page “For Robert Redford”. Personally gifted by Redford in Kenya during filming. Rare.

An original production script used by Robert Redford for Out of Africa (Universal Pictures, 1985), the celebrated adaptation of Isak Dinesen’s memoir that won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director (Sydney Pollack) and Best Screenplay (Kurt Luedtke). The script carries a studio label typed “OUT OF AFRICA”, with Redford’s name written in ink.

The script is accompanied by a signed letter of provenance from Kirsten Shepherd, whose grandparents ran a Thomas Barnardo’s Children’s Home on the Langata Road between Nairobi and Karen, close to the film’s shooting location. During production, Redford visited the home and became friendly with the family. Before leaving Kenya, he returned with this script, giving it to Mrs Shepherd’s grandmother as a memento of his visit.

Bound in studio production wrappers with metal fasteners, showing light wear consistent with age and use, but very well preserved overall. A remarkable artefact of modern cinema, directly connected to Redford’s role in one of Hollywood’s most enduring literary adaptations.

Redford died in September 2025, aged 89. His portrayal of Denys Finch Hatton in Out of Africa remains one of his defining performances, and this script, used by him during production stands as a rare and tangible connection to the great man (this book dealers favourite actor!)

Provenance:
Accompanied by a signed letter dated 29 March 2025 from Kirsten Shepherd, reading in part:

“With regards the Out of Africa Script, it has been in my possession for about 20 years but was originally given to my Grandmother by Mr Redford.
My Grandparents lived in Kenya, where they ran a Thomas Barnardo’s Children’s Home… My understanding is that Mr Redford made an impromptu visit to the home so as to make a donation and from there, he and my Grandparents became friendly.
Before he left Kenya my Granny wished him well and expressed her disappointment at not being able to see his film… He dropped back the following day with his script and gave it to her as the next best thing.
She passed it onto me when she later moved house… I should be very pleased if it could now make its way to someone else who might enjoy it.”

A unique survival from the making of Out of Africa, and the only known personal script belonging to Robert Redford from the film.