Beryl Markham: A Shadow on the Sun

This film has a place in my heart, similar to Out of Africa (1985), the success of which led to the greenlighting of the Markham film. Both were filmed when I was living in Karengata, only a thousand feet from the door through which the giraffe appeared. The older version of Markham as a chile was played by one of my students at the Nairobi Academy, whose mother was a fellow teacher there.

Stefanie Powers was a frequent visitor to Kenya, along with her boyfriend William Holden, who passed away in 1981; both of whom being members of the Mount Kenya Safari Club. Shadow on the Sun was her project and she did a good job of it. Frankly, she comes off as being too sweet a person in this role, as Markham was very much a member of the hedonistic crowd of the Happy Valley days. She was bold and not afraid to break the rules, which led to her successes later on.

Unfortunately, this film is only available (for a ridiculous price) as a two-tape video release. A low quality version is availabe on YouTube. It would be nice if it were available on DVD.

In the film, Markham mentioned how much had changed up through the 1950's. It had changed another thirty years until my time and another thirty years again. Satellite view renders the place almost unrecognizable: the open fields of grass and scrub divided by sleepy lanes barely wide enough for two vehicles are a thing of the past. The suburbs have grown far beyond the giraffe sanctuary and the dirt roads where late at night one might encounter a giant anteater wandering by are now paved and filled with houses. Plus things are far too expensive now for ordinary working people to live there.

This is mentioned because of the nostalgic element of the film and because of the statement that once you have fallen in love with Africa, you never get over it. I encourage other viewers to view Out of Africa and Flame Trees, and White Mischief, and all the others, and to read whatever books you can find, but I warn you that if you do, and you fall in love with Africa as I did, it will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Beryl Markham was one of the most interesting women of the early 20th century, and deserves a better memorialisation than she has received so far. This Stephanie Powers mini-series was an effort made in the 1980s which is limited by the poor resolution by today's standards in the YouTube version. It was originally shot on 35 mm film, so should receive an HD transfer if it hasn't had one already somewhere. Ideally, her story would be a great subject for an updated treatment, as she was a remarkable woman - way ahead of her time.

What a pity that the extraordinarily full life and accomplishments of Beryl Markham had to be squeezed into a brief mini-series. Beginning with King Solomon's Mines back in the fifties, I have always enjoyed films set in Africa, especially when they were actually filmed on location.

Beryl Markham had a very adventurous and accomplished life, which the condensation into 3+ hours does not do justice. Unfortunately, she is portrayed more as a party girl, drunk, and unfaithful wife with a lousy choice in men, than for her brilliant accomplishments - racehorse trainer, bush pilot, record setting pilot, and author.

Having said that, for those who enjoyed "The Flame Trees of Thika", "Out of Africa" and "We of the Never Never" this is a very watchable film, and different from the usual fare.