In researching this film, I discovered that the Bermudan actor passed away in early July of 2020 at the age of 102. In my review, I had planned to single him out for his sensitive portrayal of the Kenyan doctor accused of betraying his people who went to work with the British doctors so he could continue to help his people even through the Mau Mau rebellion. His character was disowned by his own father, and the curse of Simba placed on him, indicating that his soul would inhabit a lion if he were to be killed, ensuring that no lion would end up being slaughtered. That's a minor plot point but very telling in this troubling drama that in spite of its faults is an interesting look back at a subject many people are unfamiliar with.
The film stars Dirk Bogarde as a British man who comes to Africa to visit his brother and discovers that he has just been brutally murdered by the Mau Mau, a tribe of rebels out to get rid of the white men in Kenya. His sister-in-law, Virginia MacKenna, works with Cameron and speaks highly of him, but for some reason, Bogarde is untrusting, finding it hard to believe that a black Kenyan would work peacefully with the white man no matter his oath in regards to his profession. The slaughters are pretty brutal with the victims apparently hacked to death, although one female character is lucky enough to be spared that and is simply shot.
Watching this during trying times around the world in regards to race relations, it is best to view this from a historical standpoint to see the point of view from both sides. The photography is beautiful and the acting is excellent, and the pacing quick. Still, it feels like parts of the truth have been edited out for whatever reason so it is an impossible film to love. Considering other films I've seen on corruption and racial difficulties in Africa (mostly dealing with apartheid), this is an important film to at least give the viewer the opportunity to learn about this historical rebellion even if it skirts the truth a bit. It is a tribute to Cameron that his performance will be the one remembered even if the British stars are more well known.
The film stars Dirk Bogarde as a British man who comes to Africa to visit his brother and discovers that he has just been brutally murdered by the Mau Mau, a tribe of rebels out to get rid of the white men in Kenya. His sister-in-law, Virginia MacKenna, works with Cameron and speaks highly of him, but for some reason, Bogarde is untrusting, finding it hard to believe that a black Kenyan would work peacefully with the white man no matter his oath in regards to his profession. The slaughters are pretty brutal with the victims apparently hacked to death, although one female character is lucky enough to be spared that and is simply shot.
Watching this during trying times around the world in regards to race relations, it is best to view this from a historical standpoint to see the point of view from both sides. The photography is beautiful and the acting is excellent, and the pacing quick. Still, it feels like parts of the truth have been edited out for whatever reason so it is an impossible film to love. Considering other films I've seen on corruption and racial difficulties in Africa (mostly dealing with apartheid), this is an important film to at least give the viewer the opportunity to learn about this historical rebellion even if it skirts the truth a bit. It is a tribute to Cameron that his performance will be the one remembered even if the British stars are more well known.