Something of Value

Trailer—Something of Value

It's 1945 colonial Kenya. The McKenzies are a successful white farming family with many black workers. Henry McKenzie is the patriarch and Peter (Rock Hudson) is his eldest son. Kimani (Sidney Poitier) is a black servant and Peter's best friend. Henry's method of ruling his black workers is harsh in Peter's eyes. It's a clash of cultures as the years go by. Kimani's father gets thrown in jail and Kimani runs away to join the budding Mau Mau uprising. The subject matter is daring. It has Poitier facing off opposite Hudson. It does have some overacting and old style over-dramatic action. It's trying but Hollywood hasn't discovered more realistic filmmaking. Nevertheless, the actual rebellion has realistic drama. It is a story of poignant power. This may be before its time. It's definitely challenging its audience.

This movie is really something of value.Rock HUdson's character says "we steal their earth and their religion,we 've got to give them something of value instead".Actually,Richard Brookes applied to Africa what he 'd done two years back with "the last hunt" where the white men killed the buffalos and starved the Indians.They even despised their belief by killing even the White animal. Preceded by "Simba" an English movie starring Dirk Bogarde the screenplay of which shows a lot of similarities with "something of value' Brooks 's work seems nevertheless superior ,because it has very strong scenes:Poitier,smashing the mirror with disgust after the killing,the informer killed on the barbed wire by the other prisoners;the old man ,afraid of thunder.This last scene may seem naive ,nay insulting for the natives ,but it was fifty years ago.People who criticize the movie should think about it:in 1957,it was a courageous movie,as "the last hunt" was.

I read Robert Ruark's book twice, Once before I went to Kenya in 1968 and once after my return. I had never seen the movie until recently. While in Africa, I was told by the Black Kenyans and the British Kenyans that the story was exaggerated, but this often happens to keep the interest alive. Having visited there, I thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and remembering many places where I had been and the animals running across the plains with Mount Kenya in the background. It was a treat to see young Rock Hudson, beautiful Dana Wynter and the talents of Sidney Poitier and Wendy Hiller. The action and the supporting actors are fine and I think I will watch it again before I return the tape to the video store.

Sidney Poitier is excellent in this study of Kenya's fight for independence and backlash against their former oppressors. William Marshall, Michael Pate and Wendy Hiller are superb in poignant supporting performances. But, Rock Hudson is terribly miscast, and his character too good, even beyond sainthood. And the focus on his character ultimately throws the movie off-balance. Still worth watching though, but it's a bit of a shame since the elements of greatness are all here, but the result is thought-provoking but unsatisfying. 7/10.