Something of Value (1957)

Director:

Richard Brooks

Writers:

Robert C. Ruark (novel)
Richard Brooks (writer)

Release Date:

June 1957 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot:

Even though Peter and Kimani grow up together, Kimani soon finds that different races are treated differently...

Plot Keywords:

Tribal Customs | Custom | Death | Rebel | Children

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Rock Hudson	...	Peter
Dana Wynter	...	Holly
Sidney Poitier	...	Kimani Wa Karanja
Wendy Hiller	...	Elizabeth McKenzie Newton
Juano Hernandez	...	Njogu, Oath Giver
William Marshall	...	Leader, Intellectual in Suit
Robert Beatty	...	Jeff Newton
Walter Fitzgerald	...	Henry McKenzie
Michael Pate	...	Joe Matson, Vengeful White Settler
Ivan Dixon	...	Lathela, Loyal Gun-Bearer
Ken Renard	...	Karanja, Father of Kimani
Samadu Jackson	...	Witch Doctor
Frederick O'Neal	...	Adam Marenga, Mau-Mau Leader

Also Known As:

Africa Ablaze (USA) (reissue title)

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Perspecta Sound encoding) (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Africa

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Rock Hudson himself drove the film crew round the Nairobi National Park, with the stand-in for his co-star next to him. The crew and game warden were in the back of the semi-open Land Rover. Although all the animals in the park were wild they were used to vehicles. Many shots of various animals were taken, including baboons. For the latter Hudson threw peanuts onto the front of the vehicle. One half-grown male, seeing the actual source of this food, jumped through the half-door onto Hudson's lap, stole some extra peanuts and even snatched a lipstick from the hand of the stand-in. Hudson grabbed the baboon by the scruff of the neck, calmly took back the lipstick and threw the animal out.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004) (TV)

For me, this was a nostalgic journey.

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.