The Flame Trees of Thika (1981– )

Elspeth and her unconventional parents decide to settle down in Kenya and begin a coffee plantation. This is a time of discovery for Elspeth, as she encounters the incredible beauty and ... See full summary »

Stars:

Hayley Mills, David Robb, Holly Aird

3 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Hayley Mills	...	Tilly (7 episodes, 1981)
David Robb	...	Robin (7 episodes, 1981)
Holly Aird	...	Elspeth (7 episodes, 1981)
Mick Chege	...	Njombo (7 episodes, 1981)
Sharon Maughan	...	Lettice (5 episodes, 1981)
John Nettleton	...	Major (5 episodes, 1981)
Steve Mwenesi	...	Sammy (5 episodes, 1981)
Nicholas Jones	...	Hereward (4 episodes, 1981)
Ben Cross	...	Ian (4 episodes, 1981)
Carol MacReady	...	Mrs. Nimmo (4 episodes, 1981)
Mzee Pembe	...	Chief Kupanya (4 episodes, 1981)
William Morgan Sheppard	...	Mr. Roos (3 episodes, 1981)
David Bradley	...	Alec (3 episodes, 1981)
Paul Onsongo	...	Juma (3 episodes, 1981)

Storyline

Elspeth and her unconventional parents decide to settle down in Kenya and begin a coffee plantation. This is a time of discovery for Elspeth, as she encounters the incredible beauty and cruelty of nature, and new friendships with both Africans and British expatriates. A side plot involves the beautiful and bored British Lettice Palmer who enters into an affair with a handsome safari guide. Eventually, however, the excitement of Elspeth's life is disrupted by the onset of WW I, and the changes it brings

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Plot Keywords:

kenya | safari | plantation | coffee plantation | memory | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 January 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Floges stin Afriki

Filming Locations:

Thika, Kenya

Company Credits

Production Co:

Euston Films, Thames Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min 50 min (7 episodes)

Color:

Color

User Reviews

A wondrous mini series

When I saw this back in the eighties, I watched it religiously. It was an interesting story that kept unfolding week after week. This is a story about wanting. The wanting to conquer the African wilderness and make a good life for yourself and your family OR the wanting to break away from a life that seems like a prison cell, so you can love and live free from what's expected from you.

This had a top notch cast featuring Hayley Mills and handsome David Robb as the Grant's, a couple looking to make a life for themselves in the wilds that is Africa. Then you have Nicholas Jones and (Nescafe's UK/Tasters Choice US)Sharon Maughan as the Palmer's, a couple who are trying to make a relationship work by getting away from England and going somewhere new.

The actors are all great in this series, but the ones who make this one work are Ms Maughan, Ben Cross as the suave handsome know-it-all newcomer Ian, and the Grant's cute and inquisitive daugther Elspeth played by Holly Aird. Elspeth sort of ties everything together and makes things happen, sometimes for good and sometimes for bad. The script is well written and at times very exciting.

I guess the real star of the series must be the beautiful scenery. Watch this and you wonder how man can destroy such a wondrous place. If you get the chance, SEE THIS!!