White Mischief (1987)

A millionaire past his prime and his young wife arrive in Kenya circa 1940 to find that the other affluent British expatriates are living large as the homefront gears up for war. They are ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Radford

Writers:

James Fox (novel), Michael Radford (screenplay),

Stars:

Greta Scacchi, Charles Dance, Joss Ackland

Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Greta Scacchi	...	Diana Lady Broughton
Charles Dance	...	Josslyn Hay
Joss Ackland	...	'Jock' Delves Broughton
Sarah Miles	...	Alice de Janzé
Geraldine Chaplin	...	Nina Soames
Ray McAnally	...	Morris
Murray Head	...	Lizzie
John Hurt	...	Gilbert Colvile
Trevor Howard	...	Jack Soames
Susan Fleetwood	...	Gladys, Lady Delamer
Catherine Neilson	...	Lady June Carberry
Hugh Grant	...	Hugh
Alan Dobie	...	Harragin
Gregor Fisher	...	McPherson
Jacqueline Pearce	...	Idina

Storyline

A millionaire past his prime and his young wife arrive in Kenya circa 1940 to find that the other affluent British expatriates are living large as the homefront gears up for war. They are busy swapping partners, doing drugs, and attending lavish parties and horse races. She begins a torrid affair with one of the bon vivants, and her husband finds out and confronts them. The husband and wife decide to break up peacefully, but the bon vivant is murdered and all the evidence points to the husband.

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Plot Keywords:

kenya | 1940s | english | murder | shower | 

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Taglines:

In England they were the elite, but bound by rules of society. In Kenya there were no rules, only glamour, decadence . . . and murder.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

May 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Adeus, África

Filming Locations:

Kenya

Box Office

Budget:

$5,300,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$3,107,551 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Goldcrest Films International, Nelson Entertainment, Power Tower Investments

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

The courtroom scenes include counsel shouting "Objection!" and the Judge replying "Sustained" or "Overruled" and occasionally ordering things "stricken from the record". These terms are routine in courts in the United States but are never heard in courts based on English jurisprudence, as was the case in colonial Kenya in 1941.

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Quotes

Josslyn Hay: Earl of Erroll: Do you know what happens to a woman once she loses her looks?
Lady Diana Broughton: No. What?
Josslyn Hay: Earl of Erroll: Nothing.

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Connections

Version of Julian Fellowes Investigates: A Most Mysterious Murder - The Case of the Earl of Erroll (2005)

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Soundtracks

"The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy"
from "The Nutcracker"
Composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Arranged and directed by Eric Banks

User Reviews

The movie version was a good adaptation of the intriguing book by James Fox.

I read the book, WHITE MISCHIEF soon after it was published in the early 90's. When the movie version premiered, I thought the adaptation was fairly good. Both the book and the movie presents a wonderful story of a mystery-murder evolving around a group of pampered haughty individuals among the British elite 'high society' living in colonial Kenya during WWII. The movie version features Sarah Miles, in an incredible performance.

We see this naught group getting into all types of 'mischief' while visiting each others homes, vacationing, and attending exclusive private clubs during the height of elegance in colonial Kenya during the 40's. There is a healthy dose of sex, pride, betrayal, and all manners of decadence amid an environment of wealth and affluence.

The movie and book was highly enjoyable for those who are intrigued with the lifestyle and social posture of the British in places such as Africa and India before these countries achieved independence.

Yet, I'm puzzled why this movie, WHITE MISCHIEF is unavailable in the major rental outlets such as Blockbuster, or Netflix.

M James