Rhodes (1996– )

This 8-part drama series tells the story of Cecil Rhodes, the British 19th-century businessman who became the wealthiest man in the Western world and founded the nation Rhodesia (now ... See full summary »

Stars:

Martin Shaw, Frances Barber, Neil Pearson

1 nomination.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Martin Shaw	...	Cecil John Rhodes (8 episodes, 1996)
Frances Barber	...	Princess Catherine Radziwill (8 episodes, 1996)
Neil Pearson	...	Dr. Leander Starr Jameson (7 episodes, 1996)
Philip Godawa	...	John X. Merriman (6 episodes, 1996)
Frantz Dobrowsky	...	Alfred Beit (6 episodes, 1996)
David Butler	...	Charles Rudd (5 episodes, 1996)
Ken Stott	...	Barney Barnato (5 episodes, 1996)
Washington Xisolo	...	Lobengula (5 episodes, 1996)
Gresby Nash	...	Harry Currey (4 episodes, 1996)
Ramalao Makhene	...	Babayane (4 episodes, 1996)
Ken Gampu	...	Mshete (4 episodes, 1996)
Ian Roberts	...	Johann Colenbrander (4 episodes, 1996)
Paul Slabolepszy	...	Frederick Selous (4 episodes, 1996)
Gavin Hood	...	Frank Johnson (4 episodes, 1996)
Alex Ferns	...	John Grimmer (4 episodes, 1996)
John Carson	...	Sir Hercules Robinson (3 episodes, 1996)
Sean Taylor	...	Frank Thompson (3 episodes, 1996)
Ron Smerczak	...	Edward Maund (3 episodes, 1996)
Oliver Cotton	...	Joseph Chamberlain (3 episodes, 1996)
Carel Trichardt	...	Paul Kruger (3 episodes, 1996)
Guy de Lancey	...	Dr. Rutherfoord Harris (3 episodes, 1996)
Danny Keogh	...	Frank Dawson (3 episodes, 1996)
Nicky Rebello	...	Solly Joel (2 episodes, 1996)
Richard Huw	...	Rochfort Maguire (2 episodes, 1996)
Timothy Walker	...	The Reverend C.D. Helm (2 episodes, 1996)
Jeremy Crutchley	...	Philip 'Flippy' Jourdan (2 episodes, 1996)
Vusi Kunene	...	Umgandana (2 episodes, 1996)
Anthony 'Bam Bam' Thomas	...	Henry La Bouchere (2 episodes, 1996)
Sam Williams	...	Lotshe (2 episodes, 1996)
Mawongo Tyawa	...	Somabhulana (2 episodes, 1996)
Paul Eilers	...	Dr. Hans Sauer (2 episodes, 1996)
Moshoeshoe Chabeli	...	Makwekwe (2 episodes, 1996)
Gideon Emery	...	Alan Wilson (2 episodes, 1996)

Storyline

This 8-part drama series tells the story of Cecil Rhodes, the British 19th-century businessman who became the wealthiest man in the Western world and founded the nation Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). The series tells of how he arrived in South Africa as a teenager, how he made his fortune in gold and diamond mining, and how he led the colonization of large areas of Africa.

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Plot Keywords:

tv mini series | homosexual

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

PBS [us]

Country:

UK USA Canada South Africa

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 January 1998 (USA)

Filming Locations:

South Africa

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

In The Tradition of Great Epics

'Rhodes' takes its place alongside 'The Last Place on Earth' and 'The Jewel in the Crown' as one of the very best British-made series sagas. It has everything: masterful performances (it's Martin Shaw's show, of course, but everyone shines), a sweeping, informative and intelligent script, a magnificent score - reminiscent of John Barry, superb locations, and a whale of a story, a true story.

The character of Cecil Rhodes is thoroughly and fulfillingly fleshed out. He is scarcely admirable, but he commands our attention for sheer audaciousness and dramatic power. The exploitation and double-crossing of the native peoples is portrayed with accuracy and grim detail, with many parallels to the American West. Rhodes was an opportunist and an empire builder in the extreme, who stopped at nothing to achieve his goals. As an epic character study, this drama really delivers as only the Brits can.

Finally, a common complaint: no DVD version exists as if yet. If more viewers discovered this series, it would quickly be known as a classic.