Something of Value (1957)

Although Peter and Kimani grew up together, Kimani soon finds that different races are treated differently. After Kimani's father is jailed for following tribal customs, Kimani joins a band... See full summary »

Director:

Richard Brooks

Writers:

Richard Brooks (screen play), Robert C. Ruark (book)

Stars:

Rock Hudson, Dana Wynter, Wendy Hiller

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

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

Storyline

Although Peter and Kimani grew up together, Kimani soon finds that different races are treated differently. After Kimani's father is jailed for following tribal customs, Kimani joins a band of rebels that wants all non-Kenyans out of their country. While Kimani believes in the cause, he does not agree with the indiscriminate killing of women, children, and those who will not join or agree with them. Even after the Mau Mau murder his little sister and brother, Peter still believes that there is a chance for peaceful co-existence and that he can stop most of the killing if he can reason with Kimani.

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Plot Keywords:

tribal customs | rebellion | justice | colonialism | racism | 

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Taglines:

Love in an Inferno

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Although shooting animals and getting out of the vehicle were forbidden in the Nairobi National Park, Rock Hudson was allowed out of the Land Rover to aim his gun at a zebra. The actual shooting of a zebra was filmed by the second unit in the Nanyuki area about one hundred miles away.

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Quotes

Leader - Intellectual in Suit: We are beggars and slaves in our own land. The British allow us in their homes and hotels, yes. But how? As servants! We are millions, they are a handful. We are strong, they are weak. How then are they the masters and we the slaves? Is it white magic? Is it God's will? No. They have the guns. We too shall have guns. Are we ready for this? The whole colored world burns with the fever of revolt... with the fire for freedom. Do any of you have any questions? Is there a doubt in your hearts? What ...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

The starting credits start with the words: "When we take away from a man his traditional way of life, his customs, his religion, we had better make certain to replace them with Something of Value!"

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Connections

Featured in Rock Hudson's Home Movies (1992)

User Reviews

Racial tensions in East Africa provide for topical war story with odd casting...

Rock Hudson stars as the son of a white farmer living in East Africa near Nairobi circa 1950; he's as close as a brother to Sidney Poitier--portraying sort of a slave-cum-porter--until the laws of the domineering British interfere with the black people's superstition-laden ways of living. Poitier becomes part of a bloodthirsty revolt against the oppression of his people, eventually pitting him one-on-one against his friend. Robert C. Ruark's book of racial upheavals and issues (loyalties, betrayals, and injustices) has been adapted well for the screen by writer-director Richard Brooks, although Hudson's character doesn't have many dimensions (and he looks too old to be boyhood pals with Poitier, anyway). The scenes of violence are hard-hitting, yet Brooks' lumpy way of laying out this complicated story occasionally turns the proceedings into high-pitched melodrama. A romance sub-plot between Hudson and pretty-but-piqued Dana Wynter doesn't provide enough substantial release from the horror and strife surrounding them, and Poitier's final scenes are geared towards narrative action and not character motivation. A mixed-bag, but certainly not uninteresting. **1/2 from ****

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sangre sobre la tierra

Filming Locations:

Africa

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Perspecta Sound) (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1