Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Stefanie Powers | ... | Beryl Clutterbuck Markham | |
Claire Bloom | ... | Lady Delamere | |
Peter Bowles | ... | Lord Jack Carberry | |
Brian Cox | ... | Jock Purves | |
Niamh Cusack | ... | Clara Clutterbuck | |
Trevor Eve | ... | Denys Finch Hatton | |
Frederic Forrest | ... | Raoul Schumacher | |
James Fox | ... | Mansfield Markham | |
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Rupert Frazer | ... | Duke of Gloucester |
Joseph Mydell | ... | Kibii | |
Sverre Anker Ousdal | ... | Baron Bror Blixen-Finecke | |
Nicola Pagett | ... | Emma Orchardson | |
John Rubinstein | ... | Arthur Kane | |
Jack Thompson | ... | Tom Campbell Black | |
Frederick Treves | ... | Lord Delamere |
The singular life of Beryl Markham - renowned aviatrix, author and adventurer - is depicted. Raised by her father in colonial East Africa, Beryl hunted with the Maasai, bred thoroughbred horses, romanced Denys Finch-Hatton and defied constraining social rules. Based upon her own memoir 'West With the Night'. Written by Dawn M. Barclift
What a pity that the extraordinarily full life and accomplishments of Beryl Markham had to be squeezed into a brief mini-series. Beginning with King Solomon's Mines back in the fifties, I have always enjoyed films set in Africa, especially when they were actually filmed on location.
Beryl Markham had a very adventurous and accomplished life, which the condensation into 3+ hours does not do justice. Unfortunately, she is portrayed more as a party girl, drunk, and unfaithful wife with a lousy choice in men, than for her brilliant accomplishments - racehorse trainer, bush pilot, record setting pilot, and author.
Having said that, for those who enjoyed "The Flame Trees of Thika", "Out of Africa" and "We of the Never Never" this is a very watchable film, and different from the usual fare.