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I have not seen this film since its original release in the United Kingdom. At the time I was on leave from several years of colonial service in British East Africa ( the Kenya of today ). The film made me reflect upon how little the region had altered in eighty years or so.
I do not remember it being racialist or particularly violent. Modern films are far more extreme upon both counts. The films ( and Cornel Wildes ) tragedy was its accuracy and fidelity. That would upset the armchair members of the Academy awaking from their afternoon nap and cause them to pass it over when making awards. This film portrayed all of its participants in a decent and honourable guise. I have yet to see another film about the dark continent with the same integrity.
I would draw to the attention of the gentleman from Virginia a book by John Bierman, 'DARK SAFARI' But I would caution that, unlike the film, it is not for the faint hearted. 'THE WASHING OF THE SPEARS' by Donald R. Morris removes any notion that the film ZULU, despite being excellent entertainment, was an accurate portrayal of events in and around the Cape Colony in 1879.
However I whole heartedly agree it is a mistake to judge indigenous peoples of this region as bestial by simply exemplifying methods of execution. It is the act of execution which is bestial not the method. Thankfully most European countries have now come to this realisation and amended their laws accordingly. The rest of the world, I am confident, will follow when they are ready.
Such a shame this film is not more widely known and consequently viewed.
score /10
keith-hewle 25 February 2003
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0094642/ |
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23-2-2021 18:07:14