Rhodes of Africa (1936)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Berthold Viertel

Writers:

Leslie Arliss (writer)
Michael Barringer (writer)

Release Date:

20 February 1936 (USA)

Genre:

Biography

Tagline:

Diamond Master - Empire Builder - Jungle Conqueror

Cast

Walter Huston	...	Cecil John Rhodes
Oskar Homolka	...	Ohm Paul Kruger
Basil Sydney	...	Dr. Jim Jameson
Frank Cellier	...	Barney Barnato
Peggy Ashcroft	...	Anna Carpenter
Renee De Vaux	...	Mrs. Paul Kruger
Percy Parsons	...	Hendricks
Bernard Lee	...	Cartwright
Lewis Casson	...	Rev. Charles Helm
Ndaniso Kumala	...	King Lobengula

Also Known As:

Rhodes (USA)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved

Filming Locations:

Shepherd's Bush, London, England, UK

Company:

Gaumont British Picture Corporation

somber "documentary" Rhodes goes to Africa

From Gaumont Pictures,UK, Rhodes of Africa stars Walter Huston, Oskar Homolka, and a whole lot of British actors that Americans probably don't know. Huston had won his Oscar for "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" with Bogart. Homolka had worked in England and Hollywood on some biggies, like "Sabotage", "Seven Year Itch", and "War and Peace". Right from the beginning, we know the film is about the life of Cecil Rhodes, who explored and conquered South Africa. It opens with (uncredited) narrator describing what south Africa was like, prior to and during Rhodes actions, and the discovery of diamonds there. It runs like a documentary, but as others have noted, probably much white-washed from what actually occurred. Very serious mood at all times, they highlight the obstacles faced by Rhodes and his plans.

A card at the opening acknowledges the cooperation of the people of Rhodesia "for making possible the realisation of the African scenes", but it is not made clear what exactly that cooperation entailed... Directed by Berthold Viertel in 1936, this was the last film he made, although he lived almost another twenty years. IMDb shows he only directed 15 films.