It's 1945 colonial Kenya. The McKenzies are a successful white farming family with many black workers. Henry McKenzie is the patriarch and Peter (Rock Hudson) is his eldest son. Kimani (Sidney Poitier) is a black servant and Peter's best friend. Henry's method of ruling his black workers is harsh in Peter's eyes. It's a clash of cultures as the years go by. Kimani's father gets thrown in jail and Kimani runs away to join the budding Mau Mau uprising.
The subject matter is daring. It has Poitier facing off opposite Hudson. It does have some overacting and old style over-dramatic action. It's trying but Hollywood hasn't discovered more realistic filmmaking. Nevertheless, the actual rebellion has realistic drama. It is a story of poignant power. This may be before its time. It's definitely challenging its audience.
The subject matter is daring. It has Poitier facing off opposite Hudson. It does have some overacting and old style over-dramatic action. It's trying but Hollywood hasn't discovered more realistic filmmaking. Nevertheless, the actual rebellion has realistic drama. It is a story of poignant power. This may be before its time. It's definitely challenging its audience.