Simba (1955) ( Simba - Mark of Mau Mau! )

Simba (1955) (DVD) (*)

~~$27.99~~ $21.97

Original Title: Simba - Mark of Mau Mau!
Screened, competed or awarded at:
BAFTA Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Mono )

Product Origin/Format:
United Kingdom ( PAL/Region 2 )

Running Time:
95 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 1955 and produced in:
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Directed By:
Brian Desmond Hurst

Written By:
Anthony Perry
John Baines

Actors:
Dirk Bogarde ..... Alan Howard
Virginia McKenna ..... Mary Crawford
Basil Sydney ..... Mr. Crawford
Marie Ney ..... Mrs. Crawford
Joseph Tomelty ..... Dr. Hughes
Earl Cameron ..... Karanja
Orlando Martins ..... Headman
Huntley Campbell ..... Joshua
John Chandos ..... Settler at Meeting
Slim Harris ..... Chege
Errol John ..... African Inspector
Ben Johnson ..... Kimani
Glyn Lawson ..... Mundati
Harry Quashie ..... Thakla
Desmond Roberts ..... Col. Bridgeman
Willy Sholanke ..... Witch Doctor
Donald Sinden ..... Inspector Drummond
Frank Singuineau ..... Waweru

Synopsis:

Alan Howard arrives in Kenya to work on a ranch owned by his brother, and is met at the airport by an old friend, Mary Crawford. He finds his brother has been murdered by the Mau Mau, a native organization determined to drive out the whites. Howard decides to stay, influenced by his love for Mary as well as other considerations. She refuses to believe that all the natives are bad, while Crawford is suspicious of all, especially Dr. Karanja, for whom Mary once worked as a nurse. Crawford suspects he is Simba, leader of the local Mau Mau. When Mary's parents are slain by the sect, Dr. Karanja reveals to the police that he believes Simba to be his own father. Crawford is marked for death, with his farm deserted, the telephone wires cut, and his car burned. Mary and Dr. Karanja show up, with Karanja attempting to talk the attackers out of their deeds until his father forces them on. Crawford kills Simba, and the attackers fatally wound Karanja before the police close in.

The recent Mau Mau uprising in Kenya served as story material for the 1955 British film Simba. White farmer Dirk Bogarde and his neighbors are targeted for extermination by the zealously nationalistic Mau Maus. Native doctor Joseph Tomelty, whose brother had earlier been killed under questionable circumstances, endeavors to help the whites escape the hordes, only to discover that his own father is the local leader of the insurrectionists. Given the cruelties of colonial rule in Africa, it is hard for any film to make the Mau Mau total villains, despite their own well-documented brutal treatment of their enemies. Simba downplays side-taking and ideology, choosing instead to concentrate on the adventure and suspense elements.

This product was added to our catalog on Sunday 08 May, 2011.