Something of Value

Sidney Poitier tackles colonialism in Africa with his portrayal of a Mau Mau revolutionary.

  • Director

    Richard Brooks

  • With

    Sidney Poitier, Rock Hudson, Dana Wynter

  • USA 1957. 113min

  • 35mm

  • Certificate

    15

  • A BFI National Archive print

In a drama set and shot in Kenya, Poitier plays Kimani, the childhood friend of Peter, the son of British settlers. Political circumstances drive them apart – with Kimani joining the Mau Mau rebellion – which eventually leads to a climactic showdown between the former friends. Poitier delivers a compellingly complex performance, in the first of several films he made in Africa where his character fights for liberation from white-minority rule.

Contains violence.

The screening of Something of Value on Sunday 19 January 12:40 NFT2 will include a pre-recorded intro by researcher and programmer Liz Chege.

Film on Film