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BAFTA nominated drama telling the controversial story of Cecil Rhodes and how he became the wealthiest man in the world and founded the nation Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: 2-DVD Set, Biographies, Filmographies, Interactive Menu, Photo Gallery, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: This series charts the life of Cecil Rhodes who was a British 19th century businessman who became the wealthiest man in the western world and founded the nation of Rhodesia (now renamed Zimbabwe). Rhodes travelled to South Africa as a young man for the benefit of his health. He soon began making a profit from mining the Kimberley diamond mines and formed his own company, De Beers Consolidated Mines in 1888. By 1890 he was Prime Minister of the Cape Colony and later in life founded the revered Rhodes Scholarship which enables foreign nationals to study at Oxford. Season 1 Season 1, Episode 1: All the World's Diamonds Season 1, Episode 2: All the World's Gold Season 1, Episode 3: The Place of the Killing Season 1, Episode 4: The Price of My Blood Season 1, Episode 5: The Chameleon and the Fly Season 1, Episode 6: Land, Gold and Loot Season 1, Episode 7: Upsetting the Apple Cart Season 1, Episode 8: The Reckoning SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, ...Rhodes - Season 1 - 2-DVD Set
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Commercial flop" still worth watching,
By Kiwi (NZ) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Rhodes [2008] [DVD] (DVD)
I am surprised to read that this was a "commercial flop", in view of it's high entertainment value.
Martin Shaw has created a believable Rhodes, in all his racism, sexism and class snobbery; he has also given us some idea of the monster's charisma, drive and vitality. A great performance. I didn't like the structure of flashbacks using the baroness as a focal point. Perhaps it was a desperate measure, as Rhodes himself appeared to have no significant females in his life; no mother, sister, girlfriend, wife, daughter or close female friend...quite a problem for the scriptwriter. Frances Barber did her best, but it might have been better just to accept that this was "boy's own" stuff and not try to bring in a significant female character. Wonderful exteriors, shot in South Africa, and some good acting from the rest of the cast. In spite of the above criticisms, I found it a serious, informative and entertaining watch. I just wish there had been no editing to make the series fit onto two DVDs. A third DVD could also have allowed for some worthwhile extras, such as an interview with the lead actor/writer. Well worth buying, however.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rhodes,
By
This review is from: Rhodes [2008] [DVD] (DVD)
When I was at school in the mid 1950s we were made to feel proud to see so much of the world map coloured red signifying that so many countires were part of the great British Empire which we were also told was a huge civilising influence on backward and savage peoples and that everybody under British rule should be grateful for this fact and the benefits this bestowed on them. Now we know the world became red because of greed and a lust for the mineral wealth and lands belonging to other people which was backed up by military conquest, bloodshed, repression, racism and the widespread abolition of civil rights and that the main people who benefited were the political and social elites of Britain, not the vast majority of the British people and certainly not the peoples of the occupied lands.
"Rhodes" tells in an exciting, colourful epic film how this took place in South Africa where Cecil Rhodes (brilliantly played by Martin Shaw) built his own empire based on diamond mining through limitless ambition, foresight, greed, deception and manipulation and that his power grew in direct proportion to the loss of his early idealism and patriotism. He discards and betrays friends and people who helped him to obtain power and influence and yet he nurses a friend in his last days after he developes blood poisoning after a riding accident. Shaw superbly portrays Rhodes as a complex and ruthless man with many contradictions and personal qualities but ultimately as a self seeking demagogue who will stop at nothing to get his way. The director, David Drury very impressively reconstructs late 19th century South Africa and the photography and music also contribute towards making the film thrilling, gripping and memorable.
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Splendid Martin Shaw!,
By Ammonet (France) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Rhodes [2008] [DVD] (DVD)
Martin Shaw said that he believe this is his best work, and he is perfectly right! English audiences have not been happy with this portrayal of Cecil Rhodes, the founder of Rhodesia, shown as a racist, a tyrant, a homosexual and a delusional crazy man. I'm not sure of the historical accuracy of the series, but as a work of fiction, it's a total success. As for me, I don't think it's necessary for a work of fiction to be accurate!
A very important point is that the series is subtitled. As a hard of hearing person, I do need the subtitles to fully enjoy the story. I owned thie series in video tape, but there was no subtitles and that made it difficult for me to understand. So thank you to the editor for including the subtitles in this DVD release! Nicole, in France
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