Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
Product Description
Classic television drama set in colonial East Africa around the beginning of WWI. Eleven-year-old Elspeth Grant (Holly Aird) arrives in Africa with her parents Tilly (Hayley Mills) and Robin (David Robb), who are planning to build a coffee plantation, and is enthralled by the beauty of its landscape. With her parents busy at work, Elspeth finds plenty of time to explore and soon makes a number of friends amongst the Africans and the British settlers, bearing witness to both the natives' ancient tribal traditions and the scandalous intrigues of the colonials.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
52 of 54 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape|Amazon Verified Purchase
What a joy it was to find this still available. I first read the book in the 70s, after finding it in Nairobi on my first visit. On hearing in the 80s that a TV adaptation was coming up I was wary, but it was beautifully done. It would be very easy for a film like this, seen through a child's eyes, to descend into gooey sentimentality, but it never does. The story is based on Elspeth Huxley's memoirs of her childhood in Kenya shortly before WW1, when her parents, with little money and a lot more hope than experience, set out to start a coffee farm. Every character, whether African or European, is perfectly cast. The scenery is beautiful, the storylines have everything from drama to pathos to humour (just check out poor Mrs Nimmo at her New Year's Eve party) and the music is hauntingly beautiful. Add to all that a most poignant love affair - what more can you ask? I envy anyone who's never seen this - you have such a treat in store.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5.0 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
76 of 78 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gentle On My Mind.....
3 Jan 2000
By jazz4diane@hotmail.com
- Published on Amazon.com
When this mini-series aired on Masterpiece Theatre back in 1983, it captured my interest from the very start. As a single parent, I could barely wait for Sunday evenings to roll around for the next episode, not just to relax, but revel in the beauty of this story. The candor with which the historical events (both positive and negative) surrounding Elspeth Huxley's early life in Africa is displayed is both refreshing and heartwarming. I wish every child could experience growing up in a world such as little Elspeth did. As a previous reviewer remarked, this story was indelibly inscribed upon my mind and heart---I have never forgotten it throughout the years, although I strain to remember other stories and movies I have seen. Even the haunting movie score comes to mind more often than not. Since that first viewing, I have borrowed it from my local public library and I now plan to purchase the set for my personal video library. I highly recommend this movie--it is one you'll not soon forget!
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mini-Series that you can't stop watching.
1 Oct 2001
By M
- Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a fine piece of work with Hayley Mills in the starring role.The story is seen through the eyes of the child in the film. Set in Africa, before it was settled by the English in the pre 1914 era, this is a fascinating story. I will confess I did get a little bored during the first episode.It didn't take long before I was so hooked on it, I couldn't stop watching the 4 tape set. This is the type of film that remains with you long after you have finished watching it.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brings back childhood dreams of Afica
9 Oct 1999
By Elizabeth Nichols (liznichols@hotmail.com)
- Published on Amazon.com
I love this series, mainly for the memories it brings back. About 15 years ago, when I was around 10, our family would go to my grandmother's on Sunday evening, gathering around the TV to watch Masterpiece Theater at 8pm. This was the only series that we watched regurlarly until it was over. It imprinted itself on my mind, and sent it soaring. I enjoy it now because of this. I don't know that I would recommend it 100% to an adult - there are a few weaknesses. But I would reccomend it for children. The story is uplifting, adventurous, moral, exotic, everything that sends a child's mind into its own fantastic dreamland.
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 9 reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Film & TV > Television > Drama
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
