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Flame Trees Of Thika - The Complete Series [VHS] [1981]
 
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Flame Trees Of Thika - The Complete Series [VHS] [1981]

VHS ~ Holly Aird
5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)

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Flame Trees Of Thika [DVD]

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DVD ~ Hayley Mills
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Product details

  • Actors: Holly Aird, Mick Chege, Hayley Mills, David Robb, Sharon Maughan
  • Format: Box set, PAL
  • Classification: PG
  • Studio: Digital Entertainment Ltd
  • VHS Release Date: 26 Mar 2001
  • Run Time: 337 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
  • ASIN: B000059YUF
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 11,525 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
Based on the beloved autobiographical novel by Elspeth Huxley, BBC miniseries The Flame Trees of Thika brings an eventful childhood in Eastern Africa to vivid life. In 1913, 11-year-old Elspeth Grant (Holly Aird) traveled with her mother, Tilly (Hayley Mills), from England to Kenya to help build a coffee plantation. (Born in 1907, Huxley was actually six at the time.) Her father, Robin (David Robb), who had preceded them, was waiting to greet his family in the arid town of Thika. Also waiting for them were lions, elephants, giraffes, and countless other creatures (the 18-week production was filmed on location in Kenya).

Directed by Roy Ward Baker (A Night To Remember) and written by John Hawkesworth (Upstairs, Downstairs), The Flame Trees of Thika isn't just about one girl, or one family, adrift in an occasionally hostile foreign land, but also about the dangers of colonialism. The Grants, their neighbors, the Palmers (Nicholas Jones and Sharon Maughan), and most of the other Europeans in Thika feel certain they're bringing culture to the uncivilized, without realizing what they're destroying in the process. Ian Crawford (Ben Cross from Chariots of Fire), is one possible exception to the rule, but he brings another kind of danger in his pursuit of Mrs. Palmer.

Since their actions are seen through the eyes of a child, The Flame Trees of Thika is never preachy, but the meddling of these adults--however well intentioned--in the affairs of the Masai, the Kikuyu, and other locals frequently creates tension. As Tilly notes, "It's like two whole separate circles revolving around each other--their world and ours--and only just touching occasionally." What began as Elspeth's coming-of-age story, becomes one for her parents, as well, in this sensitive and engaging series. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Synopsis
East Africa 1913. A family of British settlers aim to build a fortune by planting coffee in the hills.


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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Flame Trees Of Thika [DVD]
84% buy
Flame Trees Of Thika [DVD] 4.2 out of 5 stars (8)
£7.68
Flame Trees Of Thika - The Complete Series [VHS] [1981]
9% buy the item featured on this page:
Flame Trees Of Thika - The Complete Series [VHS] [1981] 5.0 out of 5 stars (1)
The Far Pavilions [1984] [DVD]
6% buy
The Far Pavilions [1984] [DVD] 4.3 out of 5 stars (7)
£10.98

 

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Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review)
 
 
 
 
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32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars If I had to choose one video to keep..., 14 Mar 2002
By Mrs. E. C. Young "lizyounguk" (London) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
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.
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