Starring: Hayley Mills, David Robb, Nicholas Jones, Sharon Maughan, Ben Cross Directed By: Roy Ward Baker Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: DVD Format: Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Miniseries, NTSC Label: A&E Home Video Number of Items: 2 Region Code: 1 Release Date: March 29, 2005 Running Time: 350 minutes Theatrical Release Date: January 03, 1982
Description: When a young Edwardian family leaves the shores of England to build a home in the wilderness of East Africa, what they encounter is beyond their imagination, but forever remembered through the eyes of their 11-year-old daughter. Based on the beloved memoir by Elspeth Huxley, The Flame Trees of Thika brings to life the color and adventure of turn-of-the-century Kenya. In 1913, Robin (David Robb) and Tilly Grant (Hayley Mills) arrive in Kenya with the dream of transforming a barren plot of land into a thriving coffee plantation. But torrential rains, relentless insects and murderous animals, as well as relations with natives and other settlers, challenge their ambitions. Will England call them back? Or will the wide-eyed wonder of young Elspeth (Holly Aird) help unlock the mysteries of a foreign land and open the doors into the pleasures and rewards of a new home? From the creator of Upstairs, Downstairs, The Flame Trees of Thika is an enchanting, critically acclaimed mini-series featuring all seven episodes authentically shot on location.
Amazon.com: 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
Great family film If you are a fan of Hayley Mills then you will love this film. It is a great family film/series and is somewhat educational to boot.
Pioneering Africa This has been on my wish list for some time. Hayley Mills, remembered from so many Disney movies, is a full grown adult with a young daughter who is fascinated by the people and experiences of Africa.
The story is simple but touching. The family is conned into a coffee farm in Africa and like an American western, encounters all types of difficulties in getting started. A neighboring family and a dashing white hunter provide a romantic love triangle. There is spectacular scenery and wild animals. Then it all goes wrong thanks to WWI.
Very enjoyable series! Most of the other reviews cover what the story series is about. I will add that the scenery of flora and fauna add so much interest. As a woman, the story through the eyes of the little girl was my favorite of the actors. This series appealed to both men and woman, and children. It was also fun to see Hayley Mills in a 'grown up' role!
A wonderful glimpse into Kenya's history I saw this in VHS format while I was living in Kenya back in 1982. I am going on memory as I write this but I do remember it was awesome. It gives such a wonderful, accurate glimpse into the history of what the early British settlers of Kenya went through. While some people having written poor reviews, unhappy with the 'violent' scenes, it was based on true facts. I don't like seeing animals killed either but it was true to the story as it happened. Of course, the scenery was incredible. It brings back wonderful memories of living in a country where while cruising down the highway through the vast plains it felt like you could stretch out your arm and touch the clouds. I do plan to purchase the movie and look forward to seeing it again and again. If you're unsure about purchasing this movie, it will be worth your while to rent it first!
Pollyanna of the Savanna Hayley Mills looks great wherever she is. Half of the American adolescent/pre-adolescent population fell in love with her years ago when she was Disney's favorite little star. I was one of them, so the pleasure of this marvelous mini-series rests in the joy of seeing Ms Mills again. She is decidedly middle-aged, but she is still a sweet and innocent and charming as ever. The entire production is first-rate: the setting itself is the star, of course, but the musical score, the acting, which includes a sizable native tribe who shares the land with the pre-WWI colonial family trying to make something of the arid property. There are multiple themes at work here: class tensions and rivalries, love affairs, intriguing white-blacks miscues and misunderstandings, along with expected colonialist arrogance and racism. It was a magical time nonetheless, and one shares the young family's hopes and ambitions. They may be carrying the British flag, but they are decent and good and honorable at every turn, so you can't help cheering them on.
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