Something of Value (1957): Cast & Plot
Something of Value is a 1957 war drama directed by Richard Brooks, starring Sidney Poitier as Kimani Wa Karanja, Rock Hudson and Ken Renard. It runs 1 hour 53 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 53m (113 min)
- Director
- Richard Brooks
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Something of Value About?
The premise of Something of Value without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Set amid Kenya’s Mau Mau uprising, which tears the country apart, former childhood friends Kimani (Sidney Poitier), a native, and Peter (Rock Hudson), a British colonist, find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict. Each is devoted to his cause yet longs for a moderate, peaceful solution, but their hopes are shattered by growing rage, colonial arrogance and relentless violence on both sides.
Something of Value Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- tribal customs
- rebellion
- colonialism
- racism
- kenya
- based on novel
- murder of a baby
- police officer
- british kenya
- based on historical event
- year 1945
- roll call opening credits
+38 more Show fewer
- putting flowers on a grave
- native tribe
- interracial friendship
- big game hunting
- injustice
- insurgency
- segregation
- chase
- christianity
- internment
- infant
- kikuyu
- newlywed couple
- safari
- tribal life
- mau mau rebellion
- african nationalism
- ceremonial dance
- historical drama
- british colony
- murder of brother in law
- interracial relationships
- holy relic
- jungle adventure
- political drama
- tiger pit
- falling into a punji pit
- orphaned boy
- lightning storm
- british east africa
- bare chested man
- burning someone's tongue
- carried over someone's back
- colony
- foot caught in a trap
- knife held to someone's throat
- prologue
- barefoot man
Something of Value Cast & Characters
Sidney Poitier leads the cast as Kimani Wa Karanja, with Rock Hudson as Peter McKenzie and Ken Renard as Karanja - Father of Kimani. Directed by Richard Brooks; 19 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Richard Brooks
-
Sidney Poitier as Kimani Wa Karanja -
Rock Hudson as Peter McKenzie - Ken Renard as Karanja - Father of Kimani
-
Walter Fitzgerald as A White Settler - Henry McKenzie
Also Starring in Something of Value
· 15 more- Dana Wynter Holly McKenzie
- Robert Beatty Elizabeth's Husband - Jeff Newton
- Juano Hernández Njogu - Oath Giver
- Wendy Hiller Elizabeth
- Michael Pate A Farmer - Joe Matson
- Ivan Dixon Lathela - Loyal Gun-Bearer
- Juanita Moore Tribal Woman
- William Marshall Leader - Intellectual in Suit
- Wilton Graff Capt. Hillary
- Madame Sul-Te-Wan Midwife (Uncredited)
- Paulene Myers Kikuyu Woman
- Barbara Morrison Nurse
- Frederick O'Neal Adam Marenga - Mau-Mau Leader
- Angela Cartwright Caroline
- Samadu Jackson Witch Doctor
Something of Value Plot Summary
What happens in Something of Value from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In British-ruled Kenya in 1945, the Kikuyu people live and work in relative harmony with the white settlers under the watchful, mostly benevolent hand of Henry McKenzie Walter Fitzgerald. They follow their own religious beliefs, which prohibit violence against the settlers, and they strive to keep peace within a rigid colonial framework. Henry’s son Peter Rock Hudson grows up alongside Kimani Sidney Poitier, a Black farm worker who has become almost like a brother after the death of Henry’s wife. When Kimani asks to borrow a rifle to join a lion hunt, Peter’s brother-in-law Jeff Newton Robert Beatty slaps him and reminds him that the gun—and their friendship—are not his to claim.
Full summary
The whole story of Something of Value, scene by scene
Something of Value Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Something of Value.
How Well Do You Know Something of Value?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrayed Peter McKenzie in the film?
Cars in Something of Value
12 cars on screen, including the 1956 Land-Rover 88'' Series I and the 1947 Chevrolet Advance-Design.
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1956 Land-Rover 88'' Series I Main role -
1947 Chevrolet Advance-Design Important role -
1940 Chevrolet Master 85 Important role -
Allis-Chalmers unknown Minor role
Something of Value Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “Flammen über Afrika” and “Sangue Sobre a Terra”.
- Also known as
-
- Flammen über Afrika
- Sangue Sobre a Terra
- Le Carnaval des dieux
- Qualcosa che vale
- Sangre sobre la tierra
- 흑아
- Någonting av värde
Seen Something of Value?
Movies Like Something of Value
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Simba, Dark of the Sun and Everything of Value.
Something of Value FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Something of Value, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Something of Value?
Something of Value runs 1 hour 53 minutes (113 minutes).
When was Something of Value released?
Something of Value was released on May 8, 1957.
Who directed Something of Value?
Something of Value was directed by Richard Brooks.
More films by Richard Brooks Who is in the cast of Something of Value?
Something of Value stars Sidney Poitier as Kimani Wa Karanja, Rock Hudson as Peter McKenzie and Ken Renard as Karanja - Father of Kimani, among 19 credited actors.
Does Something of Value have a post-credit scene?
No. Something of Value has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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