The Flame Trees of Thika

Product 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.

System Requirements:

Running Time 350 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

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

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful glimpse into Kenya's history.......2007-08-12

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.......2007-07-04

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.

The British Empire Revisited: Romance and Reality in Africa .......2007-06-27

"The Flame Trees of Thika" is a masterpiece of on location dramatization of Elspeth Huxley's childhood memories and also functions as a history lesson for contemporary students of empire and its outcomes. This miniseries satisfies on all counts: it is supported by the genius of John Hawkesworth, the company of great British character actors, and attention to authenticity with respect to the gifts and beauty of Africa in the clash of cultures that continues to this day. I have purchased this dvd set for my own collection and for gifts.

British Couple in Africa in 1913........2007-04-22

A British couple with daughter, start a coffee farm in Kenya Africa in 1913.

Haley Mills and family are pleasant. However, the pleasant is undone, by adultery and deaths (not Haley Mills), and the little girl is the only English-speaking child in a 100 miles.

A pretty scene of gazelles, is undone by a gazelle being shot. A terrific song duet at the piano, is undone by the singers being adulterers, singing for the deceived spouse, in the spouse's home. Schizophrenic producer.

One tragedy within 2 hours, is enough for me, rather than ten. Different from TV, holds your attention, is ok, some scenes of interest. I will not keep it to watch again. However, if price is not a thought, then it is of some interest. We never see the flame trees grown, only saplings. We never see the sprouts of charm blossom.

Good cast and location. Only, the idea of a British child on a farm in Africa, is worth keeping. Add some other children. The end of the leopard episode is good, but not the beginning. Re-write the rest. A missed opportunity for a good film. Show the workings of the coffee farm, from seedlings to harvest. British farm life in Africa, without the game hunting, and a happier script would be better. I recommend Johnny Weissmuller's good "Tarzan" series.

A Short Review.......2007-04-14

Other reviewers cover most of the bases. I would just remind you of the stout Europeans who sought their fortunes and endured the hardships after the Boer War and before World War I. Much like the 49'ers of Gold Rush days, it's the sort of pioneer spirit no longer seen today. Many stories have been written of men in that era but few have been told from the view of the Women and Children. I should think a good companion film would be Out Of Africa w/ Meryl Streep, R. Redford. A good companion book might be West into the Night by Beryl Markhum. (spelling from memory) Hayley is lovely in this role and I can say with all honesty, this series is worth the time you will spend watching it. I see fears of unsuitability for children in some of the posts but personally think there's nothing worse than what we saw in the old Tarzan movies.

A&E Literary Classics - The Romance Collection 2 Megaset (Horatio Hornblower / Nicholas Nickleby / Vanity Fair / The Flame Trees of Thika / The Mayor of Casterbridge / Tess of the D'Urbervilles / The Great Gatsby)

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A&E Literary Classics - The Romance Collection 2 Megaset (Horatio Hornblower / Nicholas Nickleby / Vanity Fair / The Flame Trees of Thika / The Mayor of Casterbridge / Tess of the D'Urbervilles / The Great Gatsby)
Starring: Romance Collection 2
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000AYEIWM
Release Date: 2005-10-25

Description

A&E LITERARY CLASSICS: The Romance Collection Volume 2 Heart-stopping romance amidst the Napoleonic Wars, the delightful pursuit of love and fortune among the British upper crust, greed and longing during the Jazz Age--just some of the great narratives evocatively brought to screen in this magnificent library of A&E LITERARY CLASSICS. From the 19th century to the Roaring Twenties and Colonial Africa to Tsarist Russia, A&E presents eight original productions that are sure to enthrall any sophisticated romantic. Featuring topnotch production values and powerful performances by today's brightest stars, coupled with stunning cinematography and masterful screenplays adapted from the world's greatest novels, A&E LITERARY CLASSICS: The Romance Collection Volume 2 is the essential 14-disc DVD collection. This Megaset contains: HORATIO HORNBLOWER: There's always time for a dalliance or two in C.S. Forester's thrilling high seas adventures. NICHOLAS NICKLEBY: Love and compassion blossom amidst hard times in Charles Dickens' great tale. VANITY FAIR: A study in contrasts, Becky and Amelia pursue love and fortune in Thackery's trenchant satire. THE FLAME TREES OF THIKA: An unforgettable true account of a young girl's coming-of-age in turn-of-the-century Africa. THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE: From cruelty to redemption, a heartrending masterpiece by Thomas Hardy. CATHERINE THE GREAT: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Omar Sharif and Jeanne Moreau star in this world-class epic. TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES: Abandoned hearts and lost virtues seek redemption in another immortal classic by Thomas Hardy. THE GREAT GATSBY: Academy Award®-winner Mira Sorvino stars in F. Scott Fitzgerald's great American classic. DVD Features: Horatio Hornblower: About C.S. Forester; Nautical Terms and Definitions; Nicholas Nickleby: Charles Dickens episode of BIOGRAPHY; The Flame Trees of Thika: Elspeth Huxley Biography and Bibliography; Cast Biographies; The Mayor of Casterbridge: Thomas Hardy Biography and Bibliography; Catherine The Great: Cast Filmographies; The Great Gatsby: F. Scott Fitzgerald episode of A&E's BIOGRAPHY; Cast Filmographies

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The Flame Trees of Thika [Region 2]
Starring: Hayley Mills , David Robb , Nicholas Jones , Sharon Maughan , and Ben Cross
Director: Roy Ward Baker
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000059YUG

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