Actuakers One of my all time favorites.

PiraBit if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Frances Chung Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Raymond Sierra The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

renafaye77 I liked the actors in this, John Hurt and Trevor Howard are a rich addition to the mix. I found the film fascinating because the "cad", played by Charles Dance, was visually exciting to watch, and moves so gracefully. One of the later scenes in the movie when the two lovers are together in the bedroom is especially memorable because Dance photographs so beautifully. I stayed up late last night just to see this scene in the movie. There's a new cable channel on our provider, and to my great disappointment, they cut this scene to, I presume, eliminate views of Greta Scacci's breasts. So I missed the full frontal view of Charles Dance, but there were still some enjoyable views of a well developed man without all the steroid developed muscles you see in current "thrillers." The movie still retained some beautifully filmed scenes of the ocean, the polo match, and one or two scenes where the rich people do some cross dressing. Charles Dance in a beautiful long dress, wearing ear "bobs" was somewhat alarming, but, even the evil old husband had on a woman's dress and pearls. It's also reminiscent of a time when people smoked cigarettes prodigiously, and, used Western Union to communicate quickly. There's a lot of detail where the native servants show personality and resourcefulness. That component adds depth to the story of life styles of the rich and shameless, which, seems like, is an eternal theme. Wealthy people now just don't dress nearly so beautifully as the characters in this unique movie.

fastfilmhh Based on the book by James Fox (not the handsome English actor of a certain age) this film remains hard to pin down: it's part murder mystery, part sociological study, part history of pre-WW2 East African colonialism, part romance, part dionysian orgy (really), part Evelyn Waugh/Somerset Maughm, part romance, part.... etc. etc. And it's all true.Yes, the actors are more spectacular looking than their real life counterparts (particularly Scacchi, seldom more stunning.) Sarah Miles' strange character wafts through as most memorable of all in a rich ensemble set of louche decadents. (And yet the actress in real life admitted she may not have gotten a handle on the real woman, just an impression. Based upon my reading of Fox's and Trzebinski's books' accounts on the Alice de Janze, I'd have to agree. Nothing like her except the memorable quips and woozy flair.) Plus, most folks who didn't swim through the primo decadence of the 1960's firsthand might be appalled at what passes for entertainment in British colonial East Africa of the 1930'/40s. But what you'll get for your treasure hunt (this is a hard film to find) is the truth of a murder mystery, weird but real characters, a slice of history, all against the gorgeous panoply of Kenya, despite all its troubles one of the most beautiful spots on the entire planet, all shot on location right where the real events unfolded.

moonspinner55 Michael Radford directed and co-wrote this adaptation of James Fox's book taking place in Kenya during World War II. High society Brits evade the swarming Nazis by hiding out in Africa while money-hungry Greta Scacchi gets caught up in heated love-triangle. Languid, slowly-paced British-made drama without enough inner-fire; the handling is awfully sullen, and clichés abound, despite attractive locales and sexy Greta spicing the scenario. Terrific supporting cast includes John Hurt, Hugh Grant, and Geraldine Chaplin, yet they can't do much to infuse the film with life. Radford does pull off an amazing finale however, and his final shot is haunting. ** from ****

domino1003 *****Possible Spoilers*****Interesting film about decadence in Kenya in the 1940's. Diana (Sexy Greta Scacchi)is a new arrival to Kenya, married to Jock(Brilliant Joss Ackland), a much older and wealthy man (Although he is steadily becoming broke due to bad investments). Diana has clearly married Jock for his money and title. Into her life comes Joss (Handsome Charles Dance), who has a title but is practically penniless. He's part of the "Happy Valley" scene, which includes Alice (Sarah Miles), who is into sex and drugs and a bit loopy, Lizzy (Murray "One Night In Bangkok" Head)and Nina (Geraldine Chaplin), among others. Diana becomes involved with Joss, but her husband isn't too pleased with the developments, though later he sings a different tune. Later, Joss ends up dead and Jock is on trial for the murder. Once acquitted, Diana begins to wonder if her husband really killed Joss.I have read the book and wished that some of the aspects had made it to the screen. Sarah Miles steals the film as Alice (Loved "The Alphabet Song!")and Dance and Scacchi heat up the screen. John Hurt does a good job as Gilbert, even though he says very little in the film. Keep your eye out for a young Hugh Grant in the beginning of the film.