Rhodes of Africa

It was directed by Berthold Viertel and starred Walter Huston, Oskar Homolka, Basil Sydney, and Bernard Lee.

[1] The movie begins with the captions: "The life of Cecil Rhodes is a drama of the man who set out single-handed to unite a continent.

Perhaps these children of Africa came closest to understanding the heart of this extraordinary man" which explain that there is controversy about Cecil Rhodes: whether he was a hero and an inspirational figure, or ambitious adventurer.

Ten years later, his doctor says that he doesn't believe it, and congratulates Rhodes for managing to purchase all the mines in Kimberly.

As Rhodes enters into the borders of the land of Lobengula, many local people surround him, bringing him to their king.

Rhodes told king Lobengula will not be able to get any rest from all the white people who come to bother him unless he makes a deal with one such person strong enough to protect him.

A few days later, Rhodes arrives to the house of the president of the Boers, informing him that he has managed to obtain the land of Lobengula.

Two doctors who talk about Rhodes' dire health, and say it's a tragedy, an entire country named after him, he just returned from London where they received him as king, and he has heart problems.

Paul Kruger refuses to listen to them, so they decide to take a train south, to Cape Town, to Rhodes.

He collapses, and his doctors bring him to rest, telling people from Transvaal that soon he will be fine and that he can talk to them.

Kruger initially refused, but then Rhodes claims he is no longer Cape Colony's prime minister, or the director of the British South African company – he resigned both jobs.

The movie ends with a scene where they show Rhodes dying, and then his dead body is brought to Rhodesia, and the native tribes gave him their royal salute.

[3] Plans to make the movie were abandoned when General Smuts expressed opposition to the project.

Leslie Banks, Clive Brook, Cedric Hardwicke and Brian Aherne were all discussed for the lead before Walter Huston was cast.

Oskar Homolka won eighth best performance of the year for his portrayal of Paul Kruger in Rhodes.