Rhodes [DVD] [2008]

When I was at school in the mid 1950s we were made to feel proud to see so much of the world map coloured red signifying that so many countires were part of the great British Empire which we were also told was a huge civilising influence on backward and savage peoples and that everybody under British rule should be grateful for this fact and the benefits this bestowed on them. Now we know the world became red because of greed and a lust for the mineral wealth and lands belonging to other people which was backed up by military conquest, bloodshed, repression, racism and the widespread abolition of civil rights and that the main people who benefited were the political and social elites of Britain, not the vast majority of the British people and certainly not the peoples of the occupied lands."Rhodes" tells in an exciting, colourful epic film how this took place in South Africa where Cecil Rhodes (brilliantly played by Martin Shaw) built his own empire based on diamond mining through limitless ambition, foresight, greed, deception and manipulation and that his power grew in direct proportion to the loss of his early idealism and patriotism. He discards and betrays friends and people who helped him to obtain power and influence and yet he nurses a friend in his last days after he developes blood poisoning after a riding accident. Shaw superbly portrays Rhodes as a complex and ruthless man with many contradictions and personal qualities but ultimately as a self seeking demagogue who will stop at nothing to get his way. The director, David Drury very impressively reconstructs late 19th century South Africa and the photography and music also contribute towards making the film thrilling, gripping and memorable.

This seems to be a balanced portrait of one of the most enigmatic figures in British history. Rhodes was both a megolomaniac and a visionary, a kind of Nietszchean Ubermensch who believed that the ends justified the means. He made treaties with the indigenous peoples to mine for diamonds & gold, then used some flimsy pretext to take over the land. He treated the locals in a patronising way, thinking of them as child-like, incapable of running their own affairs. However, he was enlightened when compared to the Boers, whose treatment of the Africans led to apartheid in the late 1940s. His achievements were amazing. He was a millionaire in his late 20s, and had an entire country named after him, an honour given to no-one else in history.Martin Shaw gives a superb portrayal of this mercurial man, his volcanic rages, his mysogyny, his extreme emotional outpourings. The supporting cast is excellent and production values very high. The epic sweep of the photography turns it into a kind of Western at times. Alan Parker's music suggests Elgar (and even works in a few bars from Stravinsky's "Firebird" ballet!).Rhodes was regarded as a great hero during the first half of the twentieth century. Since then the wheel has turned 180 degrees and he is now vilified as a racist chancer. The truth is probably somewhere in between, and this series provides a good introduction to the man & his times.

I am surprised to read that this was a "commercial flop", in view of it's high entertainment value.Martin Shaw has created a believable Rhodes, in all his racism, sexism and class snobbery; he has also given us some idea of the monster's charisma, drive and vitality. A great performance.I didn't like the structure of flashbacks using the baroness as a focal point. Perhaps it was a desperate measure, as Rhodes himself appeared to have no significant females in his life; no mother, sister, girlfriend, wife, daughter or close female friend...quite a problem for the scriptwriter. Frances Barber did her best, but it might have been better just to accept that this was "boy's own" stuff and not try to bring in a significant female character.Wonderful exteriors, shot in South Africa, and some good acting from the rest of the cast.In spite of the above criticisms, I found it a serious, informative and entertaining watch. I just wish there had been no editing to make the series fit onto two DVDs. A third DVD could also have allowed for some worthwhile extras, such as an interview with the lead actor/writer.Well worth buying, however.

Martin Shaw said that he believe this is his best work, and he is perfectly right! English audiences have not been happy with this portrayal of Cecil Rhodes, the founder of Rhodesia, shown as a racist, a tyrant, a homosexual and a delusional crazy man. I'm not sure of the historical accuracy of the series, but as a work of fiction, it's a total success. As for me, I don't think it's necessary for a work of fiction to be accurate!A very important point is that the series is subtitled. As a hard of hearing person, I do need the subtitles to fully enjoy the story. I owned thie series in video tape, but there was no subtitles and that made it difficult for me to understand.So thank you to the editor for including the subtitles in this DVD release!Nicole, in France

Remember this film from when it was first shown on t.v. Still very well made and still very informative.

Many of us know the more recent history of Zimbabwe of the last 50 years, in itself chaotic and confusing. Not so many know the turbulent background of Rhodesia that led up to it, and which may to a certain extent cast light on some of the less comprehensible happenings of the present generation. This series provides an excellent opportunity to delve into that largely forgotten era and also enjoy a beautifully dramatized tale, although perhaps a little too person focused, on the colourful characters that actually created the real history behind this tragic country.

Enjoyed the film and will obviously watch it again in the future Good cast - well acted and good scenery

Je ne comprends toujours pas pour quelles raisons toutes les séries britanniques historiques ne sont jamais disponibles en français !! Ne sont disponibles que les séries policières .Je sais que la plupart des Français ,dans leurs diversités , sont réfractaires à l'Histoire .Même nos élites ,à quelques exceptions près ,se devraient d'avoir une connaissance plus appronfondie de certains faits historiques qui ont ,de nos jours encore ,des répercussions sur notre monde actuel . Rhodes ,comme son nom l'indique relate une partie de la vie de Cécil Rhodes (1853 - 1902 )qui entreprit la colonisation (oh ! quel mot honni !) de la partie de l'Afrique appelée plus tard Rhodésie.Cécil Rhodes développa à grande échelle l'extraction des diamants et fit de cette région de l'Afrique une des plus riches du continent noir .Jusqu'à il y a quelques années encore la Rhodésie était appelée le "grenier de l'Afrique " Les colons britanniques installés sur les lieux avaient su exploiter au maximum les richesses naturelles de la région dont tout le monde profitait ,y compris les autochtones .Puis il y a quelques décennies ,un sinistre individu du nom de Mungabé prit le pouvoir ,instaura un régime de tendance communiste ,débaptisa la Rhodésie pour l'appeler Zimbabwé ..Dans la foulée il chassa tous les colons blancs ,redistribua leurs terres aux autochtones qui tout de suite démontèrent les canalisations d'irrigation en métal... pour les vendre.Aujourd'hui le Zimbbabwé exangue ,est devenu le pays le plus pauvre d'Afrique ,ses habitants émigrent par centaines de milliers pour chercher fortune et nourriture ailleurs et le président Mungabé ,sans aucune vergogne s'accroche au pouvoir et réclame l'aide internationale.Du pays riche et florissant qu'avait créé Rhodes, un dictateur se réclamant d'une idéologie qui a échoué lamentablement dans tous les pays du monde en a fait un des pays les plus pauvres du monde . Certains de nos politiques devraient se pencher davantage sur le passé historique afin de leur donner matière à réflexion .Bref ,une série très instructive et édifiante .Sous titrée en anglais et plein écran contrairement à ce qui est indiqué

So much has been written against white Rhodesia, it's history especially, that I was all the more curious about this series. I remember initially avoiding it when it played on our local PBS station. But I finally sat down and watched this series through in one sitting wondering at times the reasons for making this program. Cecil Rhodes as portrayed in the films came across unsympathetic; possessive, suspicious, power driven are a few of the adjectives I could attribute to this portrayal by actor Martin Shaw. But I was riveted at the same time. You see, this Rhodes was also charismatic, visionary, even messianic. And very determined to grasp and mold another country regardless of the costs even to himself. This film does show racial prejudice with all it's "warts" towards all non-English living in Rhodesia including the Dutch/Boers. It also captures the beauty of that part of Africa as all these people must have lived it. Vast and unspoiled places are so hard to envision in the 21st century. One does not have to like a film's subject to feel it is well done and this film is very well done. Rather than disliking this man, I came away from this film wanting to know much more about Cecil Rhodes. Perhaps that is the success of any historical portrayal. It leaves one intrigued, unsatisfied, and intent. I recommend it to anyone willing to examine the birth of a nation and the human costs it extracts. Rhodes himself died relatively young of a heart ailment; a condition about which he knew and knew further that had he chosen to live a quieter life in the English countryside he might have lived much longer.

Very educational. Rhodes scholarship is still up to date and given away. Many todays politicians have benefited e.g. former praesident Clinton etc..Renate

Die Geschichte von Cecil Rhodes ist wirklich sehr interessant! Und ebenso die Geschichte von dem frühen, kolonialisierten Südafrika.Martin Shaw ist wahrhaftig ein hervorragender Schauspieler (bei uns besonders bekannt durch die 80er Serie "Die Profis") und auch sein Sohn Joe, der den jungen Cecil Rhodes spielt, ist wunderbar! Für Shaw-Fans sowieso ein Must-Have!Warum dann nur 4 Sterne?Ohne Vorinformationen über die Geschichte Südafrikas mag der Film an sich durch die häufigen Zeitsprünge (junger Rhodes /älterer Rhodes) etwas anstrengend sein. Außerdem ist es super schade, dass es keine deutsche Synchronisierung gibt! (und auch keine andere! Nicht einmal niederländisch... das wäre doch immerhin wegen der niederländischen Beteiligung an der Südafrikanischen Entwicklung damals eine nette geste von Seiten der Briten gewesen...- aber hey, wo gibt es denn schon Synchronisierung auf Holländisch? Ach ja! Bei Sponge-Bob! ---Sorry) Auch anderssprachige Untertitel fehlen leider. Die englischen Untertitel (immerhin gibt es DIE!) helfen ein wenig, denn die Schauspieler sprechen im Film häufig mit vollem Mund und da wird es auch für jemanden schwierig, der mit der Fremdsprache Englisch sonst weniger Schwierigkeiten hat.