Rock Hudson and Sidney Poitier search for “Something of Value”

Directed by Richard Brooks and based on Robert Ruark’s best-selling novel, Something of Value (1957) is a stark, challenging drama set against the backdrop of the Mau Mau Uprising in colonial Kenya. The story centers on two young men, Peter McKenzie (Rock Hudson), the son of a white rancher, and Kimani (Sidney Poitier), the son of a Kikuyu tribal leader. Raised together as brothers on the same farm, their childhood bond transcends race, but as they reach adulthood, the rigid social structures of British-ruled East Africa begin to pull them apart, forcing them into the roles of master and servant.

The narrative shifts from personal friendship to political tragedy when Kimani’s father is imprisoned for adhering to tribal customs that conflict with colonial law. Feeling humiliated and betrayed by the system his friend represents, Kimani flees the farm and eventually joins the Mau Mau, a militant movement seeking to reclaim land and drive out European settlers. While Kimani is initially drawn to the cause by a desire for dignity and freedom, he becomes increasingly tormented by the brutal, indiscriminate violence demanded by the movement's leaders.

As the uprising turns into a bloody guerrilla war, the McKenzie farm becomes a target, and the lifelong friendship between Peter and Kimani is put to the ultimate test. Peter, who initially resists the harsh methods of the colonial militia, finds himself forced to take up arms to protect his family and his home. The film vividly portrays the “eye-for-an-eye” cycle of violence, illustrating how prejudice and the sudden dismantling of traditional cultures leave a vacuum that is often filled by hatred and chaos.

Sidney Poitier and Rock Hudson

Rock Hudson (1925–1985), born Roy Harold Scherer Jr. in Winnetka, Illinois, was a quintessential leading man of Hollywood’s Golden Age. After serving as a Navy airplane mechanic in World War II, he moved to Los Angeles and was eventually discovered by talent scout Henry Willson, who gave him his rugged stage name. Though his career began with minor roles, he skyrocketed to stardom in the 1954 drama Magnificent Obsession. Hudson’s versatile talent allowed him to excel in sweeping dramas like Giant (1956), which earned him an Academy Award nomination, and in a series of beloved romantic comedies alongside Doris Day, such as Pillow Talk (1959). In the 1970s, he successfully transitioned to television with the popular series McMillan & Wife.

Dana Wynter (1931–2011) was a German-born British actress celebrated for her elegance and sophisticated screen presence. Born Dagmar Winter in Berlin and raised in the United Kingdom and Southern Africa, she initially pursued a degree in medicine at Rhodes University before shifting her focus to the theater. After honing her craft in British films and New York television, she moved to Hollywood and signed a contract with 20th Century Fox, quickly winning a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer in 1956. She is best remembered for her iconic role as Becky Driscoll in the science fiction classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), and for her performances in major dramas such as Something of Value (1957) and Sink the Bismarck! (1960). In her later years, Wynter transitioned successfully to television with roles in series like The Man Who Never Was and McMillan & Wife, and she eventually became an occasional columnist for several prestigious publications.

Sidney Poitier (1927 - 2022) was an American actor and director. He was the first black man to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field (1963). Poitier made his film debut in No Way Out, which launched him on a path to movie stardom. Other early films include Cry, The Beloved Country (1951), Blackboard Jungle (1955), and Edge of the City (1957). Another breakthrough came with The Defiant Ones (1958) where he co-starred with Tony Curtis. Both actors were nominated for the Best Actor Academy Award, with Poitier’s nomination the first for a black man. In 1959, he starred in the first production of A Raisin in the Sun on Broadway. He starred in the film version in 1961. That same year, he starred with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in Paris Blues. Other film roles include The Bedford Incident (1965) and A Patch of Blue (1965), co-starring Elizabeth Hartman and Shelley Winters. Poitier’s big year was 1967. He had three hits: To Sir, with Love, In the Heat of the Night, and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. The popularity of these three films made him the top box office draw of the year. Later in his career, Poitier started directing films like Uptown Saturday Night (1974) and Stir Crazy (1980). Poitier was a recipient of an Honorary Academy Award for his contribution to the motion picture industry.

Something of Value trivia

• Real-Life Segregation on Set: Despite the film’s message of racial equality, the production faced the harsh reality of segregation while filming on location in Africa. Sidney Poitier was initially barred from "white-only" restaurants, and the production team had to exert significant pressure on the local hotel to allow him to stay as a guest alongside his white co-stars.
• Alternate Titles: While the film is famously known by the title of Robert Ruark's bestseller, it was originally released in some regions under the more sensational title Africa Ablaze.
• A Controversial Reception: Because the film depicted the Mau Mau Uprising—a conflict that was still very fresh and politically sensitive in the late 1950s—it was banned in several countries upon its release. Additionally, some theaters in the American South refused to screen the movie due to its portrayal of an interracial friendship and the tense racial themes.
• Directorial Dedication: To ensure the film was as authentic as possible, director Richard Brooks traveled to Kenya for an extensive research trip before filming began. He even integrated a prologue into the film featuring Winston Churchill (voiced by an actor), which emphasized the historical gravity of the "Something of Value" proverb.

 

Dana Wynter and Rock Hudson

Click HERE to watch the movie on the Internet Archive.

Click HERE to join the online discussion on January 19, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Once you RSVP, you will receive an invitation with a link to join the discussion on Zoom.

 

Discussion questions

1. The "Something of Value" Philosophy: The film’s title comes from a proverb stating that if you take away a people's traditions, you must replace them with "something of value." In the context of the film, did the British colonial system provide an adequate replacement for the Kikuyu customs they suppressed? Why or why not?
2. The Evolution of Friendship: Peter (Rock Hudson) and Kimani (Sidney Poitier) begin the film as "brothers," but their relationship is shattered by a single act of humiliation and the weight of systemic inequality. Was their eventual conflict inevitable given the social structure of 1950s Kenya, or was there a specific turning point where their friendship could have been saved?
3. The Ethics of Resistance vs. Order: The film portrays the Mau Mau Uprising not just as a political struggle, but as a moral crisis for both sides. How does the movie balance the portrayal of Kimani’s legitimate grievances against the brutal methods used by the Mau Mau? Similarly, does the film successfully critique the colonial government's response, or does it ultimately favor the preservation of the "status quo"?
4. Symbolism of the Next Generation: The film ends with a powerful image involving the children of the two opposing sides. Based on the cycle of violence depicted throughout the movie, do you find the ending to be genuinely hopeful, or is it a bittersweet acknowledgment that the "healing" process will take generations to achieve?