From the 1800s to the mid-part of the 20th century, Africa was colonized by various European powers. The incentives for the occupation were both political and economic, as the nations not only made use of African resources but also enlisted able-bodied African men into their respective armies, hence boosting the odds of victory during the two world wars. Today, the debate regarding whether colonization was beneficial or detrimental rages on. The topic is guaranteed to strike a nerve or trigger nostalgia depending on when and where it’s discussed but Hollywood and other film industries have tip-toed on this line rather carefully. Over the years, there have been several movies set in colonial Africa, and they have all done well by focusing on entertaining angles rather than controversial ones.
10The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)
In modern-day Africa, the movement of wild animals is restricted to the perimeters of well-managed game reserves, but in colonial Africa, man and beast regularly crossed paths, resulting in deadly fights for survival. Such a ‘hunter versus hunted’ game is best demonstrated inThe Ghost and the Darkness. In the film, English military engineer, Lt. Colonel John Henry Patterson, is hired to construct a railroad in Kenya, back in the 19th century, only for man-eating lions to start targeting the workers.
Apart from featuring some of the deadliest villainous animals ever seen on screen,The Ghost and the Darknessprovides key details about the dynamics of the British occupation of East Africa, making it a perfect movie for both historians and fans ofcaptivating killer creature movies. Besides that, Val Kilmer does a great job of showcasing the franticness and desperation of Lt. Patterson. The protagonist finds himself in a difficult spot because he just cannot pack up and run like everyone else. This is the kind of job that would add weight to his resume, so he has to see it through.
9The African Queen (1951)
The African Queenis a worthy addition to the long list ofgreat World War I moviesas it features a clash as it revolves around a drunk boat captain and a missionary’s efforts to help the British conduct an attack on German forces in Tanganyika. At first, British troops struggle to move into the area because of the presence of a large gunboat that patrols the lake. The two thus figure out a way to destroy it.
With Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn playing the leads, the performances remain strong throughout the 105-minute running time. In fact, this is the role that earned Bogart his only Oscar. Away from the acting and the conflict, the movie is boosted by an intriguing romance arc. The dynamic between a godly woman and a drunkard sure is an odd one, and it gets even better when they fall in love. Together, they vow to make it out alive.
8Mountains of the Moon (1990)
In most parts of Africa, natives often joke about the fact that foreign explorers were credited with discovering various mountains, water bodies, and regions, yet some locals had already seen these ‘discoveries’ before. Well, some might argue that a discovery isn’t official until it’s documented and that’s the angle thatMountains of the Moonruns with. The movie chronicles the adventures of explorers Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke, who were credited with locating the source of the River Nile.
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Before the achievement comes, the two men encounter all kinds of challenges. They clash with natives, experience harsh weather, and suffer personal injuries. Even after the glory, they don’t end up happy. A feud develops, with Burton calling out Speke for chasing fame instead of facts. Speke argues that the mission is complete, but Burton insists the evidence isn’t sufficient yet. And the conclusion is one that’s guaranteed to shock audiences.
7Mister Johnson (1990)
Adapted from Joyce Cary’s novel of the same name,Mister Johnsonfollows a Nigerian man who is fascinated with all things British. He identifies more with colonialists than fellow Africans and spends his days trying to impress his boss, Harry Rudbeck (Pierce Brosnan). His desire to shine causes him to do several illegal things, resulting in his fall.
Ordinarily, characters that rely on sycophancy to get ahead aren’t always likable, but Mister Johnson can wow audiences with his humor, hard work, and resilience. All he wants is to give his family a better life, and if that means saying “Yes Sir!” to Mr. Rudbeck a hundred times a day, so be it. Regrettably, he gets a bit too carried away in the end.
6Out of Africa (1985)
Much of Meryl Streep’s work from the ‘80s has flown under the radar and among her little-known gems from the past isOut of Africa. In it, she plays the British aristocrat Karen Blixen, who heads to Kenya in 1913 to help her husband run a coffee farm. When he becomes unfaithful, she falls for a hunter, but the relationship is a complicated one because he doesn’t believe in the institution of marriage.
Away from the romance plot, the film is generally heartwarming because of the great lengths that Karen goes to ensure her workers live well. She even makes plans to leave her land to them once she relocates to the country. Today, Karen Blixen’s vast farm is now Kenya’s most high-end suburb, and home to some of the wealthiest and most influential people in the East African nation.
5Zulu (1964)
Zuluis one of the films Michael Caine is most proud of, and in it, he plays the brave but patronizing British soldier, Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead, whose task is to stop a rebellion by the Zulu tribe in colonial South Africa. The events culminate in what has now come to be known as the Battle of Rorke’s Drift.
The story is a little similar to that of the 300 Spartans who defended Thermopylae against a large invading Persian force. Here, 150 British soldiers (some wounded) are forced to defend themselves against a strong 4000-man Zulu force. The movie’s best moments, therefore, come from the fight sequences, and what’s more impressive about this particular battle is that there are no losers. 400 Zulus and 17 British officers die and, in the end, both parties agree to a ceasefire.
4Chocolat (1988)
Told through a series of flashbacks,Chocolatfollows French woman France Dalens as she recalls her early days in French-occupied Cameroon. During her childhood years, she forms a strong friendship with the house servant, Aimée. The film thus uses the dialogue between the two to discuss the good and the bad of colonialism. Soon, things become complicated when France’s mother develops a crush on the humble African man.
Because France’s father is a mean and bigoted colonial administrator, there is always a sense of tension in the film because of the endless hints that he might just discover what his daughter and wife are up to. In the end, France’s mother ends up becoming the villain, as she suddenly becomes malicious after Aimée rejects her advances, out of the fear of offending his employer.
3Ceddo (1977)
Movies with religious themesare always thought-provoking andCeddois no different. The French set up administrative posts in Senegal, and at the same time, missionaries make forays into the area too, converting the majority of the populace into Muslims. However, a group known as the Ceddo, resists the indoctrination and insists on retaining traditional values and worshiping African gods.
Even though the missionaries preach peace, a war develops between the Muslim and non-Muslim locals, with each group aiming to assert its dominance in the region. Generally, the endless fight scenes are what elevateCeddoto must-see status, but the dialogue is clever too, with the movie often making the point that spiritualism is far better than religion.
2The Lion Has Seven Heads (1970)
The Lion Has Seven Headsdraws inspiration from Che Guevera’s adventures in Africa. Apart from liberating Cuba, the revolutionary attempted to free the Congo region from Imperialism and the movie features a character who is modeled after him. Here, the hero doesn’t face the disease and bureaucracy challenges that Che faced. Instead, he is up against a zealot preacher who sees him as the antichrist. The title is a reference to the seven-headed beast which is talked about in the Book of Revelation.
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The film has a large cast of natives as extras hence it feels authentic. Additionally, the cinematography is awe-inspiring, with the vegetation and unique architectural design of the time being showcased regularly. The camera angles are also something to behold and in most of the scenes, it always seems like the characters are speaking directly to the viewer.
1Wah-Wah (2005)
The tiny Swaziland nation is located right in the middle of South Africa and even though the latter didn’t achieve full independence until the early ‘90s, the former became free as early as 1968. Such complex political proceedings are explored in the comedy-dramaWah-Wahwhere Ralph, a young White man who has grown up in Swaziland, watches as his family disintegrates because of the end of colonial rule.
While the new developments bring much joy to the locals, Ralph suffers greatly. His father becomes an alcoholic and people who were considered family friends suddenly leave. And there’s more for audiences to enjoy after finishing the movie. Director Richard E. Grant wrote a book (The Wah-Wah Diaries), which digs into the chaotic production process. At some point, Grant was even forced to meet the King of Swalizand and apologize after using local folk songs without approval.
