Sanders of the River

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Sanders of the River

Released Apr 8, 1935

1h 38m

Adventure

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80%

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5 Reviews

27%

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50+ Ratings

In N'Gombi, Nigeria, British District Commissioner R.G. Sanders (Leslie Banks) oversees various tribes. Discovering that a Liberian native, Bosambo (Paul Robeson), has been acting as chief without approval, Sanders nevertheless is impressed by Bosambo's skills and allows him to remain chief. With Sanders' aid, Bosambo holds off an attack by rebel Mofolaba, and for the next five years peace reigns at the river. However, when Sanders heads to England to marry, Mofolaba returns, vowing revenge.

Paul Rotha

Cinema Quarterly

It is important to remember that the multitudes of this country who see Africa in this film, are being encouraged to believe this fudge is real.

Feb 4, 2021

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Ann Ross

Maclean's Magazine

On the whole Sanders of the River is more interesting as travelogue than as story.

Aug 12, 2019

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Helen Brown Norden

Vanity Fair

Korda spent five months in Africa on location, and some of the scenes are remarkable.

Jun 12, 2019

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MFB Critics

Monthly Film Bulletin

Produced with great dignity, the film has the advantage of a grand theme, of some glorious scenery, wild game, and native types all admirably photographed, of several really exciting sequences, and of some good singing.

Feb 8, 2018

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

An old-fashioned British colonial adventure drama set in Africa.

Rated: B-

Oct 29, 2014

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Audience Member

good action adventure yarn

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

while it is always a bit difficult to watch the treatment of black people in earlier film history, paul robeson is the kind of charismatic individual that made perhaps the biggest strides toward breaking that mold. what a powerful personality the man had, the resonance of his voice, that toothy smile. he commanded the respect that he deserved on screen. this film, treats africans with a patronizing demeanor seeing as it was a british film while it was still coming to terms with its imperial influences on the world. sanders, as the title refers to, is not robeson but british actor leslie banks, who is completely overshadowed by robesons performance. not necessarily the most incredible of films, but a great bit of history.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Zoltan Korda

Director

Paul Robeson

Bosambo

Leslie Banks

Commissioner R.G. Sanders

Nina Mae McKinney

Lilongo

Robert Cochran

Lieutenant Tibbets

Martin Walker

J. Ferguson

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Synopsis

In N'Gombi, Nigeria, British District Commissioner R.G. Sanders (Leslie Banks) oversees various tribes. Discovering that a Liberian native, Bosambo (Paul Robeson), has been acting as chief without approval, Sanders nevertheless is impressed by Bosambo's skills and allows him to remain chief. With Sanders' aid, Bosambo holds off an attack by rebel Mofolaba, and for the next five years peace reigns at the river. However, when Sanders heads to England to marry, Mofolaba returns, vowing revenge.

Director: Zoltan Korda
Producer: Alexander Korda
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: United Artists
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 8, 1935, Original
Runtime: 1h 38m