Something of Value

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Something of Value

1957

1h 53m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

50%

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6 Reviews

48%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

In Kenya, Peter (Rock Hudson), the son of a white settler, forms a tight friendship with Kimani (Sidney Poitier), a Kenyan worker. After Kimani's father is imprisoned for enforcing a controversial tribal tradition, Kimani realizes his place is among the Mau Mau, a group that is organizing a revolt. The Mau Mau attacks Peter's brother-in-law Jeff (Robert Beatty) with tragic results, inspiring Peter to take action. When the two finally come face to face again, peace is hard to establish.

Time Out

Brooks' chief insight -- good and bad on both sides, tolerance the answer -- hardly seizes the imagination, and the contentious climax, with Hudson carrying a wounded Poitier on his back, has every indication of being intended symbolically.

Apr 8, 2008

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

A pretty, good estimation of the social problems involved.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 8, 2008

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Moira Walsh

America Magazine

The picture lacks a feeling for the larger issues at stake, but on its own melodramatic terms it is absorbing and even enlightening.

Jul 14, 2021

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Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

Adapted from the Robert Ruark novel, this overlong drama about Africa's Mau Mau troubles tries to deal fairly with both sides but never reaches any illuminating conclusions.

Nov 11, 2019

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TV Guide

Though the story is fiction, the film rings true, with a fair portrait of both sides of the conflict.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 8, 2008

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

As drama not much in value.

Rated: C

May 5, 2005

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Steve D

Something of Value but not much despite a worthy topic.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/09/23

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ashley h

Something of Value is an excellent film. It is about Kimani who soon finds that different races are treated differently even though he grew up with Peter. Rock Hudson and Sidney Poitier give amazing performances. The screenplay is well written. Richard Brooks did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the drama.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

filmed on location this historical pic is good

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

I hadn't heard of this movie before it came on Turner Classic Movies the other day. Rock Hudson playing a straight guy. Sidney Poitier playing a Mau Mau fighter. I have to admit that the story was engaging on a number of levels. I enjoyed seeing great actors doing what they do! I'm not sure that I would recommend the movie unless you are a fan of Hudson or Poitier ... or if you want to see a story about the origin of the Mau Mau.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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Audience Member

the movie was fair. neither Hudson nor Poitier were stellar in their roles. interesting that it was made in the era of the anti-colonial insurgency. the story is compelling and worth watching for 'educational' purposes.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

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Audience Member

Extraordinary, truthful film about the effects of colonialism and racism. It's interesting that this film, based on the book by Richard Ruark, came out in 1957: a time of tumultuous change beginning to re-shape the world as we know it today. It was the same year Ghana became the first African country to win its independence and the Little Rock Nine faced violent, racist resistance in their efforts at integration and equality.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

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Richard Brooks

Director

Rock Hudson

Peter

Dana Wynter

Holly

Sidney Poitier

Kimani Wa Karanja

Wendy Hiller

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Synopsis

In Kenya, Peter (Rock Hudson), the son of a white settler, forms a tight friendship with Kimani (Sidney Poitier), a Kenyan worker. After Kimani's father is imprisoned for enforcing a controversial tribal tradition, Kimani realizes his place is among the Mau Mau, a group that is organizing a revolt. The Mau Mau attacks Peter's brother-in-law Jeff (Robert Beatty) with tragic results, inspiring Peter to take action. When the two finally come face to face again, peace is hard to establish.

Director: Richard Brooks
Producer: Pandro S. Berman
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 12, 2017
Runtime: 1h 53m

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