weezeralfalfa Tells the story of an outsider(Paul Robeson, as Bosambo) who migrated into central Nigeria(then part of British West Africa), along the Niger River, and soon became a chief of the Ochuri people(sounds very unlikely). He is tall and robust: a good warrior when he has to be, but prefers to promote peace among and between the various tribes of the region, against raids for slaves and wives. Hence, Bosambo has become a favorite of the district commissioner: Sanders. He hopes to make him chief of all the tribes along this stretch of the river, as a first step toward detribalization of the region.Opposing this plan is King Mofolaba, who wants to continue raids for slaves and more wives. He is especially angry at Bosambo for making him give up the people in his last raid. Among these people was Bosambo's future wife: Lilongo(Nina Mae McKinney). In the temporary absence of Sanders from the region, Mofolaba wants to capture and kill Bosambo, using his captured wife as bait. His wife is captured, and Bosambo decides to treck alone to Mofolaba's village to negotiate the release of his wife, a very dangerous move. He is also captured and tied to a stake, ready to be killed. But, Sanders has returned, and is commanding a gunboat, making the difficult journey up the rivet to Mofolaba's village. He arrives just in time to free Bosambo and his wife, spraying machine gun bullets toward the village(although,I didn't see any warriors fall, just runaway!). After Mofolaba is dispatched, at a gathering of all the chiefs in the region, Sanders asks them to accept Bosambo as their higher chief. I should mention that 2 white men were smuggling rifles and liquor to the natives. They spread the rumor that Sanders had died, thus inducing Mofolaba to resume his slave raiding. But, when he found out this wasn't true, Mofolaba had these 2 killed. It was interesting seeing the native people being themselves, including their ritual singing and dancing. Robeson sang several warrior songs: "The Song of the Spear", and "The Lion Song". Nina Mae McKinney sang the lullaby "My Little Black Dove" to her infant child. Paul Robeson was very appropriate to play Bosambo. He was born in America, but came to spend much time in Britain and Europe, away from the racial prejudice of America. He was a superb athlete, and genius: learning many languages and was valedictorian of his Rutgers class. He was an accomplished singer and actor, having sung "Ole Man River" in the 1936 film version of "Showboat". Later, he became involved in civil rights, and flirted with Communism. After finishing the present film, he was sorry he had participated in it, feeling that it rationalized colonialism more than bringing the native African to the attention of American audiences. Nina Mae McKinney, who played Bosambo's wife, was also born in the US and also spent much time in Europe, getting away from the prejudice in America, and especially Hollywood. She was regarded as quite beautiful, and talented in acting and singing. Her beauty was actually a handicap for Hollywood roles, at this time.

disinterested_spectator Sanders is a British officer who has picked up the white man's burden and made Nigeria a better place for the Africans who populate it. We know they are happy, because they are always singing. The British do not sing, however, because running an empire is serious business. There seems to be a cult of personality, however, since the place falls apart as soon as Sanders goes on vacation. As word spreads that he is dead, we see animals running about, so apparently even they are upset. War breaks out, and Sanders has to return. While he was gone, a couple of smugglers had been selling gin and rifles to the natives, which is against the law. But the rifles don't seem to do the natives any good, because they continue to use spears. As the boat Sanders is on races to save Bosambo, a good African chieftain who loves being ruled by Sanders and the British Empire, an officer commands an African worker who is operating the boiler to put more wood on the fire for more speed. The African replies that the boiler will blow. But the stiff upper lip of the British officer is not cowed by mere physics, and he contemptuously dismisses the warning. The boiler backs down and humbly submits to British authority, just like everything else.

MartinHafer I am rather surprised that a man of Paul Robeson's convictions would agree to star in this film. That's because this British production STRONGLY reinforces that colonialism is good as well as the paternalistic view of black Africans. In other words, the people of Africa, according to the film, are too violent and dumb to rule themselves. And, when the British aren't there, the folks quickly regenerate to tribal warfare. While there is some truth to the stabilizing influence of the British, this film seems to say that the ends DOES justify the means. So, taking over the nations and running them is okay according to the movie. And, considering how strongly Robeson fought for racial equality, it is odd indeed that he'd been in a film like this--and play a part of a character that completely buys into this system.Apart from the message reinforcing the status quo, is the film worth seeing? Well, yes. Technically it looks really good--far better than most African films of the era (which often showed irrelevant stock footage at every turn) and it was nice to hear Robeson's melodious voice. And, it is entertaining.By the way, Robeson's name in the film was Bosambo! With this and the plot, you can see why he disowned the film when it debuted!

tavm In reviewing films involving African-Americans in chronological order for Black History Month, it's now 1935 when singer/actor Paul Robeson has gone to England for this movie produced by Alexander Korda's London Films with direction by Korda's brother Zoltan. It takes place and is partially filmed in Africa and concerns a British colonialist (Leslie Banks) who places Robeson in charge of keeping peace among various tribes especially when the tribal king (Tony Wane) seems intent on abusing his power. Later on, Robeson meets Nina Mae McKinney and makes her his wife and they have a couple of kids. I'll stop there and just say despite some questionable politics that permeate the film, this was quite a rousing adventure to watch what with many of the wonderful scenery along the countryside with various beautiful animal shots not to mention the wonderful singing voices of Robeson and, in one instance, Ms. McKinney. And the sequences of the tribes, whether chanting or going into battle, bring plenty of excitement to bear. So on that note, Sanders of the River is at the very least, well worth a look.