The Flame Trees of Thika

I first saw the Flame Trees of Thika 40 years ago and had forgotten what a superb program it was. I just saw it again on Acorn TV and it is a real feast for the eyes. Made on location in Kenya with actors playing their own nationality, Scots playing Scots, Dutch playing South African Boers, and Kenyan actors and native tribespeople playing the Kenyans, and real wildlife (lots and lots of wildlife) . The location scenery is stunning and amost a travelogue for Kenya. Ben Cross, who passed away last year was in his 30's and ruggedly handsome as a horse trader/safari leader. The acting was top notch. Although set in the early 20th centurywhen Kenya was being colonised by aristocratic second sons and former military officers of the British empire, this is not The Happy Valley of White Mischief - more the second class settlers who are very hard working farmers struggling to establish coffee plantations and farm animals and doing the work themmselves, tatherr than appointing stewards. I plan to buy the DVD to keep on hand for when the series on no longer available on TV.

Unfortunately the first episode on Acorn does not have captions, and has an inferior picture, but I persevered and the subsequent episodes had both captions and a better picture. There is a disclaimer to the effect that certain scenes and lanaguage are counter to what is acceptable today and may offend some people. I don't know what was offensive - colonial rule in East Africa was what it was and we did not see any atrocities or brutalities carried out by the white settlers, nor was there any bad language or graphic sex, so the series could be enjoyed by the whole family.

This series that I first watched on PBS on television is so very excellent. At the time, I didn't know that it was based on a true story. It was exhilarating to see Hayley Mills as a Mother playing a realistic, gritty role and exciting to see the history of what life was like then. All of the characters added to the telling of this remarkable story. Elspeth, the young girl, was especially a standout for me as she adjusted to life in the rough and making friendships with the people from there and having experiences first hand.

I would certainly recommend this series to anyone who is interested in the history of South America, customs trying to be kept alive in a different culture and anyone who is a fan of Hayley Mills.

I would love to know what happened to the Family during and after the War!

To even think that this show is colonialist or smug towards Africans is completely ridiculous and insane at best.

The show couldn't be more positive towards Africans and negative towards white people.

This is one of these strangely manipulative but innocent looking guilt-trip-shows that are very popular in Germany or the USA.

Virtually all white people - besides 2 or 3 exceptions - are ignorant, patronizing and mean while virtually every African - besides 1 exception at best - is a good behaved hard worker.

The supposedly good will of the show doesn't just stop at the skin color of people.

It really likes to contrast super-capable, strong, confident (blonde) women with whiny, hysterical (dark haired) women.

In other words, the more noble the aim, the more pathetic the result.

I even doubt, however, the oh so noble and moral goal of the show. It just feels very wrong-headed and under-complex for the depth of it's topics.

Sometimes you watch a bit of something, and you just KNOW you're seeing something special.

I first saw this series around 20 years ago as a weekly mini-series on PBS. The wonderful story, great acting, beautiful scenery and haunting music has stayed with me. When I saw the video at our local library I was happy to renew my acquainenance with Elspeth and her family in Kenya. The story plays just as well 20 years later.

Thanks to all who had a part in "The Flame Trees of Thika" for giving us such a gift.

I recall seeing this movie on PBS in the early 1980's when Masterpiece Theatre presented a rich assortment of British TV shows. In this series, we find the Grant family in colonial Africa before and during World War I. The show is seen through the eyes of daughter Elspeth played superbly by Holly Aird.

It was a pleasant surprise to see Hayley Mills in this series along with David Robb who has been performing on British television for many years. The series gives the viewers some wonderful scenery and a glimpse of life in Africa at the time. It is very telling to hear the comments of young Elspeth on the lives of her parents and the people they interact with in Africa. All in all, a great series with very appealing background scenery.