This film is set in the newly discovered diamond fields of Southern Africa, in the 1870s, and is loosely based on real events. This area was arguably wilder than the wild west, for a while. The discovery of diamonds alongside the Vaal river created quite a rumpus at the time; in a disputed area, claimed by various parties, the only law and order was one that the 10000-odd diggers made for themselves. Eventually the region was annexed by the British and later became part of the Orange Free State, but in the meantime, following an attempted takeover by the Transvaal Boers, a short lived "Digger's Republic" was declared.
Instrumental in the creation and administration of the Digger's Republic was Cpt Stafford Parker; that much is historically accurate, beyond that however it is most likely artistic licence having precedence over historical fact. However that few of the protagonists speak with anything like a South African accent is probably quite accurate; most of the diggers were British emigrants and the characters that are variously Boers and Native Africans do have accents that are not a million miles from those they might have had in reality.
As a film, it isn't a bad film; it would have been immeasurably improved by being shot in widescreen colour, but presumably the budget did not permit this; the arid landscape is pretty much lost in shades of grey here. However for modern movie buffs the main interest is probably in the cast; David Farrar (of Black Narcissus fame) has the lead, with a decent supporting cast including a very young Diana Dors and an equally young Honor Blackman. Bill 'Compo' Owen has a decent role too.
Honor Blackman plays a prim, "butter-wouldn't-melt-in-her-mouth" type, in stark contrast to the later roles such as 'Pussy Galore' and in the Avengers for which she is better known. Dors has her largest role to date in this film; here she throws a mean bottle! Although there is a plot with more than one love triangle that could have been explored in subtlety and depth (as per Black Narcissus), all played out to the harsh backdrop of the African scenery, here it is something of an opportunity missed.
So a film that is worth watching for sure, but not for the reasons for which it was originally made. For once I think the average score (6.0 at the time of writing) isn't a bad reflection of this film's quality.
