"RHODES OF AFRICA."

Evening Post, Issue 30, 4 August 1936, Page 5

"RHODES OF AFRICA."

Coming to the Plaza.

"Rhodes of Africa," the Gaumont British film coming shortly to the Plaza Theatre, tells the story of the conflict . between the- diamond and gold-madness of the adventurers and the courage and foresight of the great empire-builder. The picture tells as no history book could of the unremitting perseverance and ,the indomitable spirit of the man whose watchword was "Cape to Cairo," and 'who thought of the Empire and civilisation while those around him' dreamed only of wealth. The characterisation of Rhodes by Walter Huston is the most impressive feature about a picture that is unusual in many reispects. In a sense the film is more of a direct biography than any other which can readily be called to mind.' It bears the impress of truth, and is guided by the dominance of a single man. Yet it is the history of all South ■ .i& J or t*"3 P eriod of the influence ! of Rhodes. As his greatest antagonist and the only .one whom he does not' overcome, Oscar Homolka, playing the part of Paul Kruger. is almost as impressive a figure as Rhodes himself. ,His triumph after the Jameson raid serves to show the other side of ' ißhodes's nature, the side that enI deared him to the men under his command, and which caused the Matabele ■to offer him the royal salute at his death. Huston is supported by a fine ! 'cast, including Basil Sydney as Dr i Jameson, Frank Cellier as Barney ißarnato, Peggy Ashcroft as the writer [Anna Carpenter, and many others