Something of Value (1957) in Color — Starring Rock Hudson & Dana Wynter

Something of Value (1957) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover Something of Value, Richard Brooks’s 1957 war drama starring Rock Hudson, Sidney Poitier, and Dana Wynter, now available as a professionally colorized version. Own this classic movie in color as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for just €15.00.

Plot Summary

In colonial Kenya, Peter McKenzie and Kimani are childhood friends who grew up together on the McKenzie family farm, crossing the racial divide that separated white settlers from native Kikuyu. But as they reach adulthood, the brutal realities of colonialism drive them apart. The Mau Mau rebellion erupts across Kenya, pitting the Kikuyu people against the British colonial government in a campaign of terror and reprisal. Kimani, radicalized by years of witnessing his people’s dispossession and humiliation, joins the Mau Mau fighters in the forests. Peter, torn between his love for his African homeland and his loyalty to the colonial order, takes up arms against the insurgency. As the violence escalates — atrocities committed by both sides — the former friends find themselves on opposite sides of a savage conflict that consumes everyone around them. The film does not shy away from showing the moral complexity of the situation, depicting the legitimate grievances of the Kikuyu alongside the humanity of the settlers caught in a crisis not entirely of their making. When Peter and Kimani finally confront each other, the personal tragedy mirrors the larger catastrophe of a society tearing itself apart. This classic movie is a powerful examination of friendship, race, and violence set against one of Africa’s most turbulent chapters.

Cast & Crew

Director: Richard Brooks

Stars: Rock Hudson, Sidney Poitier, Dana Wynter, Walter Fitzgerald, Michael Pate, Ivan Dixon

Rock Hudson delivers one of his most committed dramatic performances as Peter McKenzie, a man torn between his deep love for his African homeland and his inherited position in the colonial hierarchy. Sidney Poitier is electrifying as Kimani, bringing intelligence and dignity to the role of a man driven to violence by systemic injustice. Their scenes together crackle with the tension of friendship destroyed by forces larger than either man. Dana Wynter provides emotional depth as Peter’s wife, caught in the crossfire of a conflict she never sought, while the supporting cast lends authenticity to the colonial setting.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

Something of Value was originally filmed in black and white on location in Kenya, its sweeping African landscapes and harrowing battle sequences captured in stark monochrome. This professionally colorized restoration brings frame-by-frame precision to the lush Kenyan highlands, the dense forest hideouts, and the red earth of the African bush. The colorized version transforms the visual experience of this restored classic film, bringing the beauty and terror of colonial East Africa to vivid life in a way that deepens the emotional impact of the story. Now also available in colour.

Buy Something of Value in color today for just €15.00. Your DRM-free MP4 download is available for instant access.

Historical Significance

Something of Value paired Rock Hudson and Sidney Poitier in a bold examination of racial conflict during the Mau Mau uprising, a subject Hollywood rarely tackled with such directness. Based on Robert Ruark’s bestselling novel, the film was shot partly on location in Kenya and did not shy from the moral complexities on all sides of the conflict. Director Richard Brooks, known for his fearless approach to controversial material in films like Blackboard Jungle, brought an unflinching realism to the depiction of colonial violence. The film was one of the earliest major Hollywood productions to feature a Black actor in a leading dramatic role equal to a white star, and it remains a significant document of both the Mau Mau era and Hollywood’s evolving treatment of race. Through colorization, this important historical drama reaches new audiences.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD restored
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: Original mono restored
• Runtime: Approximately 113 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — watch on any device
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Is the film based on real events?
A: Yes, the story is set against the real Mau Mau uprising in Kenya during the 1950s. While the main characters are fictional, the historical context is authentically depicted based on Robert Ruark’s novel drawn from his firsthand experiences in East Africa.

Q: Was this filmed on location in Africa?
A: Yes, portions of the film were shot on location in Kenya, lending authenticity to the African landscapes and adding documentary realism to the dramatic story.

Q: How does colorization affect the viewing experience?
A: Colorization brings stunning depth to the Kenyan landscapes — the green of the highland forests, the red earth of the bush, and the golden savanna — creating a visual experience that immerses viewers in the beauty and danger of colonial East Africa.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as an MP4 file compatible with virtually any device or media player.

Q: Is there DRM on the file?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free so you can watch it on any device without restrictions.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchase?
A: Your download link is available instantly after payment, so you can start watching within minutes.

Related Colorized Classics

• General Della Rovere (1959)
• The Long Voyage Home (1940)
• Bataan (1943)
• The Safecracker (1958)
• No Way Out (1950)