Black History Month: Sanders of the River

SANDERS OF THE RIVER
Directed by Zoltán Korda
Written by Lajos Biro, Jeffrey Dell, Edgar Wallace and Arthur Wimperis
Starring Leslie Banks and Paul Robeson
UK, 1935

My last Paul Robeson movie this month is a pro-colonialism story in which we learn the lesson that as long as a good white colonial patriarch is in charge of an African country, the natives will be cool. But if a shitty white colonial patriarch takes over, the natives will revolt. Of course, this is a terrible message.

You might wonder why Robeson would star in a flick like this. Turns out, he was conned into it – led to believe his role would show the dignified and human side of African tribal leaders, as well as the beauty of the continent and the ways of its people. In actuality, the finished film glorified the titular white guy Sanders (Leslie Banks), loved by his native underlings. In his absence, fighting among tribes springs up. When he returns, it is only he who is able to restore order. Even if he’s stricken with malaria, his glorious super powers of colonialism get him through.

Robeson stars as a tribal chief who is an ally of Sanders. When his wife is captured by a rival tribe, he tracks them down and is captured. Don’t worry, though. Sanders arrives just in the nick of time to save him.

In Robeson’s early scenes it almost looks like he’s in on some joke the colonialists are not. Like he’s humoring them but laughing at them on the inside. As if they believe he’s their buddy but he knows they’re full of shit. Of course I don’t know, but I would guess Robeson was playing it this way because of what he thought the movie was about. Later, he seems like more of an honest ally to Sanders.

In all three of Robeson’s movies I watched this month, it was remarkable what a huge leading man presence he had. It’s a shame he’s not well remembered today, and also a shame there weren’t better films for him to be a part of in his prime. Still, even with limitations, he stands high above everyone round him on screen, dwarfing everyone with his magnetism and charm – a star that was bigger than the pictures he starred in.