REMARKABLE FILM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 186, 8 August 1935, Page 8

REMARKABLE FILM.

"SANDERS OF THE RIVER." To a public satiated with stories of sophisticated modern city life, die film of Edgar Wallace's well-known book "Sanders of the River" will be most agreeable. This picture, previewed yesterday afternoon, will open its season at tfie Regent Theatre on Friday. It was filmed in the heart of the Congo—and the filming is genuine. To make this picture two years were spent in the territory, and it bears the hallmark of authenticity. The life of ' the natives— their dances, their tribal customs, their barbarity, and their primitive ethical code, in short the natives as they are— brought home with the simple force of truth. One eees them on the river in their great canoes, propelled by 100 paddles, and, above all, as a background, insistent and ever present, one hears the strong, deep and melodious organ-voice of Paul Robeson. This is a feature of which the film's producers are particularly proud, and they have reason to be proud. Robeson's singing ie superimposed on the chanting of the natives, and the effect is thrilling and memorable.

The picture itself tells something of the ordinary life of one of His Majesty's resident commissioners, Sanders, a man who ' rules the lives of twice as many people as there are in Xew Zealand. He has brought British law to the river, and he has to keep it there. That ie the theme of the story. Incidentally, the picture ehows the wisdom, tact, courage and subtlety that are required of these men, who, thousands of miles from civilisation, rule the Empire in the name of him whom the natives revere as "the great white King." One must treat these people, it seeme, as children, and as with children know when to be kind and when to be firm. It is a lesson in the way in which the Empire is administered. The photography is marvellous, and one realises, perhaps for the first time, how important is the accurate recording of sound, for in this latest advance in the film industry one is able to hear the life of the river in all ite intimate details. The native "telegraph service"—the drums—the blood dance of the frenzied warriors, the crooning of the women in the compounds—all are seen and heard. By way of contrast an aeroplane roare up the river, which, by the way, is like a miniature sea. On the one bank are j the dark forests—on the other are the open plains, whereon roam herds of animals—buffalo, giraffes, rhinoceri, and animals stranger and rarer. In the rivers , great crocodiles, which symbolise all that | is dark and sinister in a continent surnamed "dark," slither off the mudbanks into the river. At the sound of the aeroplane engine hippopotami plunge into the deep to rise again in terror. From the more quiet reaches the sky, becomes white with the flight of flamingo, • while vultures gather to the feast when! the law departs from the river. In short, there is much that is new, much to instruct, -much to thrill, and something to amuse; but the foremost and most lasting impression is that of the glorious voice of Paul Robeson, in the character of Bosambo. Leslie Banks' characterisation of the Resident Commissioner is an excellent piece of work. i