Commissioner R. G. Sanders (Leslie Banks) is the law in a river section of Nigeria. He is feared and respected for his justice and competence under the rule of law. Bosambo (Paul Robeson) is brought in with a record of petty larceny. He had made himself a local chief and warns that the old King is returning looking to retake his kingdom. Bosambo promises to be a loyal subject to the British.

This movie is dedicated to the white colonizers. It was to show that colonialism was right and it's not hard to understand why Fascists like this. There are some authentic looking natives. There is authentic African dances. There is a fly-over filming of native wildlife. The filmmaking is otherwise functional. The river war canoes are great but they need to get into a big climatic battle for a better finish. It's not like that there are compelling characters other than Bosambo. Robeson has some good charisma. The white characters are stiff. The other black characters are extras. The overall inherent racism is a little too much to take.

I am rather surprised that a man of Paul Robeson's convictions would agree to star in this film. That's because this British production STRONGLY reinforces that colonialism is good as well as the paternalistic view of black Africans. In other words, the people of Africa, according to the film, are too violent and dumb to rule themselves. And, when the British aren't there, the folks quickly regenerate to tribal warfare. While there is some truth to the stabilizing influence of the British, this film seems to say that the ends DOES justify the means. So, taking over the nations and running them is okay according to the movie. And, considering how strongly Robeson fought for racial equality, it is odd indeed that he'd been in a film like this--and play a part of a character that completely buys into this system.

Apart from the message reinforcing the status quo, is the film worth seeing? Well, yes. Technically it looks really good--far better than most African films of the era (which often showed irrelevant stock footage at every turn) and it was nice to hear Robeson's melodious voice. And, it is entertaining.

By the way, Robeson's name in the film was Bosambo! With this and the plot, you can see why he disowned the film when it debuted!

In reviewing films involving African-Americans in chronological order for Black History Month, it's now 1935 when singer/actor Paul Robeson has gone to England for this movie produced by Alexander Korda's London Films with direction by Korda's brother Zoltan. It takes place and is partially filmed in Africa and concerns a British colonialist (Leslie Banks) who places Robeson in charge of keeping peace among various tribes especially when the tribal king (Tony Wane) seems intent on abusing his power. Later on, Robeson meets Nina Mae McKinney and makes her his wife and they have a couple of kids. I'll stop there and just say despite some questionable politics that permeate the film, this was quite a rousing adventure to watch what with many of the wonderful scenery along the countryside with various beautiful animal shots not to mention the wonderful singing voices of Robeson and, in one instance, Ms. McKinney. And the sequences of the tribes, whether chanting or going into battle, bring plenty of excitement to bear. So on that note, Sanders of the River is at the very least, well worth a look.