Watch Sanders of the River (1935) Free Online

Release Date: 1935

Cast: Leslie Banks, Paul Robeson

Categories: Movies, Black-And-White, Adventure, Drama Film, British Empire Film

Sanders of the River is a 1935 film directed by Zoltán Korda, based on the stories of Edgar Wallace. It was later spoofed in the 1938 Will Hay film Old Bones of the River, which also featured the characters of Commissioner Sanders, Captain Hamilton and Bosambo seen in this film, but played by different actors. The story describes how a British colonial District Officer in 1930's Nigeria tries to rule his province fairly. He struggles against gun-runners and slavers and enlists the support of a native chieftain. The African-American entertainer and athlete, Paul Robeson accepted the role... MORE

Sanders of the River is a 1935 film directed by Zoltán Korda, based on the stories of Edgar Wallace. It was later spoofed in the 1938 Will Hay film Old Bones of the River, which also featured the characters of Commissioner Sanders, Captain Hamilton and Bosambo seen in this film, but played by different actors. The story describes how a British colonial District Officer in 1930's Nigeria tries to rule his province fairly. He struggles against gun-runners and slavers and enlists the support of a native chieftain. The African-American entertainer and athlete, Paul Robeson accepted the role of Bosambo during a time when he was living in London and was engaged in deep explorations of the roots of African culture through studies of language and music. He felt that if he could portray the African leader, Bosambo, with cultural accuracy and dignity, he could help audiences—especially Black audiences—to understand and respect the roots of Black culture. The filmmakers even took an unusual step towards authenticity by sending a film crew on a four-month voyage into remote areas of Africa to record traditional African dances and ceremonies. These would be interwoven with the studio LESS