White Mischief

Order the book by James Fox from Amazon.co.uk. [Added on July 13, 2011: The movie was banned in the UK for many years. Order the DVD from Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com].

The movie White Mischief begins with lines introducing the movie-goers to the situation of November 1940. At the peak of the Blitz. Every night wave after wave of Nazi bombers brought death and destruction. But the British people stood firm, determined to hold out at any cost. In Contrast to this heroic introduction, the first images of White Mischief are supposed to show the decadence of the British upper class. Fighter aircraft fly over the roof of a manor house. Lord Henry “Jock” Broughton (Joss Ackland) walks down the stairs leading to his garden. He tells his tax advisor that he wants to sell the estate and move to Africa. His consultant advises him against it since landed property is the best investment in war times. The elderly Lord Broughton replies: And if we lose the war, have you ever thought about that? Then, beautiful and young Diana (Greta Scacchi) approaches them riding a horse.

The same evening, Diana tells her friend Hugh (Hugh Grant) that she loves elderly men because they have more money. Later, in an underground shelter she proposes a toast to the lions, tigers and rich men to be encountered in Africa (as Lord Broughton’s wife). Hugh replies that there are no tigers but “ostriches, baboons and hyenas” – more than a “hint” by director Michael Radford towards the people Diana is about to encounter in Kenya. She also drinks to her – future – honesty (wishful thinking?).

With a few words and scenes, Michael Radford explains the story’s context, introduces the protagonists and their motivations. The following scenes taking place in Kenya are in the same style. British are playing polo in 1940 – the year Europe is ravaged by war. Again, the decadence of the upper class – and especially of the so-called Happy Valley Clique which is famous for its erotic games – is highlighted.

Jock says he came to Kenya because there he can better serve England. Of course, in reality, he escapes from war and responsibility. He wants to set up a farm in order to supply the British army – a “civic enterprise” or a money-making machine. A drought will later put an end to these dreams which were an illusion from the beginning since the climate is inappropriate for such an enterprise.

Jock will later become bankrupt but before that happens, his wife (a convincing Greta Scacchi) has a love affair with the British officer Errol (Charles Dance in one of the best roles of his career). Errol is the irresistible playboy of the Happy Valley Clique. Diana is no exception and falls under his charm. But in fact both are in love and they do not hide it. Jock gets an anonymous message, probably from a former lover of Errol: “There’s no fool like an old fool”. By the way, already in the first scenes which take place in Kenya, Diana responds to the indiscreet question of a friend (Geraldine Chaplin) by saying that she only has sex with Jock from time to time.

In a talk with his “friend” Erroll, Jock begs him to end the affair. Errol reminds Jock of himself as a young man. The officer, with an arrogant expression in his face, answers: “Really?” First, Jock thinks about moving to Ceylon with Diana but then, he seems to put up with the situation and ready to set Diana free.

The story is based on the novel White Mischief by James Fox whose book, in turn, relies on true facts. On January 24, 1941, an officer (Errol in the film) was found shot in Kenya. This fait divers created a scandal that was discussed in all the Empire’s newspapers. The first half of White Mischief is about the affair between Diana and Errol as well as about the decadence of the British elite. The second part begins with Errol’s murder, its trial and the changes in the relationship between Jock and Diana.

The film employs first class actors even in minor roles, e.g. John Hurt as Robert Colville, a self-neglected outsider living with indigenous people who, despite these facts, is part of the Happy Valley Clique. After the murder of Errol, he cares about Diana who first turns – in disgust – the unattractive man away. The devastating description of this very special British upper class in Kenya and its erotic games in the midst of World War II may disturb some viewers – it is not a film for politically and morally correct people. For my part, I love the film since I first saw it at its premiere in the presence of Michael Radford (but I cannot remember what the questions and answers between the director and public following the screening were all about).

White Mischief. Order the book by James Fox from Amazon.co.uk. German title: Die letzten Tage in Kenya). [Added on July 13, 2011: The movie was banned in the UK for many years. Order the DVD from Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com].

Director Michael Radford has made very different films in his career: White Mischief(1987), Il Postino (1994), B. Monkey (1999).

Actress Greta Scacchi was born in 1960 as the daughter of an English dancer and an Italian painter (not verified information). She grew up in England and Australia. Among her films are: Heat and Dust (1982), Good Morning Babylon (1986), The Killing Beach(1991), The Player (1992), Schrei in die Vergangenheit (1994), Jefferson in Paris (1995), Emma (1996), The Red Violin (1998).

Actor Charles Dance was born in Plymouth, England, in 1946. Among his films are: Auf der Suche nach dem goldenen Kind (1986), Die vergessene Insel (1987), Mord unter südlicher Sonne (1988), The Phantom of the Opera (1990), Alien 3 (1991), The Last Action Hero (1993), Teufel im Paradies (1994), Im Auge des Hurricans (1995), Space Truckers (1996).