As someone who grew up in Kenya in the 50s and 60s, I can attest to the fact that this film captures the feel and the spirit of colonial Kenya better than any other film ever made. The characterizations are excellent, and the story is both entirely believable and captures the nature of colonialism without being judgemental. The little boy in the lead role does an excellent job - you can fully empathize with him - and the late Bob Peck is, as ever, superb in the role of the local head of the police. More explanation was needed of the attitude of his wife, it was difficult to really grasp the thinking of the Mau Mau guerillas, and the ending was perhaps a little predictable. Overall though, this was a terrific film, and instantly gets slotted into my Top Ten of all time.