Trailer

White Mischief (1987)

R   |    |  Crime, Drama, Mystery

White Mischief (1987) Poster

In 1940s Kenya, a married couple join other affluent British expatriates in a lifestyle of recklessness and excess, but soon find themselves in a troubling situation.

6.3/10
2,576
Rate
Critic Reviews

Videos

Photos

  • Greta Scacchi and Catherine Neilson in White Mischief (1987)
  • Alan Dobie in White Mischief (1987)
  • John Hurt and Greta Scacchi in White Mischief (1987)
  • Greta Scacchi in White Mischief (1987)
  • Greta Scacchi and Charles Dance in White Mischief (1987)
  • Alan Dobie in White Mischief (1987)

See all photos

Get More From IMDb

For an enhanced browsing experience, get the IMDb app on your smartphone or tablet.

Get the IMDb app
Facebook
Twitter
E-mail

Awards

Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards.

Reviews & Commentary

Add a Review

User Reviews
14 January 2011 | mjneu59
5
| idle hands in the British empire
This cynical drama set in pre-WWII colonial Kenya (where the lifestyles of the rich and decadent were enhanced by casual drug abuse and infidelity) presents a glossy but unfocused account of a May-December marriage of convenience, brought to a tragic end after one too many indiscreet liaisons between frustrated young wife Greta Scacchi and local Casanova Charles Dance. The film is based on a true story, widely reported at the time (in England, at least), and like its two lovers is cool and dispassionate and pleasant to look at. But the script makes the fatal mistake of sanitizing the illicit affair with feelings of true love, and because all the sex is conducted with such impeccable protocol the effect is more polite than shocking. Director and co-writer Michael Radford's script is full of barbed and witty dialogue, but re-writes history for a dramatically tidy (and quite bloody) resolution.

Critic Reviews

Did You Know?

Trivia

The official title of Josslyn Hay (Charles Dance) was the Earl of Erroll, specifically, the 22nd Earl of Erroll, his full name also being Josslyn Victor Hay.

Quotes

Lizzie: Gilbert, Jock's made a wager with Diana. He says that if you say more than two words, he'll buy her a fur coat.
Gilbert Colvile: Really?

Goofs

The courtroom scenes include counsel shouting "Objection!" and the Judge replying "Sustained" or "Overruled" and occasionally ordering things "stricken from the record". These terms are routine in courts in the United States but are never heard in courts based on English jurisprudence, as was the case in colonial Kenya in 1941.

Alternate Versions

On the home video VHS version of the film, a jazzy, swing style period song is substituted over the End Credits. In the original theatrical release, "The Alphabet Song" sung by Sarah Miles was used. On the UK DVD from Sony CDR11476, The Alphabet Song is back, along with the score by George Fenton.

Soundtracks

Begin the Beguine
Words and Music by Cole Porter
Arranged by John Warren

Storyline

Plot Summary

Genres

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

Details

Release Date:

6 May 1988

Language

English

Country of Origin

UK, Kenya

Filming Locations

Lord Errol Restaurant, Nairobi, Kenya

Box Office

Budget:

$5,300,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$24,538 24 April 1988

Gross USA:

$3,107,551

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,107,551

Contribute to this page

Getting Started | Contributor Zone  »

3 Time Travel Movies You May Have Missed

We've curated a list of lesser-known films to help you explore the space-time continuum from the comfort of your couch.

Get some picks

Around The Web

 | 

Powered by ZergNet

More To Explore

Search on Amazon.com