The Rear Column
“The slow descent into madness of a group of British Army officers abandoned in the Congo.”
Synopsis
Set in the jungle of the Congo Free State in 1887–88, the story begins after explorer Henry Morton Stanley, has gone to relieve Emin Pasha, governor of Equatoria, from a siege by Mahdist forces. He leaves behind him a 'rear column' with supplies at the Yambuya camp on the Aruwimi River and instructs them to wait until the Arab slave trader, Tippu Tib, has brought 600 more porters before following on to Equatoria. The play follows the story of the men left waiting in the camp. The officers depicted in the play are based on historical figures.
Top Cast
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Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Harold Pinter
- Screenplay & Story
- Simon Gray
- Original Title
- The Rear Column
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 3h 27m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Harold Pinter
Simon Gray
Louis Marks
Department Leadership Roster
Harold Pinter
Director
Simon Gray
Writer
Louis Marks
Producer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Rear Column.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Rear Column
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Rear Column about?
Set in the jungle of the Congo Free State in 1887–88, the story begins after explorer Henry Morton Stanley, has gone to relieve Emin Pasha, governor of Equatoria, from a siege by Mahdist forces. He leaves behind him a 'rear column' with supplies at the Yambuya camp on the Aruwimi River and instructs them to wait until the Arab slave trader, Tippu Tib, has brought 600 more porters before following on to Equatoria. The play follows the story of the men left waiting in the camp. The officers depicted in the play are based on historical figures.
Who directed The Rear Column?
The Rear Column was directed by Harold Pinter.
Who stars in The Rear Column?
The principal cast of The Rear Column includes John Horton, Michael Forrest, Alrick Riley, Sylvester Williams, Simon Ward.
When was The Rear Column released and how long is it?
The Rear Column was released in 1980 with a total runtime of 3h 27m.