Invasion 1897 characters, plots, quotes and lessons

Invasion 1897

REVIEW TYPE

Film/ movie

REVIEW

The British invaded the Benin Kingdom in 1897 on the pretext of engaging in trade activities with its people. Failure to keep the treaty signed by both sides led to a war which saw thousands of Benin people killed. And the end of the great king Oba Ovonramwen.

Plot and characters

The movie starts with a modern plot set up in the United Kingdom where an African student after talks with his history teacher decides to steal back the bronze statues locked away in a secure museum. Unfortunately he is apprehended and taken to court. He insist he is not guilty and in his defence starts a narration that leads to the invasion saga.

Oba Ovonramwen played by Mike Omoregbee is a great and fearful king of the Benin Kingdom. He is depicted as hard hearted and sometimes a rush king. His chiefs are afraid to speak out against him and he shows little efforts in battle preparation.

And there is Obeseki, the Kings best friend. Despite showing him favour he still longs to have more authority than the king. And see his chance when the king puts him in charge of trade talks with the British. Instead of putting the interest of his people first, he rather bargains for authority over his king under the protection of the British.

Evbakhavbokum, the king’s first daughter shows great courage and obedience, first when she agrees to sacrifice herself as a present so her father may use her to win the heart of his chiefs. And when during the war, she goes to plead on behalf of her people through Obeseki, the man who has the ear of the British.

The war is sort of one sided with the British armed with guns and grenade whilst the warriors of Benin have only arrows and machetes to fight. The palace was looted and treasures including the bronze statues (the history of the people) were taken away. The war ends with the capture of the Oba and his exile to Calabar.

This movie is better set as a stage play, with its exaggerated show of strength and grandiose language. The costumes looked very unreal. The beheadings and gruesome scenes looked cartoonish.

From the beginning of the movie we are made to understand that the Oba and his chiefs do not understand or speak English but there is no translator when they meet with the British. They have no difficulty understanding each other. Some characters also seem to have forgotten their lines whilst others talk as if they were reading their lines on stage. Also for a huge kingdom as Benin, the crowds were quite scanty during ceremonies and even the warriors who went to war were few.

Lessons

This historical movie has many lessons embedded in it. When Oba Ovonramwen quotes, “the ditch that swallows the elephant will have no room for another animal” drives home the need to be strategic in our activities. Paying attention to the less important things lets us forget the important ones.

The bulk of the British soldiers were black men from neighbouring kingdoms. Killing their own people. How was this? This can be equated to how Africans have been brain washed by the Whites. This still persists today, where Africans are comfortable dealing with whites then their fellow Africans.

The events that led to the war suggested the British dictating the prices of commodities that the people have been trading in since their arrival. We are still dictated to when it comes to our commodities on the international market.

Invasion 1897 portrays a huge vice in our African society. The deep rooted believe in superstition could be said to have contributed to the downfall of the empire. After several warning signs, the king decides to rely on the gods rather than strategize and plan ahead. This he verbalises by saying, “I’m spirit, I’m spirit. Spirits don’t need protection”. This action causes him his empire and endangers his people. This proves his statement, “whatever the wood insect gathers, it carries on its head”, he did indeed carry the consequences of his inactions and actions.

RATING

Despite the flaws in the execution of the movie. The intent is very much appreciated. It provides an opportunity for the posterity of the African history.

I would rate this movie 6/10 and applauded the filmmaker for his bold step in trying to document the history of the people of Benin.

CREATED BY

Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun