Watch The Mark of the Hawk

The Mark of the Hawk is a 1957 drama film starring Eartha Kitt, Sidney Poitier, and Juano Hernandez. The film is set in an imaginary African country called "Kungara" which is fighting for independence from its colonial rulers. It was directed by Michael Audley and produced by Sol C. Siegel. The film begins with the arrival of a young American journalist named Dave (played by Sidney Poitier) in Kungara. Dave meets an African nationalist leader named Obam (played by Juano Hernandez) who is fighting for independence from the colonial rulers. Obam had been imprisoned for his activities, but had recently been released. The people of Kungara look up to Obam as their leader and he commands great respect from them.

Dave is initially skeptical of Obam's cause and thinks that he is just another rabble-rouser. However, as he spends more time with Obam and the people of Kungara, he begins to see things from their perspective. Dave also meets a beautiful woman named Renee (played by Eartha Kitt) who is in love with Obam.

As Dave becomes more involved in Obam's cause, he is arrested by the colonial authorities and subjected to torture. During his interrogation, Dave discovers that the colonial authorities are using brutal tactics to suppress the nationalist movement. Dave manages to escape and joins Obam and his followers in their struggle for independence.

The film is a powerful indictment of colonialism and the injustices it perpetuated. It also explores themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice. The characters in the film are well-developed and the performances by Kitt, Poitier, and Hernandez are outstanding.

One of the standout scenes in the film is a powerful speech by Obam where he explains why the people of Kungara are fighting for independence. Hernandez delivers the speech with great passion and conviction, and it is a stirring portrayal of a man who is willing to sacrifice everything for the freedom of his people.

Another memorable scene in the film is a confrontation between Dave and a white colonial official named Craig. Craig is a racist who believes that the African people are inferior, and he is contemptuous of Dave for sympathizing with the African nationalists. The scene is a powerful indictment of racism and prejudice, and Poitier's performance is excellent.

The Mark of the Hawk is a significant film in the history of African American cinema. It was one of the first American films to portray African people as heroes rather than as savages or subservient figures. The film also highlighted the struggle for independence in Africa at a time when many African nations were still under colonial rule.

Overall, The Mark of the Hawk is a powerful and thought-provoking film that still resonates today. It is a reminder that the fight for justice and freedom is ongoing, and that there are still many people in the world who are oppressed and struggling to be free.

The Mark of the Hawk is a 1958 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.