The Nile
Based on the book To The Heart of the Nile by Pat Shipman
A feature film / full treatment available

A true story of love and adventure that changed the face of the British Empire

In Africa, in the late 19 century, Britain fights for supremacy on the dark continent. Explorers like David Livingstone are national heroes, battling through unmapped territories in service of their Queen and country. The latest challenge is a desperate race to find the source of the Nile thereby securing Britain's power by opening up a trade route with India. Against this backdrop of adventure comes a love story between two fiercely independent souls who overcome hardship, disease and mutiny on the continent and the prejudices of Victorian society at home to become Britain's most famous married explorers.

Orphaned, kidnapped and sold into a Turkish harem, beautiful and headstrong Florenz has been groomed to provide a sultan with an accomplished and obedient wife. A particular favourite at the harem she speaks three languages, is attentive to her academic and womanly studies and possesses a graceful beauty. With her pale skin and fine blond hair the harem owners expect her to sell for an excellent price. The problem is she does not and never will see herself as a slave.

More unexpected is the attendance at the slave auction of a curious European stranger. Sam Baker is a wealthy, restless English widower. Since the death of his wife England is no longer home. He has traveled the Empire in search of a purpose; a calling to which he can dedicate his youthful energy, his bravery and his strength.

From the moment Sam sees this defiant girl standing before the assembled bidders, he recognises a kindred spirit. He cannot watch her pass into a life of servitude and violence. Hardly knowing what he's doing he smuggles her away from the market and her new owner and together they escape to Cairo. Florenz is free but she is indebted to a stranger and dependent on his protection - does she simply have a new master? Sam has freed a beautiful young slave girl whose spirit intoxicated him but he does not want to be her master, what can he do now?

Far from the rigid constraints of Victorian codes, Sam and Florenz begin a partnership of equals. On their adventure to discover the source of the Nile they are confronted by tribal wars, slave raiders, disease and death. Through hardship and despair the only thing they can count on is each other. They discover that they share the same strength of will and passion for justice. They have found their missing half, but how can they overcome her independent spirit and his moral obligation and express their love?

Epic love and roaring adventure on a scale not seen since Titanic. "Out of Africa" meets "The English Patient"