Diagonaldi Very well executed

TrueJoshNight Truly Dreadful Film

Livestonth I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

Kamila Bell This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

William I've seen a few films from this era focused on the topic. Few of those had the impact of this film. As well, I feel it has relevance today.The overall theme, is how do 'normal' people 'wake-up' and consider radical or revolutionary action? Where do (so called) home-grown radicals come from? If we assume babies are born more-or-less innocent(??) What happens? More to the point, in the context of this particular film; why does NOT happen? We play football, we have some drinks, dance at a wedding, etc. Life is good. And sometimes; something-happens.There's a huge ethical question too... When is it OK to be bad, to do good? Is it 'ok(??)' to be 'evil' and feel you are a hero!? You my say, 'No...'; sometimes it will depend. Sometimes history is the decision maker.Watch the movie ... Pray you don't need to make these choices.

Tim Johnson Diane and I watched this great film last night on CD after unfortunately missing it at the movies when it first appeared some years ago. We both enjoyed it hugely not only as a skilfully made movie but also as movie about a cinematically untouched period of contemporary history. Director Noyce is extremely apt at making movies about untouched aspects of history and because they are untouched it is probable that they are too politically sensitive or culturally sensitive to be examined. Catch a Fire is one such subject but I believe that he handled the material extremely well and with great sensitivity. After watching the film the viewer is left with a deep feeling of just what the struggle for an independent African South Africa entailed. People that were alive during that great struggle know that there was a struggle between Africans for control of the revolution that was massively violent. We must await another film that will perhaps shine a light on that dire subject.I have already said that Noyce directed the movie superbly; the camera shots and the editing brought a complicated story spread over a reasonable amount of time attest to his film vision and his ability to deliver the project so competently. The African actors rose to the occasion and delivered a mightily believable film. They were able to move through political, family emotions and revolutionary aspects of the story admirably well.

ma-cortes The picture shows life in Apartheid-era South Africa, it deals about the real story of Patrick Chamusso(Derek Luke), an oil refinery foreman, soccer coach and good father of family . He's married to Precious(Bonnie Henna) and with children. The president Botha's government rules in iron hand of the supremacist white minority over the black population in an oppressive system. When happen an explosion in the refinery Patrick is arrested by police colonel Nic Vos(Tim Robbins).The secretive torture and sadism that follows in custody leads to his changing ideals. His wife is also arrested and then truly starts to watch the atrocities, forced to become freedom fighter and then he goes into action. Rebellion against the repressive government breaks out his mind. He's attempting to change his world for the better but at the expense of using terrorist means. Then he goes to Mozambique where is trained by the local terrorist guerrilla and he joins the ANC, African National Congress.This is an exciting and thrilling movie based on real events.This story about apartheid is very compelling made and deserving a fine treatment with poignant moments.It's completely convincing and makes a moving and powerful statement about the evil of the racism. Superb cast with fine all round performances; particularly from Derek Luke, he does a very good job, he's surprisingly good in the role of dad turned terrorist, and excellent Tim Robbins as sadistic torturer.The remainder of the casting was also competent enough and did splendid acting.Evocative cinematography by Garry Phillips and Ron Fortunato. Adequate musical score with African sounds by Philip Miller . The motion picture is professionally directed by Phillip Noyce. Another films about ¨Apartheid¨ theme are the following: ¨ Cry the beloved country¨with Sidney Poitier; ¨The power of one¨ with Armin Mueller Stall and Steven Dorff;¨A world apart¨by Chris Menges with Barbara Hershey and Jodhi May; ¨A white dry season¨with Marlon Brando; ¨Cry Freedom¨ by Richard Attemborough with Denzel Washington and Kevin Kline; and the biographies, as ¨Mandela¨ with Danny Glover and Alfre Woodward as Winnie and ¨Mandela and DeKlerk¨, among others.

Spaceygirl A powerful story well told in skillful hands. Philip Noyce, of Rabbitproof Fence fame, once again takes a story of oppression and just tells the story, without apportioning blame or taking sides. The script is marvellous and the acting uniformly good. Tim Robbins and Derek Lucas both affecting near-flawless South African accents, take the male leads and put in outstanding roles. Tim Robbins as the Afrikaner cop is a character difficult to understand, at one point he takes his prisoner home for Sunday dinner with his family and in another scene oversees the beating-up and torture of innocent people. Derek Lucas is equally good as a man who's only interest lies with his family and job before being arrested and ultimately backed into a course of action that he could not have foreseen. Michelle Botes and Bonnie Mbuli are both excellent South African actresses who play the respective wives, Bonnie Mbuli in particular putting in a very affecting role as the wife who stands by helplessly as her husband spirals into a new life which does not include her or her children. H