The years in which South Africa was under the Apartheid rule are viewed in this film of 1975 directed by Ralph Nelson. We watched it recently on what appears to be a remastered DVD that has a great look, something that other films from that era have not kept.
The story involves a man, Shack Twala, that has served ten years in Robben Island, where most political prisoners were sent, for being a voice that was a threat for the white ruling class. Shack Twala's lawyer, Rina Van Niekirk, makes a case for the violation of human rights being taken away from him, and surprisingly enough, the prisoner is set free. Happiness for his release is only short lived. As Rina, her boyfriend, Jim Keogh, and Twala go downtown, their car is stopped and the police apprehend the just released man again.
There were forces in higher places that did not take lightly the fact that a black man would get away, because they understood that Twala would naturally try to go North to the friendly Bostwana, to get away from his tormentors. Major Horn, one of the most cruel men in the police force, follows Keogh and Twala as they move up North, a chase that will bring them to a final battle in which justice will prevail.
Not having seen this film, we were interesting in watching the duo formed by Sidney Poitier and Michael Caine, two excellent actors in an action film that is never dull. Mr. Poitier has a steamy scene with the gorgeous Persis Khambatta in a closet, as he is being sought by the police. Saeed Jaffrey offers some comic relief with his dentist Mukerjee. Nicol Williamson plays Major Horn.
The film, for obvious reasons, could not have been shot in South Africa, so Kenya was used for the exterior photography by John Coquillon, who gets the beauty, and barrenness of the country it tries to stand for.
The story involves a man, Shack Twala, that has served ten years in Robben Island, where most political prisoners were sent, for being a voice that was a threat for the white ruling class. Shack Twala's lawyer, Rina Van Niekirk, makes a case for the violation of human rights being taken away from him, and surprisingly enough, the prisoner is set free. Happiness for his release is only short lived. As Rina, her boyfriend, Jim Keogh, and Twala go downtown, their car is stopped and the police apprehend the just released man again.
There were forces in higher places that did not take lightly the fact that a black man would get away, because they understood that Twala would naturally try to go North to the friendly Bostwana, to get away from his tormentors. Major Horn, one of the most cruel men in the police force, follows Keogh and Twala as they move up North, a chase that will bring them to a final battle in which justice will prevail.
Not having seen this film, we were interesting in watching the duo formed by Sidney Poitier and Michael Caine, two excellent actors in an action film that is never dull. Mr. Poitier has a steamy scene with the gorgeous Persis Khambatta in a closet, as he is being sought by the police. Saeed Jaffrey offers some comic relief with his dentist Mukerjee. Nicol Williamson plays Major Horn.
The film, for obvious reasons, could not have been shot in South Africa, so Kenya was used for the exterior photography by John Coquillon, who gets the beauty, and barrenness of the country it tries to stand for.