If any of you have ever wondered about the history of my birth country (the former Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe) this film should help. My review is on here and this is the film's synopsis:
Along with The Winners and Jannie Totsiens, this is the finest South African production of the 1970’s – the fact based tale of a detachment of 34 volunteers under the command of Major Allan Wilson who were slaughtered on the banks of the Shangani River in 1893 by the forces of King Lobengula. Based on the novel A Time To Die by Robert L. Carey and a powerful script by Adrian Steed, this film (photographed on a farm in the actual environs of the battle by Lionel Friedberg) explores the recruitment of the volunteers and their heroic, yet ultimately almost suicidal mission against the soldiers of the Matabele king. A stunning film (referred to by a client of your writer as “the old Rhodesian film”) in all departments (especially the cinematography and music), but with a very, very sobering ending. This film is also an allegory for the Rhodesian war, with the fight put up by Allan Wilson and his outnumbered band of volunteers being likened to the struggle and spirit of the Rhodesian people in fighting off hordes of invaders ~ the spirit of which has largely and sadly dwindled away. With Brian O’Shaughnessy, Will Hutchins, Anthea Crosse, Adrian Steed, James White, Lance Lockhart Ross, George Jackson and Stuart Brown as Sir Leander Starr Jameson.
And the film is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T5pcpzY6mE&t=292s
