Silverton Siege

Interesting movie where you actually cared for the outcomes of the characters! With a little finer editing it could've been a better movie but still a solid seven from me!

This film might have been better if it were made into a limited series instead of a film. Perhaps a 3 or 4 episode show. I say this because it needed more main character and situation development for those like myself who are not knowledgeable about the details of South Africa in this time period. Perhaps more time to dive into each character a little more? The film assumes the audience knows what is going on and perhaps this film was originally made for internal consumption in SA. But for a global audience, it makes our head scratch with some confusion.

The beginning of the film is pretty good. I liked the car chases and the fire fights. The acting was excellent. The actors that played Calvin and Terra were very good.

Once the trio reach the bank, the story slows down. So now the viewer has couch adrenaline and no way to dissipate it. The side characters were interesting, comical and cringy. I wonder if there really was an Afro-American boxing promotor with a suitcase with the letters USA written boldly on it like it was on the film or was that improvised? Probably doesn't matter in the overall context of the film.

It's not a bad film. It just needed some touch ups. It leaves global audiences with more questions than answers.

When I first saw the ratings of this movie - I was shocked to see why such a good movie has gotten bad ratings.

Why are the people upset ?

I instantly understood what could be the problem.

It was the fact that the movie is based on actual events.

Upon research, using materials published by the media. I found that the movie had presented a different story than that which actually took place.

But it is also often said that, history is written by victors.

I do not know of the actual events that transpired.

The movie is actually good, with some great acting by Thabo Rametsi and Arnold Vosloo.

Seeing that this movie is a touchy subject to some people because of the event and the groups involved, and the difference of opinion on what actually took place that day. It is unfortunate, that this movie will suffer because of the negative ratings that it will receive.

But at the same time, being an outsider. Seeing this movie unbiased, I understand both the sides.

Silverton Siege is a South African film partially based on a true story that raises questions about freedom, slavery and injustice. Composed of a script that takes certain creative licenses when narrating the story, but that is far beyond being a film about the search for freedom.

Silverton Siege chronicles the events that accidentally triggered the "Nelson Mandela Freedom Movement. An emotional film full of feelings of justice and liberation. With outstanding performances and a fairly acceptable editing, the film is permeated by constant tension and by the unbridled rhythm of a group of people who find themselves involved in a spiral where everything seems to be getting worse. An unmissable and indispensable story.

"It always seems impossible until it's done, Silverton Siege uses certain licenses to tell a story that deserves to be told"

It's not perfect. However, Silverton Siege does a much better job of demonstrating the political climate of the Apartheid regime than some international productions, like Escape from Pretoria (with Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame.)

As a South African production, the accents, South African languages, scenery and props are all very authentic. The acting, writing and direction could have been better, but everyone makes a good effort. I was engaged as a South African, but so was my wife who isn't South African.

That being said, it's not your average bank heist film. So keep that in mind.