The Rutanga Tapes

Despite numerous negative reviews I rather liked this low budget South African thriller, which involves a sinister conspiracy involving the Libyans, a missing audio cassette, and a manhunt for the thief. It's packed full of shoot-em-up moments which I always enjoy, and it has in its cast Arnold Vosloo as another enjoyable villain. Plus there's a helpful bushman, a looklike of N!xau, so overall it's very hard to dislike.

The South African landscapes are by far the most interesting feature of "The Rutanga Tapes", also known as "Killer Instinct." The story of a chemical weapons plant hidden in the African jungle, posing as a fertilizer factory, is both murky and confusing. Not until three quarters of the movie has run do things somewhat crystalize after David Dukes carefully explains to Susan Anspach what is going on. Acting by anyone not named Dukes is simply awful. In fact the Bushman, who speaks in his own language shows better acting skills than everyone else. Arnold Vosloo is about as believable as an Arab as he would be as Santa Claus. Susan Anspach gives a performance that screams she would rather be anywhere else than in the oppressive African desert. Unless you are completely enamored with one of the actors, this is one to skip. MERK