Shamwari (1982) User Reviews

Defiant Ones

[sol- · 5/10 · 8 December 2017]

Chained together, a racist Caucasian man and a native African man gradually learn to get on after fleeing a crashed prison van in this emotionally charged drama that could be considered Zimbabwe's answer to 'The Defiant Ones'. As per 'The Defiant Ones', it is a predictable tale of overcoming racial prejudice, though some unusual subplots unexpectedly (and refreshingly) crop up. The Causasian prisoner is charged with murder, but it was a revenge killing for his wife and child's brutal slaying by a couple of African men, hence all the vitriol and hatred. The African prisoner, as it so happens, actually knows who killed his family and the pair team up as they try to exact their own form of justice. Not quite as successful as this subplot is the introduction of a female character who tags along the pair for reasons unknown, bringing a lot of romantic tension and little else. The film has some pacing issues too with a long time before they flee, and the decision to portray the African prisoner as far more rationale than the Caucasian one, just wanting "to be treated like a human being" makes this less dynamic than it might have been had both men been equally prejudiced. Whatever the case, the bond between the pair feels very real by the end of the movie and a scene near the end where the African man utters the title phrase (meaning "my friend") really lingers in the mind.

Underrated film

[Poveka-Saidulu · 7/10 · 17 October 2006]

This film starts out little slow then picks up pace as it come along. There is a good storyline in this film and great effort from the two main stars Ian Yule and Ken Gampu. Sometimes Decalogue is a little murky and there is a little stretching in some of the scenes. But for most part this is an outstanding film and will appeal to those who have an interest in Africa and the racial problems that occur there. This is about two convicts on the run , one black and one white. There is the obvious racial hatred between them and to survive and keep steps ahead they must overcome this hate.

Ian Yule is a convincing strong actor as he is a former soldier and stunt man. He also has residence in South Africa. Ken Gampu needs no introduction. he was Africa's finest. A former physical instructor and policeman standing at 6.2 with his shaven head he cut a fantastic figure. And he was a superb actor. Both carry off their role so well in this film. The direction is good but could have been little better I feel. If only the direction was a little more tight I could push this upwards to a 10.