The Story of Racheltjie De Beer (2019) User Reviews

Warning - sad film ahead

[Atlatl_Al · 3/10 · 24 July 2022]

If you, like I, appreciate movies mostly for their entertainment value, this film will take a severe toll on that value. It's a very sad film with an ending even sadder. Even though the film won awards for cinematography and production design, you simply need to be warned that this film may leave you upset with the outcome. I'm not telling you to avoid the movie. Just beware that the conclusion, as upsetting as it may be, in the words of the person who wrote the production notes, "bringing truth and poetry together," IMHO is neither truth nor poetry. A horrible truth well told in a poetic way is still a horrible story. Whether this is a true story written in 1920 by Eugene Marais about a South African family (debated), or one adapted from a true account of an American girl, Hazel Milner, that suffered a similar fate to our heroine, Racheltjie, or even that it is, "cherished by many South Africans," is immaterial. What matters to me, in this world that abounds with so many daily horrors, is that at the end of the day when I want to be uplifted for 90 minutes or so, I would rather choose a movie that is at least upbeat. What I object to the most is being blindsided by a story, which I was in this case. There should be a special category of film ratings, ES, for Extremely Sad. This film should carry such a rating.

Powerful impact!

[christarautenbach · 10/10 · 6 March 2022]

The story as a child had a huge impact on me. Seeing it happen in a movie even more. I judge a movie by the impact it has on me. The impact was devastating. I knew what was going to happen, but cried nonetheless. Those days there were not time or place for to morn the death of a family member and children had to grow up much faster than today. Fathers were not allowed to show feelings and poverty were everywhere. It was a hard time in the history of South Africa.

Worst ever!

[jacobschuiteman · 1/10 · 31 January 2021]

Simply do not watch this movie if you are a parent. The pathetic attempt at a wuthering heights type effect is lost on the obvious. The deaths are predictable, simplistic and designed for nothing more than shock value. It could have have been a good realistic historical romance, or survivalist movie but the the cinematic crew chose stupid simple thriller with the tragic. What a farce, what a joke. Sad movie. DO NOT WATCH THIS.

South African folklore

[rpienaar-1 · 26 September 2022]

The story of Racheltjie De Beer is deeply rooted in South African culture and part of the folklore. Although the historical accuracy can be debated, many consider the story to be a true event. Many children would have grown up with the story of the bravery of Rachellt De Beer.

It is a sad story and the movie tries to capture and portray the emotion and sacrifice of the young girl saving her brother The movie introduces the viewer to some of the culture of the early settlers of Southern Africa, from which South Africa will eventually arise. South Africa consists of many cultures and traditions, and this story is part of the Afrikaans and former Dutch settler history.