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The Power Of One (1992)
Released By: Warner Home Video   Rating: PG-13   In Theaters: N/A
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Studio: Warner Home Video
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: John G. Avildsen
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: N/A
Cast: Armin Mueller-Stahl, Guy Witcher, John Gielgud, Morgan Freeman, Simon Fenton, Stephen Dorff
Published ID: 3626
UPC: 085391241126,
Plot: John G. Avildsen, director of Rocky and The Karate Kid, adapts Bryce Courtenay's compassionate novel about the coming of age of a white anti-apartheid activist during the years of World War II in South Africa. Avildsen cumbersomely grafts Courtenay's tale of fighting apartheid onto a Hollywood-style fight-for-the-championship bout. Seven-year-old P.K. (Guy Witcher) is a white South African raised on his family's farm by his Zulu nanny. When his mother takes ill, he is sent away to an Afrikaner boarding school, where he is picked on and nearly killed by the school bully during a pep rally for Hitler. P.K. survives and is sent to live with his grandfather. He befriends Doc (Armin Mueller-Stahl), a jailed German musician, and a black inmate (Morgan Freeman), who teaches P.K. how to use his fists for some quick boxing moves. At 12, P.K. (now played by Simon Fenton), witnesses black inmates being cruelly humiliated by their racist white jailers. Taking note of P.K.'s fluidity for languages, his black mentor spreads the word that P.K. is the incarnation of the mythic Rain Maker, a messianic liberator who is destined to unite all the African tribes. By the time he's 18 years old, P.K. (now played by Stephen Dorff) is becoming the Great White Hope for the black Africans, boxing his way into their hearts and minds. He joins up with an old boxing foe (Alois Moyo), who is now a township activist, and takes up the apartheid struggle. But things get confusing when P.K. falls in love with the daughter (Fay Masterson) of an apartheid leader. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
The Power of One
Added 9/29/2009


A very good adaptation of the events that transpired in South Africa. Many similarities could be made for the modern day. Excellent acting by all involved.I always love Morgan Freeman as he adds so much depth to a film

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Very Disappointing
Added 8/10/2009

If you've not read the book, you'll find this movie to be a disjoint, contrived, poorly acted and moralistic B movie. If you've read the book, you'll wish you never saw the movie, if you even recognize the two as related.

It's amazing that a director can illicit mediocre performances from Morgan Freeman and John Gielgud. Gielgud is actually barely in the movie despite being listed third on the cover. Yet the three scenes he is in are awkward, out of context, and included only to introduce banal platitudes that weren't even in the original story. The little guy that plays young PeeKay is cute and easily likable, but he has two facial expressions, and the happy one is clearly faked. The "actor" playing the older PeeKay seems straight out of the local high school musical, as believable as a plastic plant.

The most compelling aspects of the novel, the characters and the relationships, were entirely missing from the screenplay. Doc, who aside from PeeKay is the novel's most unique and interesting character, who imbued the story with much of its magic, and whose intimate and symbiotic relationship with PeeKay was a central theme of the novel, is reduced to a tutor who is functional rather than insightful, and who simply elects to leave the story for no reason other than selfish convenience. Their deep relationship, their magical find, and the profound effect Doc's death has on PeeKay weren't even in the screenplay! Peekay, himself, was portrayed as arrogant, moralistic and not especially brilliant, all exactly contrary to the novel. Morrie ended up a virtually silent side-kick.

In short, the movie is a hack and boring, nothing like the powerful and moving novel. I often wonder how directors producing such junk can even show up for the premier. There's a reason why this movie costs next to nothing. I'm sorry I paid even that.

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
A Transpersonal Message
Added 6/3/2009

This is a wonderful film, as was the book with the same title. In addition to the well focused storyline of fighting apartheid in South Africa there is also a well developed story of mans relationship with nature and the environment. A transpersonal relationship to a greater source of knowledge if one just opens ones eyes. A film of beauty with many lessons.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Delayed but decent
Added 3/26/2009

The product was in great condition and exactly as described. However, it took 1 week OVER the expected time to arrive, making the delivery time well over a month to arrive. I would not order with them again as I can't afford to not know when or if the product will arrive. Sorry!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
All time favorite movie!
Added 2/20/2009

This is by far my all time favorite movie. Such an amazing message combined with a sense of history. The music is amazing. I have it on VHS and was so glad to find it on DVD. Morgan Freeman is, as always, amazing as is the entire cast. If you have anyone in your life who could use a positive message of strength and courage in the face of great loss and challenges, this is the movie to watch. It has the power to raise you up.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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