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The Power of One (1991)
Director: John G Avildsen
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
A glossy adaptation of Bryce Courtenay's novel, set in '30s South Africa, where orphaned PK (latterly played by Dorff) experiences both the privileges and privations of his strife-ridden society. Set upon in boarding-school because he is the only English boy among Afrikaners, he falls back on the friendship of kindly German composer/botanist Doc (Müller-Stahl). But the outbreak of war brings further conflict: the British imprison Doc, and PK's visits introduce him to the brutality inflicted on black prisoners. It's there that proud, resourceful Geel Piet (Freeman) takes the boy in hand, teaching him to box and transforming him into a champion. Avildsen draws good performances from the three actors who play PK, as well as from the ever-reliable Freeman and Müller-Stahl, but subtlety is abandoned when he focuses on the ring and teen romance. The climax is a slugging match between PK and a former school bully which would make Rocky proud.Author: CM
User reviews of this film
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- lollipop said...
- Posted on Oct 12 2009 17:41 This movie is excellent! I don't think people should compare it to the book ebcuase they are completly different. Again a very good movie! A must watch!!!!
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- Liam said...
- Posted on Aug 31 2008 22:29 as a movie it was alright. but as an adaption to the book it was crap. the relationship between p.k. and doc in the book and the effect it had on p.k. was not shown. the character marie was added for no reason. Hoppie Groenewald (the coach at the end) was acctually the reason p.k. got into boxing. read the book much better
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- Moana said...
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Posted on May 27 2008 02:24
it was good movie! watchd it at school for Health!!
had to talk about discrimination! - Report as inappropriate
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- Reb Stone said...
- Posted on Mar 14 2008 11:35 One of the first emotionally tense and moving films I saw. A great cast and and script and an eye opening story, not to mention the Hot factor (stephen Dorff) also my first crush!
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- Snarkles said...
- Posted on Jan 22 2008 08:38 oh shit that nigga got owned
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- Daniel Hines said...
- Posted on Sep 07 2007 23:26 what a movie. All i can say is that i watched this in school and not only was i changed, i was given a different perspective on these people and what they went through. Well done to the cast and director on a wonderful display of courage and prejudice.
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Cast & crew
Director: John G Avildsen
Producer: Arnon Milchan, Steve Ruether
Cast: Stephen Dorff, Armin Müller-Stahl, Morgan Freeman, John Gielgud, Fay Masterson, Clive Russell, Robbie Bulloch, Alois Moyo, Marius Weyers full cast
Duration: 127 mins
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