In 1980, three men, activists of the ANC’s uMkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation), held up a bank in Silverton, Pretoria. This happened after a botched operation to sabotage an oil plant to destabilize Apartheid-era South Africa. The trio took 25 people hostage and demanded the release of Nelson Mandela. This story has been repurposed for a “based on a true story” action-thriller, Silverton Siege, that reimagines the situation and adds a touch of old-fashioned Hollywood contrivances.
In the Netflix adaptation of this story, by South African director Mandla Dube and screenwriter Sabelo Mgidi, the trio of armed activists is altered. They are now two men and a woman, Calvin (Thabo Rametsi), Aldo (Stefan Erasmus) and Terra (Noxolo Dlamini). Just as the events of the real story follow, the trio attempt to sabotage a power plant as a statement against Apartheid. In need of a new plan, they rush to a bank and start making demands. One of which is to free Nelson Mandela, just as the real activists demanded. However, while specific points are factual, Silverton Siege drives home the fact that this is not a play-by-play retelling of actual events. Dube is interested in leveling with his audience to teach them something and celebrate the spirit behind these activists.
The real story ends in tragedy, but Dube’s style of filmmaking here is to not dwell on the exact recounting of what happened. Instead, he creates characters out of these activists and imbues them with the energy of the anti-Apartheid movement. He isn’t necessarily condoning their actions, either, but instead providing context to a situation that even the actors in the movie had to Google. Many have contributed to the fight for human rights, particularly the fight against Apartheid in South Africa. But history is often not written by the voiceless. Only a few are prioritized because they cannot be ignored, but the rest are footnotes in history. Dube’s film essentially takes the story of Wilfred Madela, Humphrey Makhubu and Stephen Mafoko to craft a narrative about three young people reacting to an entity that has long dehumanized them, dismissed them, and killed them. The tale weaves the three characters' personal journeys and paints a picture of how they are tied to something larger than themselves.
Despite the great effort made into creating a politically relevant yet entertaining action-thriller, this movie does suffer from two fatal flaws. The first being the film is tied to a historical event when it could have been an original movie set in Aparathied South Africa. The second is in the use of Hollywood’s favorite trope, the sympathetic white cop, who destabilizes the story being told. Dube and Mgidi’s ambitions are so clearly realized, it is a shame that they too could not overcome the need to include a middle-aged white South African into their narrative. The characters have other means of communicating their thoughts and feelings, and it doesn't require the cop to build empathy that should already exist on its own in the narrative.
Overall, the film is a fine watch, albeit more protracted than it needs to be. Clocking in at an hour and 40 minutes doesn’t seem like much, but the pacing undermines what could have been a white-knuckle ride. The film is well-acted by its ensemble and they all manage to capture one's attention in order to root for their respective characters. Dube’s directing is perhaps the most distinctive element of the picture, embracing the techniques and conventions that make action-thrillers compelling works of art. There is a genuine feeling of being transported to this era; the tension in the air is palpable. Dube has a way of getting one's heart pumping with well-staged and well-executed scenes.
Silverton Siege is a film that many will deem important, and it is for the story it tells. Yes, some undercooked elements are thrust into the narrative to create a story within the central plot. There are inconsistencies with the characters and the usual tropes that induce severe eye-rolling. However, despite its flaws, it encourages a re-examination of Apartheid South Africa and a closer look at the tiny sparks that lit the flame known as the Free Nelson Mandela campaign and the overall cultural shift against Apartheid.
Silverton Siege premiered on Netflix on Wednesday, April 27. The film is 100 minutes long and is rated TV-MA.