Silverton Siege (2022) Movie Review

Silverton Siege is a film based on a fascinating true story that takes place in South Africa in January 1980. The movie follows three freedom fighters who are part of an African liberation movement that is set on ending the apartheid laws that were then turning the country into a state of white nationalists. The three outlaws - Calvin, Aldo, and Terra - are on the run from a botched mission to sabotage a string of petrol depots outside Watloo. Betrayed by someone on the inside, they find themselves in a desperate chase through the streets of Silverton after police captain Langerman sets his trap. The film tells a gripping story that combines the elements of an old-fashioned heist movie with a political edge.

Calvin, the group's leader, Aldo, and Terra, are forced to take refuge in a branch of the national bank, holding all the staff and customers hostage while Langerman assembles the SWAT teams outside. It's a tense standoff, with the three freedom fighters trying to outsmart the police captain and secure their freedom. With no other options left, Calvin decides to make his one demand count: he'll release everyone safely and hand himself in if the country frees Nelson Mandela.

At the time of the siege, Nelson Mandela was still locked up on Robben Island for his own anti-apartheid protests, and the real six-hour Silverton siege helped fuel a political movement throughout the world. It’s a powerful moment in history, and the film has the potential to turn a heist movie into something more meaningful, but the director, Mandla Dube, takes as few risks as possible. Instead, Silverton Siege plays out like a bog-standard bank robbery movie, hitting every cliché right on the nose and skating over the surface of every big issue it finds.

The film's three leads - Rametsi, Erasmus, and Dlamini - give great performances, with Rametsi in particular standing out. However, the rest of the acting is awkwardly ropey, not helped by a button-mashing script that jumps from signpost to signpost. The film would have benefited from a smarter writer behind the words. Perhaps Silverton Siege would have worked better as a stage play, where the story could be explored in greater depth.

Dube does a decent job with the action in the film's explosive bookends. The film starts with a thrilling city chase and ends with a tense final standoff. However, most of the film's impact comes from the true story itself, with the film squandering every opportunity it has to make an impact. Silverton Siege had the potential to be the South African Dog Day Afternoon, but it falls disappointingly short.

The film is based on a mostly forgotten footnote of Pretorian history, which makes it all the more fascinating. The story of the three freedom fighters is one that deserves to be told, and the film does shed light on the apartheid era in South Africa. However, the film lacks the emotional depth and nuance needed to truly bring the story to life. The film's attempts to tackle big issues such as racism, oppression, and political unrest are superficial, and the film fails to explore these issues in any meaningful way.

Despite its missed potential, Silverton Siege is still worth a watch for its historical significance and thrilling action scenes. The film manages to capture the intensity of the siege and the desperation of the freedom fighters. The use of real-life footage and photographs during the closing credits adds a layer of authenticity to the film, reminding the audience that this was a true event that took place in their own country's history.

However, the supporting cast doesn't quite measure up to the leads' performances, and some of the acting can feel wooden and forced. This is partly due to the script, which doesn't allow for much character development beyond the three leads. The film jumps from one action sequence to the next, leaving little room for character building or exploration of the complex political issues at play.

Another issue with the film is its lack of originality. While the real-life events that inspired Silverton Siege are fascinating, the film itself feels like a generic action movie, complete with tired cliches and predictable plot points. The heist movie tropes are all present and accounted for, from the daring escape to the final showdown with the police. It's a missed opportunity to use the story's political and historical significance to create something truly unique and memorable.

That being said, director Mandla Dube does a commendable job with the film's action scenes. The opening chase through the streets of Pretoria is particularly well-executed, and the final standoff in the bank is tense and gripping. Dube has a talent for creating a sense of urgency and danger, which keeps the audience engaged throughout the film's runtime.

In conclusion, Silverton Siege is a flawed but compelling film that offers a glimpse into a pivotal moment in South African history. While it doesn't quite live up to its potential as a politically charged heist movie, it still manages to entertain with its thrilling action sequences and strong performances from the lead actors. The film's true power lies in its ability to educate audiences about an important event that has been largely forgotten, and to inspire reflection on the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in South Africa and beyond.