Hansie: A True Story (2008)

"How do you start over once you have betrayed a nation's trust?" The news of Hansie Cronjé's involvement with Indian bookmakers and his resulting public confession rocked the international ... See full summary »

Director:

Regardt van den Bergh

Writers:

Dylan Ben-Israel (previous screenplay), Frans Cronjé

Stars:

Frank Rautenbach, Sarah Thompson, Matthew Dylan Roberts

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Frank Rautenbach	...	Hansie Cronjé
Sarah Thompson	...	Bertha Cronjé
Matthew Dylan Roberts	...	Joe Dawson
Leslie Mongezi	...	Kopano's father
Eric Nobbs	...	Ewie Cronjé
Sybel Coetzee	...	San-Marie Cronjé
Brandon Auret	...	Frans Cronjé
Tinarie van Wyk Loots	...	Hester (Cronjé) Parsons
Candice D'Arcy	...	René Cronjé
Rajit Kapoor	...	Prakash
Rajesh Gopie	...	Rakesh
Dane Vilas	...	Allan Donald
Ray McCauley	...	Himself (as Pastor Ray McCauley)
Dawid Minnaar	...	Johan Volsteedt
Andre Jacobs	...	Dr. Ali Bacher

Storyline

"How do you start over once you have betrayed a nation's trust?" The news of Hansie Cronjé's involvement with Indian bookmakers and his resulting public confession rocked the international sporting community. An unprecedented rise to glory was followed by the most horrific fall. A tarnished hero fueled the nation's fury. Hansie, once South African cricket's golden boy, had been stripped of everything he had held dear: a glorious captaincy, the support of his former team mates and the respect of a nation. In its place the stinging rejection of cricket administrators and the humiliating dissection of his life on international television, made his retreat into depression inevitable. Hansie's bravest moment in finally confessing his involvement with bookies had suddenly become a tightening noose around his neck. Hansie explores the very human drama of a man who, after losing everything he has worked for, begins the painstaking journey back to choosing "life". The journey is cathartic. We ...

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Plot Keywords:

hansie | south africa | redemption | cricket the game

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Taglines:

The legacy of a hero, the story of a man

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Genres:

Family | Sport

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Details

Country:

South Africa

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 September 2008 (South Africa)

Filming Locations:

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Box Office

Budget:

$7,900,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Global Creative Studios

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Too long, superficial and trying too hard for "redemption"

A movie about a subject very familiar to South Africans and cricket lovers. It is an attempt by the producer (Hansie's brother) to redeem the family honour but it falls short.

The story doesn't really get under the skin of Hansie Cronje and fails to really, honestly, examine his motives for taking the bribes and ultimately betraying his team, fans and country.

While one can accept that it is difficult for actors to portray very well known living people, most of them didn't really try very hard at all.

The religious theme is way too preachy, but about what one could expect from the team (producer, director, lead actor) that also made the bible-thumping "Faith like Potatoes". Hansie's "redemption" is unconvincing. It comes across as superficial and fails to convey any sense of sincerity.

Cricket fans will also be disappointed at the quality of cricket played by actors and extras supposedly portraying one of the best teams in the world, mercifully these scenes are few and far between.

The camera work is fairly good, locations are excellent but the acting and directing is well below par.

I was left with the impression that this film, just like Faith like Potatoes, was made for the "church hall" circuit rather than general audiences. It intentionally preaches to the choir.