The Power of One (1992)

An English boy, living in Africa during World War II, through his boxing prowess, becomes a symbol of hope, in a time of war.

Director:

John G. Avildsen

Writers:

Bryce Courtenay (novel), Robert Mark Kamen (screenplay)

Stars:

Stephen Dorff, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Morgan Freeman

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nomadlozi Kubheka	...	Nanny
Agatha Hurle	...	Midwife
Nigel Ivy	...	P.K. Newborn
Tracy Brooks Swope	...	Mother
Brendan Deary	...	P.K. Infant
Winston Mangwarara	...	Tonderai Infant
Guy Witcher	...	P.K. Age 7
Tonderai Masenda	...	Tonderai
Cecil Zilla Mamanzi	...	Ranch Foreman
John Turner	...	Afrikaner Minister
Robbie Bulloch	...	Jaapie Botha
Gordon Arnell	...	Minister at Mother's Funeral
Jeremiah Mnisi	...	Dabula Manzi
Armin Mueller-Stahl	...	Doc
Paul Tingay	...	Grandfather

Storyline

The Power of One is an intriguing story of a young English boy named Peekay and his passion for changing the world. Growing up he suffered as the only English boy in an Afrikaans school. Soon orphaned, he was placed in the care of a German national named Professor von Vollensteen (a.k.a. "Doc"), a friend of his grandfather. Doc develops Peekay's piano talent and Peekay becomes "assistant gardener" in Doc's cactus garden. It is not long after WWII begins that Doc is placed in prison for failure to register with the English government as a foreigner. Peekay makes frequent visits and meets Geel Piet, an inmate, who teaches him to box. Geel Piet spreads the myth of the Rainmaker, the one who brings peace to all of the tribes. Peekay is cast in the light of this myth. After the war Peekay attends an English private school where he continues to box. He meets a young girl, Maria, with whom he falls in love. Her father, Professor Daniel Marais, is a leader of the Nationalist Party of South ...

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Plot Keywords:

africa | bare chested male | urination | shower | defecation | 

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Taglines:

An exhilarating epic of a triumph of the heart.

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some areas of strong violence

Details

Country:

Australia France USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 March 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

O Poder de um Jovem

Filming Locations:

UK

Box Office

Gross USA:

$2,827,107

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alcor Films, Canal+, Regency Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some movie posters for the film featured a long text preamble that read: "A boy, orphaned in the land he loved. In harmony with a people that were not his family. Challenge developed his fists. Outrage awakened his courage. In the struggle for change . . . In the pursuit of freedom . . . One person can make a difference."

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Goofs

When PK's character goes from 12 to 18 years old, the caption is "Johannesburg 1948". After the classroom scene and as PK and Morrie are walking past the fountain after the art lesson, Morrie says, "...as the Queen has for boules..." In 1948, George VI was the monarch. Elizabeth II, his daughter, did not ascend to the throne until 1952, four years later. However, the wife of a British King is known as the "Queen". Therefore, Morrie may have been referring to George VI's wife, Queen Elizabeth (later known as "The Queen Mother" after her daughter ascended to the throne).

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Quotes

[first lines]
Title Card: In the 1680s, Dutch, French and Germans fled religious persecution in Europe and settled in Southern Africa. They called themselves the Afrikaners. White Africans. / For the next 250 years, the British Empire fought the Afrikaners for control of the land, the gold and 20 million Native Africans. / In 1948, a conservative Afrikaner government was voted into power. A system of segregation first introduced by the English was declared the law of the land. / The English never gave the ...

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Connections

References The Karate Kid (1984)

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Soundtracks

The Mourning Song
Written by Johnny Clegg
Performed by The Masibemunye Bulawayo Choir

User Reviews

Powerful but informative

Having read both the book and watched the film, this is a great film.

Although lacking a lot of the depth and detail the book had it still captures the essence that Bryce Courtenay used in the book.

I myself grew up in South Africa during Apartheid and it was indeed a tragedy, this book captures what I saw during my time to the letter. The governing powers feared the tribes and from this grew hate,from hate anger.

I read the book whilst still in South Africa as a teenager and it left me with a tear more than once. The Film has been skillfully crafted as well as any adaptation can be done and still leaves me with a lump every time that pinnacle line is uttered: 'Little beat Big, If little is smart. First with the head, then with the Heart'

A shame that Robert Kamen didn't put the same emphasis that came from the book.