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IMDbPro

A Good Man in Africa

  • 19941994
  • RR
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
5.0/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
Sean Connery, Joanne Whalley, Louis Gossett Jr., John Lithgow, Diana Rigg, and Colin Friels in A Good Man in Africa (1994)
Home Video Trailer from Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Play trailer1:15
1 Video
25 Photos
Comedy
In a West African nation, the womanizing British 1st Secretary of the High Commissioner deals with different issues.In a West African nation, the womanizing British 1st Secretary of the High Commissioner deals with different issues.In a West African nation, the womanizing British 1st Secretary of the High Commissioner deals with different issues.
IMDb RATING
5.0/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Bruce Beresford
  • Writer
    • William Boyd(novel)
  • Stars
    • Colin Friels
    • Sean Connery
    • Joanne Whalley
  • Director
    • Bruce Beresford
  • Writer
    • William Boyd(novel)
  • Stars
    • Colin Friels
    • Sean Connery
    • Joanne Whalley
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 16User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
    • 46Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    A Good Man In Africa
    Trailer 1:15
    Watch A Good Man In Africa

    Photos25

    Sean Connery, Bruce Beresford, and Colin Friels in A Good Man in Africa (1994)
    Colin Friels in A Good Man in Africa (1994)
    Sean Connery and Bruce Beresford in A Good Man in Africa (1994)
    Sean Connery in A Good Man in Africa (1994)
    John Lithgow and Diana Rigg in A Good Man in Africa (1994)
    Sean Connery in A Good Man in Africa (1994)
    Louis Gossett Jr. and Colin Friels in A Good Man in Africa (1994)
    A Good Man in Africa (1994)
    Louis Gossett Jr. in A Good Man in Africa (1994)
    Joanne Whalley and Colin Friels in A Good Man in Africa (1994)
    John Lithgow in A Good Man in Africa (1994)
    Sean Connery in A Good Man in Africa (1994)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Colin Friels
    Colin Friels
    • Morgan Leafy
    Sean Connery
    Sean Connery
    • Dr. Murray
    Joanne Whalley
    Joanne Whalley
    • Celia
    • (as Joanne Whalley-Kilmer)
    John Lithgow
    John Lithgow
    • Fanshawe
    Diana Rigg
    Diana Rigg
    • Chloe
    Louis Gossett Jr.
    Louis Gossett Jr.
    • Adekunle
    Sarah-Jane Fenton
    • Priscilla
    Maynard Eziashi
    Maynard Eziashi
    • Friday
    Jeremy Crutchley
    Jeremy Crutchley
    • Dalmire
    Jackie Mofokeng
    • Hazel
    Daphne Greenwood
    • Duchess
    Themba Ndaba
    • Kojo
    David Phetoe
    • Isaiah
    Dambuza Mdledle
    • Sonny
    Lillian Dube
    Lillian Dube
    • Innocence
    Peter Thage
    • Peter
    Patrick Mynhardt
    • Muller
    George Lee
    • Highlife Singer
    • Director
      • Bruce Beresford
    • Writer
      • William Boyd(novel) (screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Actor Colin Friels replaced actor Gary Oldman after the latter withdrew from the movie.
    • Quotes

      Dr. Alex Murray: Show me the man who is completely content, and I'll show you the lobotomy scar.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Quiz Show/Milk Money/A Simple Twist of Fate/A Good Man in Africa/What Happened Was... (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      Matutu Mirika
      Composed by Eric Agyeman

      Performed by Eric Agyeman

      Courtesy of Ghana Records

    User reviews16

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    light humour about incompetence and corruption in Africa
    This film was on late night, mid week BBC television ,last week and I found it fairly easy going in general. It wasn't complicated at all although in some ways it attempted to be so due to the sex subplots involving British diplomat Colin Friels (who also bears a passing resemblance to Ewan MacGregor strangely enough). Those subplots of course came second to the themes of corruption, incompetence and confusion which I have to say reign supreme in Africa. The seemingly intelligent, progressive leader is actually corrupt to the core and is well played by Louis Gossett I thought.

    The film also took a somewhat farcical view of African culture and politics which is completely over exagerrated but funny nonetheless. For example, the names and words of certain things amused me, like 'newly independent' Kinjanja for example. The local currency was the 'jan-jan' (?), the capital city was unpronouncable, and the locals believe in a god of thunder called 'Shango' which in a way becomes the driving force of the plot and causes our hero Friels all sorts of amusing moments. If struck by lightning, the victim also had to be 'cleansed' by a 'ju-ju' man??!!! True, the locals are portrayed as simple, god fearing, useless idiots which is something of a Euro-stereotype of Africans in general it has to be said. But the British diplomats, played by Friels and Lithgow, are also given rough treatment......they bend over backwards for a corrupt leader, can't deal with local politics, are xenophobic and bumblingly incompetent. But from these situations I did draw a certain degree of amusement, if only due to the fact that I lived in southern africa for over ten years and some of the stereotypes and mishaps were classic Africa.

    Some good looking female actors also help the film along although the likes of Diana Rigg are under-used. Connery puts in a forgetful performance but both Friels and Lithgow are entertaining. The sticky atmosphere also comes through as does the general hurly burly life of a foreign diplomat in Africa..........I'll give it 6.5/10, easy going and good for a few laughs.
    helpful•10
    2
    • rugbysharks
    • Aug 4, 2001

    FAQ1

    • Where can I buy a VCD of this movie?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 9, 1994 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • South Africa
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Un buen hombre en África
    • Filming locations
      • South Africa(setting: West Africa, Kinjanja)
    • Production companies
      • Capitol Films
      • Polar Entertainment
      • South African Breweries
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,308,390
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,144,942
      • Sep 11, 1994
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,308,390
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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    Sean Connery, Joanne Whalley, Louis Gossett Jr., John Lithgow, Diana Rigg, and Colin Friels in A Good Man in Africa (1994)
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