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IMDbPro

Shepherds and Butchers

  • 20162016
  • RR
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
3K
YOUR RATING
Steve Coogan and Andrea Riseborough in Shepherds and Butchers (2016)
International Trailer
Play trailer2:44
1 Video
26 Photos
CrimeDramaMystery
A lawyer takes on a case of a prison guard in South Africa who is traumatized by the executions he's witnessed.A lawyer takes on a case of a prison guard in South Africa who is traumatized by the executions he's witnessed.A lawyer takes on a case of a prison guard in South Africa who is traumatized by the executions he's witnessed.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
3K
YOUR RATING
    • Oliver Schmitz
    • Brian Cox(screenplay)
    • Chris Marnewick(novel)
  • Stars
    • Steve Coogan
    • Andrea Riseborough
    • Garion Dowds
    • Oliver Schmitz
    • Brian Cox(screenplay)
    • Chris Marnewick(novel)
  • Stars
    • Steve Coogan
    • Andrea Riseborough
    • Garion Dowds
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 22User reviews
    • 26Critic reviews
    • 42Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    Shepherds and Butchers
    Trailer 2:44
    Watch Shepherds and Butchers

    Photos26

    Steve Coogan and Andrea Riseborough in Shepherds and Butchers (2016)
    Shepherds and Butchers (2016)
    Shepherds and Butchers (2016)
    Garion Dowds in Shepherds and Butchers (2016)
    Shepherds and Butchers (2016)
    Shepherds and Butchers (2016)
    Andrea Riseborough in Shepherds and Butchers (2016)
    Steve Coogan in Shepherds and Butchers (2016)
    Steve Coogan in Shepherds and Butchers (2016)
    Shepherds and Butchers (2016)
    Steve Coogan in Shepherds and Butchers (2016)
    Andrea Riseborough in Shepherds and Butchers (2016)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Steve Coogan
    Steve Coogan
    • John Weber
    Andrea Riseborough
    Andrea Riseborough
    • Kathleen Marais
    Garion Dowds
    • Leon Labuschagne
    Eduan van Jaarsveldt
    • Pedrie Wierda
    Deon Lotz
    Deon Lotz
    • Warrant Officer Rautenbach
    Marcel van Heerden
    • Justice J.P. van Zyl
    Robert Hobbs
    Robert Hobbs
    • Pierre de Villiers
    Inge Beckmann
    Inge Beckmann
    • John's Sister
    Michael Richard
    • Doubles Partner
    Brett Williams
    • Tennis partner
    Nicola Hanekom
    • Dr. Schlebusch
    Carel Nel
    Carel Nel
    • Karel Niemand
    Sarah Potter
    • Antoinette Labuschagne
    Johan Esterhuizen
    • Mr. Labuschagne
    Margie Pankhurst
    • Mrs. Labuschagne
    Sylvia Mdunyelwa
    • Mrs. Mokoena
    Jennifer Pau
    • Mother of Victim
    Nelly Madolo
    • Mother of Victim
      • Oliver Schmitz
      • Brian Cox(screenplay)
      • Chris Marnewick(novel)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Garion Dowds attended Reddam House school in Bedfordview, South Africa, where his mother teaches Drama.
    • Goofs
      During the shooting scene, 13 shots are fired. At the reenactment, in flashback, Leon fires 10 rounds.
    • Quotes

      [first lines]

      Pierre De Villiers: [coming to see the crime scene] "Magazine hill", they call this place. Dead end.

      Johan Webber: Mmm. Why would Labuschagne and the other men in the minibus have come up here?

      Pierre De Villiers: He claims he can't remember any of it. So, Leon's bakkie was parked here. He left the keys in the ignition, then he ran that way. The minibus taxi belonging to the football team was... Came to rest here. Point-blank range. The gun they found was registered in Leon's name. He dragged the bodies over there, then he lined them up.

    • Soundtracks
      Angels
      Written by Barry Gibb, Steve Gibb and Ashley Gibb

      Performed by Vusi Mahlasela and Barry Gibb

    User reviews22

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Richly filmed, compelling courtroom drama
    This beautifully filmed drama, set in apartheid era South Africa manages to be at once brutal and sensitive. Steve Coogan and Andrea Riseborough face each other in the trial of a psychologically broken prison guard, accused of a multiple murder. Graphic and harrowing at times, delicately picking an unconventional course to its conclusion. Effectively a period piece, convincingly set in 1980's Pretoria, filmed in Cape Town in pleasing detail. Centred in the courtroom, but repeatedly flashing back to the accused's past as a prison guard on death row and following Coogan's progress through the trial in his defence. The prison and execution scenes play out in sickening detail, with a host of convincing supporting actors. The courtroom too has several well observed characters, from the judge to the bereaved relatives. The accused guard is well played; too, too young, and a mental and emotional shell of a man, opening up painfully slowly during the piece. Coogan though is the star; at first reluctant, then intrigued and finally quite determined as the defence counsel. The camera holds him close in this very convincing portrayal. The whole film is beautiful, cleverly lit and stylish, with great attention to all the details of the time and the place. The Afrikaaner Warrant Officer quietly chilling, the courtroom relatives, glorious. A genuinely emotional and thought provoking film, touching on several aspects of the capital punishment debate. It alternately brought to mind Oscar Pistorius' trial and Billie Holiday's 'Strange Fruit'. Be prepared for mixed feelings at the end!
    helpful•47
    6
    • philneal-67740
    • Jun 25, 2016

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 23, 2017 (United Arab Emirates)
      • South Africa
      • United States
      • Germany
      • English
      • Afrikaans
    • Also known as
      • South Africa
    • Production companies
      • Videovision Entertainment
      • Distant Horizon
      • Times Media Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 42 minutes
      • Color

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