Customer Reviews

The Power of One

5 star:		(93)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(22)

 

 

is the topic of Bryce Courtenay's novel of the same name. The DVD does credence to his excellent (5 star!) book. Virtually unknown to the viewing audience thanks to release errors made when the movie came out in 1992, the story provides a showcase
for the acting talents of Stephen Dorff - then a virtual unknown, today one of our strongest young character actors; he stars as Peekay, a young English orphan torn by the promise of an easier future outside of his native South Africa and his love for all things and most people of his land. He is drawn by his past and the lessons learned from a series of wise mentors, who see in him the promise and hope of a better future for South Africa. Color blind, he grows up speaking many tribal languages, and is foreign only to the politically powerful movement that created the system of Apartheid in South Africa.

Power of One was recommended to me by a dear friend, who said the movie inspired him in many ways. He was so right. The music, a mixture of soaring melodies and tribal songs, inspires on its own. The scenic beauty of the land of South Africa, from the grasslands to the waterfalls is breathtakingly portrayed on film and captured with true artistry in the DVD.

There are many fine supporting players in this tale, some famous, some unknown. Like most tales of heroes and leaders, they shine for awhile in the tale of the child, the adolescent and then the young man Peekay (kudos to the casting director for the two youngsters who play Peekay in his early years; they light up the screen!) and each one's sun sets as Peekay lives through the losses and tragedies that form the backdrop for most heroes.

Really a fine tale - a little long in the last hour, some gratuitous violence - a story of the African struggle that few of us know was taking place while the world watched the Nazis.

If you see the Power of One, and are moved by the story, be sure to read Courtenay's novel. Both are outstanding!

I have to admit to being totally surprised by the way I felt about this movie. I expected to HATE it. A movie about boxing!! Not my idea of an interesting, or insightful view of apartheid! Although it is not nearly as good a movie as it is a book this movie more than delivers the goods. You have a wonderful more than slightly bitter story about this incredible child growing into a caring and concientious young man truly against the odds. His guides on his path from boyhood to adulthood are beautifully played by Armin Mueller Stahl, Morgan Freeman and Sir John Gielgud, not an unimpressive list. Stephen Dorff is impressive as the older Peekay and the actors playing the younger versions also help to create a character that is truly warm and appealing. The music from this movie also remains one of my favourite soundtracks of all time. It moves between being uplifting and happy to melancholy and powerful. It is truly a beautiful soundtrack. All in all I cannot reccommend this movie enough, if I had never watched it I wouldn't have even know of the book and it is now one of my favourites also. Watch this movie and I truly believe you won't be disappointed.

Not what you'd expect from the director of "Rocky" and "The Karate Kid", two well done but rather shallow 'fighting' movies. While part of this movie does have to do with boxing, it is just a vehicle to better show the audience deep character changes happening inside the heart and mind of the lead character, P.K. (called Peekay in the book, apparantly, although I never read it). The director deserved any awards that were lying about when he made this film!

The story is about a small British boy, P.K., who is orphaned at a young age and lives in an all-Afrikaans boarding school. He is harrassed and beaten, and eventually comes under the tutilage of 'Doc', an eccentric and wise old man from Germany. When Doc is taken to prison, he is treated exceptionally well, and introduces P.K. to Piet, a black inmate who teaches the small boy to box. In this way P.K. grows up, witnessing tragic and terrible happenings around him as well as triumph as he outrgrows his thin, scared figure and becomes a muscular, self-confident and strong-willed man. The film follows him as he grows as a human being, striving to change his world and live life to its fullest. The story is one without flaws, and although is a bit unbelievable (I don't think this is a true story; however, it very well might be) it is very convincing.

The preformances are exellent, the best of which is definitely from Stephen Dorff, who plays P.K. His accent is wonderful considering I'm almost sure he's American. Mueller-Stahl as Doc is obviously spectacular, as always, and the acting of Morgan Freeman, who plays Piet... well, I needn't say more! The story is deeply stirring, sending literal chills down my spine as I watched. While the flakish, yet spunky, character of Maria (P.K.'s sheltered love interest who matures more with him then I think she would have otherwise in her entire lifetime) is played well, her character seems to be there simply to add a love story to an already fabulous film. The romance is quite touching, however, and is a nice distraction from the chaos of P.K.'s world.

A film not to be missed.

Bryce Courtenay must have not been paying attention when he sold the movie rights to his awsome book by the same name. The Power of One is about the flame of independence that burns in each of us that must never be allowed to go out. In the book, it has been bastardized to mean the power that many people have if they are united in purpose.

Don't get me wrong; the movie is still pretty good, with amazing acting, a compelling story, vivid African landscape, and of course Hans Zimmer's music. The first time I saw it, I would have rated it five stars...right up until I read the book. The movie simply can't hold a candle to the book. Half of the movie is constructed around literally one paragraph of the book. It creates characters (including the love interest) out of thin air, while leaving out characters that made Peekay into who he was.

Another reviewer wrote that Peekay was colorblind. Far from it. Peekay knew and understood prejudice from his earliest days, but also understood that prejudice was not limited to color. Zulu looked down on Shangaan; Afrikaner hated English. The overwhelming theme is not racism so much as tribalism. Were they Afrikaners, English, Zulu, etc., or were they South Africans? In the book, Peekay constantly has to balance who he is as an individual with who he is in relationship to society. He MUST maintain his own flame, yet he must also live in society. A far better concept than movie. After all, the perpetrators of apartheid had just as much "Power of One" as the heroes of the movie. So watch the movie, then read the book, and if you're like my wife who was afraid of the book because of the way the movie ends, don't worry; the movie never happens in the book.

The Power Of One is the beutiful story of a young English boy that is growing up in South Africa in the time of predudice and hate which we know as aparthied, The story follows his life and illustrates this young boys passion and sense of justice it is not just a simple story about boxing!!!!, This story influences the viewer on many levels....The movie is great....HOWEVER if you even remotely enjoyed the film...you will LOVE the novel. The movie leaves out many important factors that the novel foccusses on, The novel speaks of the events that drive Peekay to fight for justice in South Africa and highlights the many important relationships that Peekay encounters through Life. If you've read the book and are planning to watch the film plan to be dissapointed it lacks depth and meaning compared to the novel, Howevre if you're watching the movie and have not read the novel prepared to be delighted by the poignant story of the power of one, that is full of meaninf and important themes (it just doesn't touch the surface of the books, but I think this is because only the reader can create the passion and feel the connection with the characters in their own mind....

A perfect case of why read the book if you can watch the movie? All of the reviewers the gave this movie low marks read the book first. Never, never do this. Watch the movie, be moved by the experience and then read the book. There will be far less disappointment that way.

One of the greatest movies no one has heard of. I have seen it multiple times and it is a triumph of the human spirit. You will wish the movie went on for another few hours. Freeman was excellent as was Dorf, clearly his greatest moment. You will not regret watching this movie, if you did not read the book first.

I was first subjected to this movie through my brother, who had the soundtrack. i was so drawn to the powerful voices - i bought the soundtrack and rented the movie soon after. and soon after that, i bought the movie.

the power of one is one of the better movies of the decade, and it drips with hope. "yeah, but its false hope." "better than no hope at all." i like movies with a message, and this movie does a good job of showing that the people in power, the establishment, babylon, are not always right or just.

apartheid ripped a nation apart, pitted tribe against tribe (afrikans, english, zulu, etc.). the power of one gives an inside look at what apartheid did to all south africans, white and black.

the soundtrack has been background music for the last seven years of my life, the movie, a reminder of what's important in life. for years, i dreamt of acacias, drumming, gorgeous sunsets, and a smiling african people. a couple of years ago, i went to live in zanzibar, tanzania to chase my dreams. i found them.

i also suggest buying the book - its a very different story, though of course very similar in ways. also, check out sarafina and cry freedom, which talk about two of the largest tragedies i know of, the soweto massacre and steve biko.

I thought that it was one of the best movies i ever saw anywhere, and it was the best movie i ever saw in school of course. Whoever choose the actor's to play all the different P.K.s was really good. when he was a little boy you couldn't help but cry when he lost his loved ones. he was so brave about it too!! when he was that middle age he was so energetice when he taught the prisioners how to sing. when he was like 18ish, he was heartmelting! he knew exactly what he wanted in life and he went for it even when it seemed impossible. i would give this movie 1000 stars with a medal. at first i thought i was going to watch another

"The Power of One" began its existence as a novel. A story which I found one of the most touching books I've read, and I have been a reader of books my whole life. My first exposure to the movie version was on Laser Disc. I was collecting movies pertaining to South African history during a time when several films were available on the subject of Apartheid, etc. The book and my laser disc version of "The Power of One" became a 'cult' movie among family and friends.
I would rate the screenplay, the overall story, the casting (superb), acting, film work, as 5 Star. The transfer to DVD seems to have kept the one flaw that the original recorded movie possessed and that is difficulty in hearing the dialogue in many scenes; especially the out of doors filming. I have watched this movie many many times and always wonder if the sound was recorded on location without any studio dubbing. That would be my only criticism of this film. The cast of characters are remarkable. The message of the film is beautifully filled with much tenderness and caring despite the violence involved, which, I feel, was so necessary to carry the message that "The Power of One" brings to all the family of man who reside here on this beautiful blue/green orb called "Earth", whereon all that has ever happened to us has taken place.
When I feel at rope's end with the frustration of the problems of the world today, I 'tie a knot in the end of that rope', hold on for dear life and break out either the DVD version or my original laser disc version of "The Power of One" and renew my faith in mankind. Truly, the film is well named "The POWER of ONE"". --- KJA

I happened upon this film by chance one day many years ago and have loved it ever since!! The story of P.K. is an emotional rollercoaster! I was joyed, saddened, angered and awed. I agree that EVERYONE should see this film!(The book should be required reading in every high school literature class!) It is NOT a movie about boxing. It is a courageous and spiritual life journey through the eyes of the innocent and what hatred and fear can do (and has done)to the human race.
The cast was awesome! Morgan Freeman is amazing! I cried so hard when his character was killed! The young actors portraying P.K. are adorable as well as believeable, Stephen Dorff is outstanding. The music is also as big a part of the film as the cast, a truly inspirational soundtrack.
I recommend everyone see this film or read the book, it is filled with lessons that should affect you the rest of your life!