Silverton Siege Review: A Slightly Contrived But Effective Action-Thriller
In 1980, three men, activists of the ANC’s uMkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation), held up a bank in Silverton, Pretoria. This happened after a botched operation to sabotage an oil plant to destabilize Apartheid-era South Africa. The trio took 25 people hostage and demanded the release of Nelson Mandela. This story has been repurposed for a “based on a true story” action-thriller, Silverton Siege, that reimagines the situation and adds a touch of old-fashioned Hollywood contrivances.
In the Netflix adaptation of this story, by South African director Mandla Dube and screenwriter Sabelo Mgidi, the trio of armed activists is altered. They are now two men and a woman, Calvin (Thabo Rametsi), Aldo (Stefan Erasmus) and Terra (Noxolo Dlamini). Just as the events of the real story follow, the trio attempt to sabotage a power plant as a statement against Apartheid. In need of a new plan, they rush to a bank and start making demands. One of which is to free Nelson Mandela, just as the real activists demanded. However, while specific points are factual, Silverton Siege drives home the fact that this is not a play-by-play retelling of actual events. Dube is interested in leveling with his audience to teach them something and celebrate the spirit behind these activists.
Related: Silverton Siege Trailer Shows First Look at Free Mandela Thriller
The real story ends in tragedy, but Dube’s style of filmmaking here is to not dwell on the exact recounting of what happened. Instead, he creates characters out of these activists and imbues them with the energy of the anti-Apartheid movement. He isn’t necessarily condoning their actions, either, but instead providing context to a situation that even the actors in the movie had to Google. Many
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