69. The Recce; movie review

 

 

THE RECCE

Cert TBA

94 mins

BBFC advice: TBA

Between 1966 and 1990 nearly 2,000 South African soldiers and innumerable opposition forces died during the Border War.

For what? To prevent the 'commies' from taking over the country where the ten per cent white population kept a boot on the 90 per cent black.

In the end, it was futile, because, in common with all unjust regimes, it collapsed.

Thus, the lives lost and operations such as the one highlighted in The Recce became a mere historical footnote.

Aside from the tacit criticism of a pointless war, Johannes Ferdinand Van Zyl's film also highlights the soldiers who become addicted to the taste of battle.

One such man is Henk (Greg Kriek) who is part of a unit which goes undercover behind the lines into Angola.

He is assigned a solo mission, leaving behind a heavily pregnant and worried wife, Nicola (Christia Visser).

Thus, the movie is split into two - part concentrating on Henk in the bush where he is targeting an Eastern European army advisor and part with Nicola as she hopes for his safe return.

Meanwhile, light is also shone upon the ruthless political decision-makers who have the ultimate decision on Henk's future.

The scenes in the bush are the most arresting as Kriek convinces as a man who needs great physical and mental agility to survive.

But the overriding memory of The Recce will be the Border War and the sense of what a waste of life.

Reasons to watch: The brutality of a little-known war

Reasons to avoid: Goes over the same ground quite a lot

Laughs: None

Jumps: One

Vomit: Yes

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 6/10

Did you know? The South African Border War was virtually ended by the Tripartite Accord, mediated by the United States. South West Africa received formal independence as the Republic of Namibia on 21 March 1990.

The final word. Greg Kriek: "It was a tremendous honour to get to play Henk - I really resonated with his tenacity, his dogged perseverance, his deep sense of duty as well as his inner struggle of pursuing his passion and being with his loved ones at the same time, specifically the fact that sometimes these often are in conflict with one another." Spling

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