Memorable, crazy movie

Fantastic!

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Having resided in the Transvaal during the 80s when the 'Stander Gang' rode the high veldt while pillaging and robbing banks at every turn they maneuvered their 1982 Ford Cortina XR6 Interceptor, I can safely vouch now and from a great distance, that the historicity of the film is somewhat accurate. Well, with some minor reservations...But I won't say the same for the 'tone', make that, theme. This film, which had the potential to be gute South African cinema was cast almost entirely with a huge liberal bent; way too much PC for my liking. To wit, the director tries hard, maybe even succeeds (with unsuspecting viewers) to portray Andre Stander, former S.A. Police detective, now turned hoodlum/mayhem master as a black benefactor. Make no mistake: the real Stander was no such thing. On the contrary, he was an opportunist; he only sought avenues for quick, easy plunder. It came in the form of easy pickings; always in the form of robbing banks; sometimes his gang knocked over four branches a day. Some twice!And Stander always enjoyed the fruits of his labors. He had a penchant for fast cars: the likes of several yellow Porsche Carerras hardly escaped his lusting eyes. The same can be said for the other forms of ostentatious debauchery: fast women, probably drugs, clubbing and wining and dining in the trendy Joburg suburbs of Mayfair and Sandton; just to name a few.But Stander had help. The South African media also had a penchant for debauchery. Their non-stop 24/7 coverage no doubt fanned the flames of this budding myth. As if scripted, Stander and his gang would never disappoint either. At the hint of a hot lead or the attraction of a pretty, young teller longing for her 15 minutes of fame, the infamous gang would always burst on the scene. As expected, the media hounds never missed a scent and the chance to further expound the bank robbers meteoric rise to stardom.More often than naught, the brazen robbers were well received in the newspapers as well as on the S.A.B.C. TV channels. Both of them. The Gang, was now officially the Republik's own version of Robin Hood; but the motley trio was never given a 'merry band of fellows' moniker though.Thomas Jane gives a good/bad account of the main man: Andre Stander. His two accomplices, Allan Heyl and Lee McCall were well portrayed as well; so were the entire supporting cast members and extras. The sets of 70s/80s Joburg were expertly re-constructed: all too eerily, realistic.Ofter during the viewing, I felt s strong longing to return home. But not back to the future...

The tagline 'Good Cop. Great Criminal' perfectly describes "Stander" the action-thriller based on real life events that took place in South Africa in the late 70's and 80's.Disillusioned with the way the police force operates (in terms of the police always being available to investigate crimes involving black people, but not white people), Andre Stander, a respected and brilliant police officer began a life of crime, similar to that of Robin Hood, whereby he began robbing banks very effectively, and he gave the stolen money to needy African people. Of course eventually he was found out, and sentenced to many years in prison.While in prison though he forms a bond with two others - Allan Heyl and Lee McCall - and after breaking out of prison they return to robbing banks and keeping the police force always one step ahead. However, a series of events leads to a tragic and bitter end for the members of the 'Stander Gang'."Stander" is an amazing film that brings to life the injustice suffered by many Africans in South Africa, but the racism can be applied to any country in the world, where a police force is not entirely fair and just.The handsome Tom Jane is perfect as Andre Stander. Charming, compassionate and determined, he plays the role with strength and conviction. He also appears naked several times early in the film which may please some of his fans. The beautiful Deborah Kara Unger gives another amazing performance as Stander's sympathetic wife Bekkie, who also meets a tragic end though this is not shown on screen. David O'Hara and Dexter Fletcher play Allan Hely and Lee McCall respectively, Stander's prison mates and later partners.Tom Jane and Deborah Kara Unger also perfect a South African accent, not at all making it come across as forced or fake. Great direction from Bronwen Hughes and some gripping storytelling from the writer Bima Slagg. Overall, and fantastic film that not only gives a history lesson, but a compelling and wonderful story. Well done to all those involved.

The true story of South African police officer who, while protecting the law and the order of the British occupation force, during the Soveto riot has a violent encounter with an African protester but also with his conscience after killing him. While his system of values falls apart he comes to realize that he cannot live in ignorance any more and chooses to cross to the other side of the law by robbing banks. In fact it's the account of a man who had everything by common set standards and on a date with destiny loses it ironically(or not) at the same moment in time that seals his fate when he realizes that his very existence stands for what he increasingly learns to hate. This is when he willingly chooses to go down the road of self discovery and ultimately self destruction. The action sequences are brisk; Thomas Jane delivers a solid performance, mastering both the accent and the portrayal of the powerful personality Andre Stander possessed; Deborah Kara Unger is sizzling hot as Bekki Stander; and the ending becomes symbolic upon reflection on the relationship between destiny and fatality.A true to life invitation to question our part in this world and a glimpse into how our inertia dictated actions can change the course of our lives in a split-second far away from Hollywood's vision on how to manage an uncomfortable subject.

Being a South African and Afrikaner myself it's a nicely made movie about South Africa, unlike some biased movies out there.Though Andre Stander speaks English in the movie he was an Afrikaner. He's character speaks obviously English for the audience to understand. As for robbing the same bank twice, that is true.The only difference was it was not done in a matter of a few minutes like in the movie, but a few days later.This is a great story from Africa where so many such other great stories can't wait to be told.Good old popcorn gangster flick....definitely not a girlie movie ;-)