Shangani Patrol
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- Опубликовано: 11 дек 2024
- My first feature film score, written in South Africa in 1970 when I was 24 years old. Note the brilliant trumpet playing of Eddie Calvert, "the man with the golden horn". He was living in Johannesburg when we recorded this. Dan Hill wrote the 8 bar opening part of the main theme which I then turned into the overture and used as basic source material throughout the movie along with variations on the Matabele chant that is in the opening sequence. The score was subsequently bought by Chappell Music to become part of their background music library. I sent a copy of the lp of this music to Ernest Gold in Hollywood and had a delightful and helpful letter back advising me to move there if I wanted to continue writing film music - something I never did, preferring to stay in South Africa.
![1 of 8 - Rhodes - The Life & Legend of Cecil Rhodes - 'All the World's Diamonds' [1996, 1 hr. 28m.+]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5wVadAzGg48/mqdefault.jpg)
![1 of 8 - Rhodes - The Life & Legend of Cecil Rhodes - 'All the World's Diamonds' [1996, 1 hr. 28m.+]](/img/tr.png)
The more I watch this film the more I'm impressed. Great quality from a local production and a nation under sanctions at the time.
It was a South African / Rhodesian Co production: my mentor David Millin ASC was the director 😊
Good lord! I';m a huge fan of films set in the colonial-era. I had never heard of this one. Thank you for posting it!
In spite of the burden of colonialism that Britain brought upon my forefathers, I salute the chivalry and gallantly of both the pioneer troops and amabutho kaMthwakazi. I'm proud of the fact that my great great grandfather Mayihlome Mpofu fought at the battle of Mbembesi, the last major standoff between the Ndebele and the British
In regard to burden I suppose it depends where people are. The legacy of colonialism in Rhodesia from 1940s to 1980 I’d say was rather good thanks to the lack of apartheid, especially after UDI. The truth people find hard to accept was that Ian Smith’s government was one of the most competent, level headed and fair in the world.
Also just checking should it be Matabele or Ndebele please tell me I’m writing an essay that touches on tribes a bit so it’d be very useful.
@@ScottTheBot07 In my opinion no level of exceptional governance by the colonial government could ever compensate for the loss of land and liberties that the black populace suffered
@@ScottTheBot07 The correct term is Ndebele. Matabele is a caricature of the actual term adopted by the Europeans from the Tswana/Sotho speaking people who called them Matebele.
@@TheScratchman85 it is a fact that the native Africans had the MOST freedom in history in England and Rhodesia. Remember the Shona and Endebele were killing and enslaving each other before. In fact the Ian Smith government gave massive rights for tribal trust lands and a chief’s council kind of thing to solve any problems between the many Kraals in Rhodesia. They made massive strides for equality and the final goal of EVERY constitution including the 1960s one forgot exact date was for eventual majority rule. Do you see my point? The colonialism of Rhodesia was very much a good thing and I think that more lives were saved than the under 10,000 Ndebele warriors who died during the Matabele war thanks to settlements and moves to keep peace between tribes rather than allowing the hundreds of generations conflict to continue between the Ndebele and Shona.
I was B.S.A.P. 1st sqad of 70. The extra' in this movie were my buddies of another sqad the same time. Memories!
My father recorded all this music in the RPM studios on Johannesburg. I got to know Mike well they built the first synthesizer together at the studios. I can also remember sitting in the editing room when they had to shave the film down to 90 minutes as requested by the censorship board of the time. The Maxim machine gun was a beautiful film prop and used to sit in the studio strong room. I got access to it occasionally, I wonder where it is now? I do not have many of them left but had loads of the props from the film; ammo bandoliers, 303 and Martini, axes, tents, water bottles etc.
I can't imagine what the apartheid censor board saw in this that needed to be removed from this movie 😳
Never encountered this film until just now. Thank you for uploading this era of history very much fascinates me.
Came here from a history channel 🇬🇧 uk
if you like early Rhodesian History, I have a series called "The wagon Wheels north" on my channel!
Men of Men I salute you.Very brave indeed.Unity is needed in Zimbabwe.Black or White.
Correct. But as long as ZANU-PF is still in power, it won't happen. Alas, the chinese meddling too much in the region o' southern africa in general.😪😫🤐
Rhodesia
@@christopherlewis9266 unfortunately no more. Rhodesia has been murdered and the Labour Party, Conservative (big c) party, Democrat party, terrs, Mr Vorster of South Africa, the UN, the bloody commies, Mozambique (with a z not a ç) and all of Rhodesia’s allies - murdered her. It wasn’t the attack of the enemy that hurt. ‘‘Twas the attack of their friends.
Reminds me of my favorite British movie. "ZULU"
A great film with an exceptionally good music theme. A tribute to brave men.
Really sad what happened to Rhodesia, it was a wonderful country and look at it today.
It was a wonderful Country before it was Rhodesia....look at it now!!!
@@zonko0488You think it was a wonderful country in the pre-colonial period? What are you smoking?
In the pre-colonial period the people were subject to the whims of tyrannical monarchs (Mzilikazi and Lobengula), the Matabele had no written language, no institutions of learning, no hospitals or medical care (beyond witch doctors), their life expectancy was extremely low, they lacked the ability to create cash crops or to expand their agriculture, their economy was based upon subsistence farming and raiding their neighbours for livestock and people, there were no property rights, no habeas corpus, and neither the Matabele nor the Mashona were enfranchised. Whereas, under the British system Africans received education, they had access to health care, life expectancy improved, agriculture was expanded allowing food production on a large scale, property rights, habeas corpus and a qualified franchise were all introduced. Life was demonstrably better for the majority of Africans under British rule than it had been under the pre-colonial regime.
Man, that was about the best re-enactment of a battle that I had never heard of and a credit to the director, producers and actors.
What ever happened to real cinema? This is great.
Friend, can you suggest any other good films?
I was a cinema usher at the premiere of this film in Salisbury in 1970 or so, being a prefect at Allan Wilson. I've only come across it again now
Wow how old were you?
I lived in Umtali and still miss it after all these years.
Rhodesians never die Sean, no matter where we are old boy. Be it Aussie, UK, RSA or Mars, we are all still Rhodesians.
Correct. I'm of half Briton/German ancestry, bornm and raised in Germany (Sadly). And even I can identify myself more with Rhodesia/(Old)RSA than anything else. Including the country I was born in. Ok, maybe we can add Ulster to that list. 😅How was live in Umtali back then? I'm asking 'cause many of us belonging to the younger generation want to know...
@@MOOSEDOWNUNDER my father was Rhodesian. My grandmother on my mother’s side was Rhodesian also. I’m proud to be Rhodesian.
So go back then
Thank you for uploading this great film, History is history no matter how painful, l salute the bravery men from both sides
Indeed as you say "history IS history" no matter how unpalatable it may be to us. All history is distorted by personal perspectives but taken together we should learn from it. Sadly, it seems we do not.
Thanks for this! Wonderful! Such brave men. Such character. What was. What might have been…
If anyone is interested there is a book written on this by Alexander Fullerton called "The White Men Sang" which depicts the actual battle from native accounts of what happened to the patrol including that shortly before they died a few survivors after hours of fighting stood up and sang either God Save The Queen or Abide With Me. The narrative is fictional but a stirring story
I’ve read the book thanks to your recommendation! Absolutely loved it ! Thanks for info !
I was struggling to remember the name of the book I read about this, thanks.
Yes, a great book.
Victor Mackeson was a news reader on Rhodesia Television and when this film came out, all Scots in Rhodesia cringed at his dreadful Scottish accent as Trooper Jack Robertson.
He waa reggae scogf
This is a movie that should set an example of ho a war movie should be made. Outstanding effort and result. Micheal Hankinson, you probably did not receive the credit you deserved, but I extend to you the credit you deserve as best I can. Let us all give hope you are not forgotten n to the ages. I am a published historian and I recognize what good you did here.
Thank you Gary, kind words indeed.
I have had an interest in history for many years, but there is not as much information about the African wars as I would like. This is an excellent film. I was married to a woman born in Rhodesia and her family left for Johannesburg after the war. Her father was an officer, so Rhodesian history became an interest. Brilliant movie, great narrative and sadly there is little of this sort of movie around today. Using computer graphics means losing realism. Well done.
A time when men of fortitude and balls of steel were unafraid to carve a country and great cities from the dirt.
wow this is really amazing i ddnt knw a film like this existed
My grandfather was the consultant on this film. Col George Duxbury. He died in 2011 aged 93 but suffered a stroke in 1997 and lost his power of speech. I wish I could have talked to him more about this subject and movie making in general. Thanks for the upload. No doubt many here might have known him.
He advised my mentor David Millin on many of his films, such as MAJUBA and SEVEN AGAINST THE SUN.
Ian Yule, the real deal Tosh. SAS, Para, Artillery, Mercenary with 5 Commando. Why has no one written a book about this cockney orphan and legend. Great to hear the SA Legion got him home to the UK and he is doing well in care. The Rhodies too. great work guys.
He passed away a few months ago, sadly.
Excellent background music....In my humble opinion, the music is absolutely essential to the enjoyment and understanding of the film...Greetings from the Philippines.
Mr. Hankinson, thank you very much for posting this! I am a longtime fan of colonial adventure films and ever since I saw a short clip from this movie on RUclips several years ago I have wanted to see it. I plan to watch it in full this weekend. A large part of the appeal for me is your thunderous, epic score! I particularly enjoy the part that begins at about 4:37. This is one of the most heroic themes I have ever heard in a movie! Your music ranks right alongside John Barry's theme for Zulu and Maurice Jarre's The Man Who Would Be King. I wish your music was MUCH better known and that you had done many more soundtracks. I am amazed that you produced such wonderfully heroic music at such an early age. Have you ever considered writing more film music? it's never too late! Thanks again, very much and nice to know you are well.
A super film. Cheers from Australia!!!
Awesome, thank you for sharing.
Good yarn Never knew this history before. Well done Thanks
Thank you for posting this Michael. My grandfather was Roscoe Behrmann who was the producer of the film, and I've been looking for somewhere to see it!
Loved it. Heard some errors are the but true of any movie. Great music. Hope to see more like it, just subscribed.
Pieter Hauptfleish played the part of my great grandfather, Commandant Pieter Johannes (Edward?) Raaff. The movie was filmed on and near the Rosenfels farm outside Bulawayo in 1970.
Fredrick Russell Burnham wrote his account of this in "Taking Chances" and "Scouting on Two Continents".
Here's an IMDB review 7/10
Enjoyable film if you accept the historical limitations.
Warning: Spoilers
I managed to get a DVD of this film from an outfit called 'Memories of Rhodesia' (I think they are on the web), having searched for some time. I thoroughly enjoyed it - although the print quality isn't great - and the film is pretty much what I expected. Given the time (1970) and place it was made (Rhodesia) I didn't expect a revisionist view of the history, and sure enough I didn't get it. It runs pretty much like a standard Western with the whites as good guys and the Matabele as 'Indians' - which is essentially a historical view (in both cases) weighted towards the settler ideology. It's the Matabele who, in fact, are fighting for their own land. These days Cecil Rhodes and his side-kick Dr Jameson - who engineered the war - are regarded pretty critically by historians, but inevitably there is no trace of that here. Rhodes doesn't appear, and Jameson is portrayed as a tough guy standing up to the Matabele. Rather oddly, the film jumps from the clash between settlers which provoked the war and the pursuit of King Lobengula which ended it (the 'Shangani patrol' of the title), missing out a chunk of battles in between. Once you accept these limitations, however, and the film gets underway it is very enjoyable - although a touch slow for modern tastes. It concentrates on Major Wilson and his decision to pursue Lobengula and the retreating Matabele despite the obvious dangers - it is not entirely uncritical of Wilson, which is a good thing. The human drama comes from the predicament of the individuals under his command as they are cut off by the Matabele. The locations are excellent, the general appearance of the participants (historically speaking) is quite good, and the battle-scenes are plentiful and well staged. Given the subject matter it is pretty bloodless (it seems a bit insipid in these post 'Saving Private Ryan' days) but again that is typical of the time it was made. The ending (I hope I'm not giving much away by saying Wilson's men all die; this is, after all, the Rhodesian equivalent of 'Custer's Last Stand') manages to be quite moving despite the curious 'Butch Cassidy' freeze-frame finish - which I assume was chosen to avoid the contentious (at the time) subject of depicting black Africans killing whites. David Millin's style is inevitably rather dated by modern standards - even by 1970 the South African film industry was pretty isolated from the rest of the wold - but his films deserve a wider audience because they delve into little-known aspects of southern African history. This film doesn't quite have the power of 'Zulu' - a similar theme - but has touches that once or twice come close. 1:08:36
David Millin ASC was one of my career mentors and aside from being the first South African to be awarded the ASC, he is not that well known outside of South Africa, sadly.
A brilliant movie.
G'Day,I read that book many years ago, reread it in lockdown and have just found it again, brilliant,a very good read ! PS Fanfare by Andrew Macallan and The Last Hero by Peter Forbath similar stories based on Truth!
Just discovered the film. I love the music. Thank you for posting it, today such films aren't made anymore.
Edit: Just found out that you're the autor. Wow! You should really be proud of yourself. I will show this film to my friends.
Great film never seen it before
I have watched this movie many years ago, it's a shame that Southern African history is all but non-existent or "uninteresting" to the American general public. The parallels of history that run between both Southern Africa & North America, are much, much closer than the vast majority of people know.
My time there was unforgettable, the "feeling of actually being home" when crossing the Limpopo was overwhelming.
If there are any "budding" screenwriters out there searching for material, I can point you to the 24-vol. "Rhodesiana Reprint Library Silver Series books printed by The Rhodesia Printing Company(1975)". You'll find much inspiration there. From the period between 1487-1981 is especially ripe with plenty of "adventure & drama".
Thank you for your wonderful "score"! You certainly should have had world-wide success. You're very, very talented...
Surprised to see Will Hutchins in this movie.i remember watching him in the early 60's TV series Sugarfoot.
Brave men and died fighting 👌
If you look carefully, the Maxims don’t actually fire anything. They just had actors traverse them left and right.
Hmm.....maybe those people were just pretending to get shot?
@@theflamingone8729 I mean this film was produced in the early 70s, and war films from the west and the pact countries and China used blanks since that was a basic expectation. Rhodesia obviously had an embargo, so they did not have time to make blanks.
@@jeffli1243 thankyou, I thought it was just because of their budget.
While I was in Harrare / Salisbury ) in 1985 there was a plaque on one of the walls near the centre of town that read: "on this spot in (exact date forgotten) 1896 the Shangani Patrol gathered together "(or words to that effect). I often wonder if that plaque is still there. Anybody know? Please let me know.
What a great movie. This move deserves a remake, but keeping the same 'Spaghetti Western' score.
When men were truly men. The 1893 bsap mounties were tough as nails. They died heroically. If only they could see what Rhodesia is now. They would spin in their graves
They would spin enough to bring back reliable electricity to the whole country!
Michael - thanks for posting. Good, well shot film and very good, rousing score. Bit puzzled why you didn't do any more film scores after 1975 (five years after this film) - there were still films being made in South Africa after that date. I'd have thought they would have been snapping you up.
A very interesting film. Never knew anything about this period of British colonial history. Of course they have taken some license with the plot.
This is quite Interesting..I never knew there was a film on the war between the British settlers and the Matebele.
They weren't settlers, they were members of the British SA Company which later became the BSAP.
Something was bothering me all along in this movie. Dawns on me that the hat brims are all pinned on the left - the wrong side for a right-handed rifleman. Almost missed that trivial detail.
They were pinned to the left, look at pictures of mounted volunteer units from that period.
Yes even today, if you look at the Australian Army they wear the slouch hat with the left side up. This in part was to allow for a weapon and bayonet to stand beyond the brim of a hat.
Alan Wilson and his men was the bravest men in the birth of Rhodesia. This 34 brave men killed 500 matabele warriors before they was killed.
Good film.
great movie thanks for the upload..
Fantastic Movie.
Thank you so much for uploading this treasure... I've searched half the inet for a stream/DL before my lazy mind came to the brilliant Idea to take a look @yt itself.😅😣🙄
Great music. Brave men on both sides killed by bad leaders and crooks. If only humans could stop killing each other over such petty insignificant things.
The killing didn't stop after Mugabe took over. He ordered that the 5th Brigade (a North Korean trained unit) attack Nkomo supporters in Matabeleland and over 20,000 were killed. Many villages were totally destroyed and I won't say what else was done. Mugabe also stole a reported $900 million to $1 billion from the Zimbabwean economy and single-handedly destroyed what was even up until 1975 one of the strongest economies in Africa.
I cannot help but think that the native won but in the end lost all to corruption. What a country it could have been the bread basket of Africa it just needed a tolerant visionary.
Under British Imperialism, over the one hundred years between 1850 to 1950, the African population multiplied 10 fold. The British improved every country they colonized and we are proud of doing so. White people have nothing to feel guilty about. Every post-colonial country in Africa is degenerating back into the stone-age where they were before white people first entered the interior of Africa.
Today in Africa, the post-colonial independent black governments abuse and exploit their own black people far worse than the previous white colonial governments. The 5th President of Zambia Michael Sata said, “We want the Chinese to leave and the old colonial rulers to return. They exploited our natural resources too, but at least they took good care of us. They built schools, taught us their language and brought us British civilization. At least western capitalism has a human face; the Chinese are only out to exploit us”.
You're a bold face lie. Just say you're racist lol
Very well said. But of course many people just love to label the British as the racist white oppressors.
Nice movie!
It is refreshing to see that the movie was made in Rhodesia not Zimbabwe. Love it
Nice. Thanks You.
I thought that the ndebele did not know how to use rifles in battle
Fantastic score is it available anywhere? And fact is these early pioneers were tough brave souls whose endeavours ultimately helped Africans, with healthcare, education and infrastructure. Interesting movie and thank you so much for posting.
Tf you just say. Just ignorant asf
Thank you for posting this. An entertaining representation of our pioneering past which like most of it now lies buried and forgotten. Anyone know if the Monument erected to the Shangani Patrol still exists?
It does still exist
Indeed, we were pioneers. Would be interesting to live in those times.
❤ hail Rhodesia, hail South Afrika
Make Zimbabwe, Rhodesia again.
Why do the good guys always loose
I did not see your name on the music credits Robin Bronkhorst? I remember Eddie Calvert, we had his record in the 50's and then I met him in Johannesburg in 1966. Love the movie and music!
Thanks this is not the type of story you see much in the US - reminds me a lot of a western
One basic flaw: where's Allan Wilson's huge mustache? Too troublesome for the actor to wear in that climate? And BTW: is u is love interest authentic?
Will Hutchins played Sugarfoot on USA television.
Sorry Alfredo, there were never subtitles to thus movie.
Say what u will about british colonization. Allan Wilson and his men died bravely they will always be heros in Britain.
Rhodesia....r.i.p....courtesy of the communist united nations
Long Live Sir Alan Burns!!! & Sugarfoot!!!
Anyone here from watching 5RR?
Truthfully Said Truth Be Told I am Not Afraid 😟
Ndebele people didn’t have long spears neither did they throw spears
RIP Ian Yule.
31:26 Солдаты играют в чехарду. Фильм зрелищный,мне понравился,хотя без русского перевода.
Ndebeles were brave
Ndebele were brave. Shona were brave. Zulus were brave.
@@RykerRider46what about Xhosa?
@lozaqg1690 what about them??
Boers had 7 mm Mausers why would they use Marti Henrys
Because they weren't Boers, many of them were English.
Is the court recording at the start an original recording or acted?
The drawings are real but the recording is acted: it you listen carefully, you hear Adrian Steed's voice and Stuart Brown's voice.
Where can we buy this film on dvd
'' And watch out for the broken glass on your way out''.
The title of the movie is so interesting but I haven't had a shangani word spoken what was the movie all about ?
The film is about the 1893 Battle of the Shangani River between the British South Africa Company (which later became the BSAP) and the warriors of King Lobengula.
Shangani is a river just outside Bulawayo
limpopo to zambezi 😨 thats whole of zims
Awesome, the music is just super! Do you still compose?
My father Peter Jackson was in this movie. I would love to know where to get a copy
It was never officially released on DVD: the one which is available is a bootleg from a VHS tape.
It skips a huge bit of the actual story, the joining up with the Salisbury Column at Iron Mine, the battles of Shangani and Bembesi and the occupation of Bulawayo. It only gives the beginning and the end. Unfortunate.
It is called Shangani Patrol for a reason, I suppose it's just trying to show the heroism of the few, because a handful of chaps fighting off hundreds is more in keeping with the pioneer spirit than thousands being systematically mowed down by maxim guns!
@@joewilson3575 Rather that than the genocide and slavery the Matabele had committed on their own and other tribes then and would have done to the whites had they been allowed to get away with it. Then it was winner takes all, now it is a little different wouldn't you agree? Although after the whites left, it immediately returned to genocide of that there is now no denial.
Do you still live in South Africa? Nice movie by the way.
Hi Jeff - I'm no longer in SA. I have retired to Norfolk in the UK. Glad you liked the movie - it's rather dated in style now. I'd love to get copies of some of the other movies I scored for RPM films especially Die Voortrekkers.
@@MichaelHankinson I'm sorry you had to leave your home, especially after giving up so much to stay. You definitely could have had a big career in Hollywood. Things are such a mess in SA now that I think leaving was the right move. A writer/director on RUclips has gotten the rights back to most of his work, he might be able to help. Here is his channel, he's an approachable guy. ruclips.net/user/tinostruckmann
Is that Alan Watts voice in the very beginning?
No, Adrian Steed and Stuart Brown.
It's a shame no VCs were awarded.
This movie needs remaking…..
Now this was quite an enjoyable film. Unfortunately, too many commenters seem to be deluded regarding British imperialism.
Oh shut up. Under British Imperialism, over the one hundred years between 1850 to 1950, the African population multiplied 10 fold. The British improved every country they colonized and we are proud of doing so. White people have nothing to feel guilty about. Every post-colonial country in Africa is degenerating back into the stone-age where they were before white people first entered the interior of Africa.
Today in Africa, the post-colonial independent black governments abuse and exploit their own black people far worse than the previous white colonial governments. The 5th President of Zambia Michael Sata said, “We want the Chinese to leave and the old colonial rulers to return. They exploited our natural resources too, but at least they took good care of us. They built schools, taught us their language and brought us British civilization. At least western capitalism has a human face; the Chinese are only out to exploit us”.
@@dreamdiction was this message such a masterpiece it needed copy and pasting everywhere?
@@joewilson3575 please copy/paste wherever you wish.
@@dreamdiction I'm saying you have committed the sin of pride, not that I think your pro-colonial copy pasta is any good.
@@joewilson3575 Everything I said is factual so your opinion only exists in your own mind. We are proud of our colonial achievements, it is you who ruined post-colonial Africa so you should be ashamed of how you wastefully squandered the developed systems and infrastructure we gifted to you. You are guilty of the sin of shamelessness, today you would want us to come back and rebuild everything which you destroyed but you still want to criticize colonization because you are ungrateful beggars.
what were they doing in Alkebulan??
Dang, you made this?
In memory of all great fighters who died here, and of course to the English too!
me encantaría ver estas peliculas traducidas al español o con subtítulos en español, me apasiona la colonización blanca en el sur de África
1880 -1980
interesting and compelling story. the main charater made a number of mistakes. he should of turned back when they encountered the woman and children and later they should've turned back in the morning instead of trying to arrest the king. i mean the king was fleeing, he outnumbered them but didn't attack. the king was letting them off the hook in a no win situation, i mean take a hint and leave dude.
Guys plz help me to find the name of a desert war movie where they scan the eye of the terrorist son to reveal his fathers identity at the end a suicide female bomber hugs the president and they explode together