Movies About South Africa

Updated May 1, 2024

So many directors have talked about Movies About South Africa. Here are 14 of the best ones.

Blood Diamond (2006)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From Edward Zwick, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly, Kagiso Kuypers
Rated R

Blood Diamond is a 2006 film directed by Edward Zwick and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The story follows Danny Archer (DiCaprio), a former mercenary from Zimbabwe, and Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou), a Mende fisherman from Sierra Leone, who join forces to recover a rare diamond that has the power to transform their lives. The diamond is valuable to both Danny and Solomon, but the stakes are even higher for Solomon, as his family has been torn apart by the civil war in Sierra Leone and he hopes to use the stone to reunite them. Along the way, they are pursued by a ruthless mercenary, Colonel Coetzee (Arnold Vosloo), as well as others who seek to benefit from the diamond. As they search for the diamond, they come to realize the true cost of war and the preciousness of freedom.

District 9 (2009)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From Neill Blomkamp, starring Sharlto Copley, David James, Jason Cope, Nathalie Boltt
Rated R

District 9 is an action-packed sci-fi movie directed by Neill Blomkamp in 2009. Set in Johannesburg, South Africa, the plot follows a government agency as they forcibly move a population of extraterrestrials to a makeshift slum on the fringes of the city. The aliens, known as "prawns," are treated as second-class citizens and the situation rapidly deteriorates into a full-blown conflict between the aliens and humans. As the story progresses, Wikus, a government official in charge of the relocation project, is infected by alien DNA and must go on a journey to save himself, and come to terms with his newfound identity. At its core, District 9 is a powerful allegory about the effects of racism and xenophobia in society.

Breaker Morant (1980)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Bruce Beresford, starring Edward Woodward, Jack Thompson, John Waters, Bryan Brown
Rated PG

Breaker Morant is a 1980 Australian war drama directed by Bruce Beresford and starring Edward Woodward, Jack Thompson and Bryan Brown. The film follows the court-martial of Australian lieutenants Harry "Breaker" Morant, Peter Handcock and George Witton during the Second Boer War in South Africa. The three soldiers are accused of murdering surrendered prisoners of war and sentenced to death by firing squad. As the trial progresses, the story reveals a complex web of politics and military bureaucracy, depicting a wide range of characters from the British Army, including a sympathetic major and a ruthless colonel. Ultimately, the three Australian lieutenants are forced to stand trial and suffer the consequences of their actions. The film is an exploration of loyalty, justice, and morality, as well as a powerful commentary on the brutality of war.

Zulu (1964)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Cy Endfield, starring Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth
Rated Not Rated

Zulu is a 1964 British epic war film depicting the Battle of Rorke's Drift between the British Army and the Zulus in January 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu War. The film depicts 150 British soldiers, many of whom were sick and wounded patients in a field hospital, who successfully held off a force of 4,000 Zulu warriors. Lieutenant John Chard (Stanley Baker) and Gonville Bromhead (Michael Caine) are given the task of defending the small station at Rorke's Drift. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the British use superior weapons and tactics to repel wave after wave of the Zulu attackers. Ultimately, the British are victorious, but at a great cost. The film also follows the stories of the individual soldiers and their struggle to survive against the odds.