The Fourth Reich (documentary)
The Fourth Reich (El Cuarto Reich), is a 1990 South African biographical drama film directed by Manie van Rensburg and co-produced by Gert Basson, Mark Jaffee, David Selvan, Bill Shapter and Reg Wessels for Zastron Films.[1][2] The film stars an ensemble cast where Ryno Hattingh played the lead role as Robey Leibbrandt along with Marius Weyers, Grethe Fox and Percy Sieff in supportive roles with many more South African popular dramatists.[3][4]
| The Fourth Reich | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Manie van Rensburg |
| Produced by | Gert Basson Mark Jaffee David Selvan Bill Shapter Reg Wessels |
| Based on | real events |
| Starring | Ryno Hattingh Marius Weyers Grethe Fox Percy Sieff |
| Music by | Louis van Rensburg |
| Cinematography | Dewald Aukema |
| Edited by | Nena Olwage |
| Distributed by | Thames Television |
Release date | 10 August 1990 (South Africa) |
Running time | 183 min. |
| Country | South Africa |
| Language | English |
| Budget | ZAR 16,000,000 |
The film revolves around the life Robey Leibbrandt, a South African boxer. He participated to the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin and fascinated with Nazi ideology and became Abwehr agent for the Third Reich. With that, he led an operation to overthrow the pro-Allied government and assassinate General Jan Smuts In 1939. It is the South Africa’s most expensive film in cinema history.[5]
The film received positive reviews and won screened at many international film festivals.[6]
Plot
- Ryno Hattingh as Robey Leibbrandt
- Marius Weyers as Jan Taillard
- Grethe Fox as Erna Dorfman
- Percy Sieff as Louis Esselen
- Elize Cawood as Romy Taillard
- Pierre Knoesen as Dice Lotter
- Ian Roberts as Johannes van der Walt
- Marcel van Heerden as Hendrik Erasmus
- Louis van Niekerk as General Smuts
- James Borthwick as Sidney Cohen
- Keith Grenville as Pierre van Ryneveld
- Sandra Kotzé as Mrs. Leibbrandt
- Annabel Linder as Nadia Cohen
- Tertius Meintjes as Doors Erasmus
- Ernest Ndlovu as Sipho
- Eric Nobbs as Hennie Schoeman
- Brian O'Shaughnessy as Major Ellis
- Dan Robbertse as Kalie Theron
- Cobus Rossouw as Dr. Hans van Rensburg
- Ron Smerczak as General Karlowa
- Carel Trichardt as Meyder Leibbrandt
- James White as Major Hattingh
- Christine Basson as Kiosk Lady
- Will Bernard as Barman
- Pieter Brand as Pat Jerling
- Kerneels Coertzen as Van Rensburg burly
- Vanessa Cooke as Wanda Stander
- Michael Copley as Kruger
- Crispin De Nuys as Captain Nissen
- Gideon De Wet as Policeman
- Anton Dekker as Fourie
- Frantz Dobrowsky as Shelver
- Wilson Dunster as Charlie Vosloo
- Ernst Eloff as Beetge
- Annette Engelbrecht as Ouma Smuts
- Bill Flynn as Boxing Doctor
- Adrian Galley as Hansie
- Ben Kruger as Oosthuizen
- Greg Latter as Heckler
- Dale Lee as African Mirror
- Nico Liebenberg as Sgt Pauley
- Patrick Lyster as Sgt. Spengler
- Johan Niemandt as Wolmarans
- Deon Opperman as Van Rensburg burly
- Tjaart Potgieter as Lahousen
- Nicky Rebelo as Van Rensburg burly
- André Rossouw as Dominee
- Robin Smith as Sgt Meintjes
- Wilna Snyman as Soprano
- Wilma Stockenström as Mrs. Engelbrecht
- André Stolz as Saunders
- Richard van der Westhuizen as Hirsh
- Jan van Deventer as Steyn
- Pierre van Pletzen as Hertzog
- Eric van Rensburg as Judge
- Herbie Vermuellen as Michelot
- James Whyte as Snyman
- Andrew Worsdale as Joos Engelbrecht
References
- "The Fourth Reich". worldcat. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- "The Fourth Reich 1990". letterboxd. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- "Film Affinity". Amazon. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
- "The Fourth Reich? (1990)". British Film Institute. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
- "The Fourth Reich (1990)". newcelluloid. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
- "THE FOURTH REICH: Category: Edition 1994". Ente Autonomo Giffoni Experience. Retrieved 14 October 2020.