Silverton Siege

Considering it's a low budget, This movie it's amazing, in the way of creation with intriguing camera directing and acting was pretty good.

Don't watch if you except something extraordinary, just try to enjoy the movie the way it is.

In the film was mentioned the name of Nelsom Mandela, Rest in Peace..

The armorer got it correct.

They start at Watloo, near Mamalodi yes BUT next to Silverton, the bank in movie is in Church Square (8-10km far). OK, given the decline of Silverton etc, period Bank would be @ Church Square, chosen to give a jab.

I must say the Brig had it right when he referred to the terrorists as not being people, if you ever had loved ones or friends affected by any terrorist action, you will understand.

A terrorist attacks civilians, this is what the bombs planted did, killed civilians. Tis is also why Manela was in prison for, NOT for wanting to bring change but the bombs he planted, helped plant, help plan. Killing numerous civilians.

Good movie very very very loosely based on events, with some glorification and vilification for spice.

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Silverton Siege

On 25 January 1980 three MK Cadres (MK the militant wing of the then ANC Terrorist orginisation) - Stephen Mafoko, Humphrey Makhubo and Wilfred Madela - were allegedly on their way to carry out a planned MK sabotage mission on petrol depots at Watloo near Mamelodi. En route, 'the Trio' realised they were being tailed by the police. In an attempt to escape, they took refuge in a branch of Volkskas Bank in Silverton, Pretoria. They held 25 civilians in the bank hostage, making a number of demands, including a meeting with State President Vorster, the release of Nelson Mandela and a man called Mange, as well as R100 000 in cash and an aircraft to fly them to Maputo.

After a series of negotiations, which included the police handing food over to the cadres and hostages, a police unit stormed the bank and all three cadres were killed by the police. Two civilians, Valerie Anderson and Anna de Klerk, were killed and many others were wounded in the shootout.

The Six Hour Siege

Sequence of events as reported by the media

12.00 - 1:15:

The armed Trio enter the Volkskas Bank; eyewitness accounts vary as to the exact time.

The cadres take 25 civilians in the bank hostage, moving them into a corner cubicle.

1:30 - 06:00:

As the focus of the siege is on the ground floor, bank staff on the upper floor manage to escape the building. However bank accountant, Andre Theron, stays behind in hiding.

Members of the Police Anti-Terrorist Unit gain access to the Barclays Bank building nearby. The team set up surveillance equipment, enabling them to monitor what was happening in the Volkskas bank through a periscope and record every sound by means of a tape recorder and microphone.

Captain C. J. de Swardt and Brigadier L. Neethling negotiate with the Trio.

Later two hostages are released carrying notes outlining the Trio's demands.

The Trio sing freedom songs to keep up their moral and remain focussed.

Police gain access to the basement of the bank - using a stairway out of sight. They make their way to the first floor and to Andre Theron. The police are now able to overlook the scene.

Approximately 6.30:

Police appear prepared to act. Police Commissioner, General Mike Geldenhuys, orders the immediate area to be cleared.

Ambulances move closer to the scene and a large crowd of onlookers is ordered to move further away.

7.05:

The first burst of gunfire is heard.

It is unclear if MK cadre Stephen Mafoko opened fire when he realised the police were in the building, or if the police fired first.

Humphrey Makhubo and Wilfred Madela are killed swiftly, but Mafoko continues firing at the police, throwing a hand grenade. Willie Grobler, a teller, grabs the grenade and tries to throw it away. But it explodes, injuring hostages.

Police gun down Mafoko. The Trio die on the scene.

The injured are rushed to the H. F. Verwoerd hospital nearby. Hostage, Valerie Anderson, dies on the scene. Hostage, Anna de Klerk, dies hours later in hospital.

In the month following the Siege, Police arrested nine ANC members. All nine were part of the June 16 detachment, a generation of MK recruits thrown up by the Soweto Revolt of 1976.

The movie was doing was pretty good, but after I read what really happened, I was disappointed. They could have followed the actual events and the movie would have been even better.

When I first saw the ratings of this movie - I was shocked to see why such a good movie has gotten bad ratings.

Why are the people upset ?

I instantly understood what could be the problem.

It was the fact that the movie is based on actual events.

Upon research, using materials published by the media. I found that the movie had presented a different story than that which actually took place.

But it is also often said that, history is written by victors.

I do not know of the actual events that transpired.

The movie is actually good, with some great acting by Thabo Rametsi and Arnold Vosloo.

Seeing that this movie is a touchy subject to some people because of the event and the groups involved, and the difference of opinion on what actually took place that day. It is unfortunate, that this movie will suffer because of the negative ratings that it will receive.

But at the same time, being an outsider. Seeing this movie unbiased, I understand both the sides.

Silverton Siege is a South African film partially based on a true story that raises questions about freedom, slavery and injustice. Composed of a script that takes certain creative licenses when narrating the story, but that is far beyond being a film about the search for freedom.

Silverton Siege chronicles the events that accidentally triggered the "Nelson Mandela Freedom Movement. An emotional film full of feelings of justice and liberation. With outstanding performances and a fairly acceptable editing, the film is permeated by constant tension and by the unbridled rhythm of a group of people who find themselves involved in a spiral where everything seems to be getting worse. An unmissable and indispensable story.

"It always seems impossible until it's done, Silverton Siege uses certain licenses to tell a story that deserves to be told"