User reviews

The movie "Faith Like Potatoes" was excellent on several levels. First, the story itself, while heart wrenching, was inspiring. Remember the movie "Chariots of Fire"? Well, "Faith Like Potatoes" is about 10 times more evangelistic, 100 times more heart wrenching, and every bit as inspiring. Some will find the clear presentation of the gospel to be a turnoff. But others will appreciate the unflinching presentation of characters who have obvious flaws and struggles- especially struggles with faith in God.

Secondly, "Faith Like Potatoes" is about South Africans and it was made by South Africans. The sometimes uncomfortable tensions between racial groups in South Africa are not glossed over. But neither are they a focus of the movie. This is just everyday life in South Africa. The tensions in the backdrop of the movie enhance and even explain the drama as it unfolds.

Thirdly, the photography in "Faith Like Potatoes" was wonderful. The cinematography took full advantage of the fact that the setting lends itself quite naturally to stunning vistas and beautifully rugged terrain.

So why give the film an 8 rather than a 10? Two reasons: There were some scenes where the supporting actors were a bit flat and there were a few times when the plot did not flow smoothly (or quite make sense). But overall, this was an excellent film.

I compared "Faith Like Potatoes" to the movie "Chariots of Fire" because they have a similar use of words. I.e. they both use words very sparingly. They attempted to SHOW faith at work in someone's life rather than tell about it. And I think they succeeded.

I'm sure those of you who have been fortunate enough to watch this film have found it very touching and at times painfully honest. Faith Like Potatoes centers around the building of faith as something tangible and real - like a potato. There is no hiding the fact that this is a film with very strong Christian content so be prepared to be exposed to the truth of Jesus! The film may not be outstanding from the acting and screenplay side, but it more than makes up for this with its emotion and intensity. I found myself empathizing throughout as I have had first-hand experience of African farm life and the lifestyle and people in South Africa. I think it will be hard for someone who does not understand these facets of Africa to grasp the imagery and emotional tools used in the film; nevertheless I think that this film will provide every person with their very own experience that will keep them thinking about it long after the credits have stopped rolling.

If at all possible try to get hold of Angus Buchan's book by the same name. It is a must read! If anything, the book and/or the film will change the way you see your spiritual life and open your eyes to a new way of thinking that is not only exciting, but fulfilling. A great movie!!

PROS

+ Great testimony of the conversion of a racist farmer in Africa.

+ Good actors.

+ Beautiful scene of his conversion.

+ Authentic display of the struggle and the hard labor of farmers.

NEUTRAL o It is very much appreciated that the movie includes some sequences of conversations in the Zulu language. But it is inadequate that those sequences do not offer subtitles.

O The mircles of the healing of the woman, the rain upon the wildfire and the crops seem somehow over the top, but are perfectly possible with THEOS. There is also a healthy balance when the child dies and no supernatural resurrection is even intended.

CONS

• Intentional promotion of divisive denominationalism (Methodist Church).

• He preached in de-facto women's clothing.

• He preached only a few weeks or months after his conversion, but the Bible rather models 3 years of discipleship before going into the world (see the example of JESUS, but necessarily descriptive).

• The conversion appears only as lip service, no baptism is shown nor any display of active repentance towards those whom he verbally and physically abused.

Addendum 15/12/2024: This movie includes many scenes which have the potential of creating doubts in weak believers. Its producer 'Frans Cronjé' has also created the movie 'Born to Win' which includes a nearly identical pattern of alcoholism and rebellion leading to conversion and a pastor. 'Born to Win is highly problematic in regards of very rebellious language towards THEOS, desecreates a copy of the Bible and shows 3 female angels.

What a wonderful, heartwarming movie. The characters are genuine and can be identified with. It is an inspirational story leaving one with hope and faith. It does not matter what hardship you are facing, or how impossible a situation looks, if you have faith you will get through it. This does not mean that there will be no pain, in fact the pain is very real and dealing with it is extremely difficult, but not impossible.Our Father God is great and the message of the movie emphasis es that, without forcing it down anyone's throat. Exceptionally well-done Regardt van den Bergh and your cast. I saw the movie 3 times, and will see it again. May God bless everyone involved with the movie, as well as the real Buchan family. I trust that each and every South African will see this movie. If we can all master Angus Buchan's faith and attitude, we will at last see God's peace in South Africa.

This post apartheid film from South Africa concerns a family of white farmers who've been kicked off their land in Zambia and have now settled in the Natal province of South Africa on an abandoned farm there. Even after being warned by some of the unreconstructed Boers to watch out for the native Zulus both Frank Rautenbach and Jeanne Neilson settle there and face a lot of hardships and one unspeakable tragedy. But their faith yields a harvest just like the potatoes they're growing on their land.

Faith Like Potatoes is a Christian film to be sure. But in can be seen by more skeptical audiences without too much complaint. In fact the Mandela and post Mandela South Africa has seen an inclusive government, reconciling even some people that Christians might object to.

I'd recommend this except to the most irreligious in the audience.

I went into Faith Like Potatoes expecting to see a below average movie with shoddy acting and the typical "beat-around-the-bush", "lets-not-step-on-toes" storyline. Yet I got quite the opposite!!! The performances of Frank Rautenbach and Hamilton Dlamini were especially astounding and had me eagerly awaiting their next appearance. The setting is really beautiful with good cinematography to boot; what really impressed me though was the boldness of this film in stating what they believe and not beating around the bush or making any attempt at "sugar coating"! I really recommend that you see it, it gives one pleasant respite from all the gloom in most movies and will inspire one to reach for greater heights in all aspects of life! Enjoy!!

RELEASED IN 2006 and directed by Regardt van den Bergh, "Faith like Potatoes" is a drama based on the life of Angus Buchan in the late 70s who moved his family from the political unrest of Zambia to eastern South Africa to start a maize farm. Buchan (Frank Rautenbach) and his family/employees (Jeanne Neilson and Hamilton Dlamini) face many challenges in their new home as Angus eventually feels led by faith to grow potatoes despite a severe drought.

The documentary-like tone is similar to other African autobiographies like "I Dreamed of Africa" (2000) and "Nowhere in Africa" (2001), except with the added faith element. I've never heard of Buchan, but he went on to become a fairly significant South African evangelist (with a TV show). The movie focuses on his humble beginnings, his eventual conversion to Christ and service thereof but, surprisingly, the faith element doesn't even come to the fore until about the halfway point, which is when the film finally gets interesting.

Speaking of which, being based on an autobiography, the story lacks the compelling drive of the typical three-act script in preference for real-life mundaneness. Those other two films had the same issue. Yet this can be refreshing in that the movie just shows the way it was without resorting to exaggeration like, say, Oliver Stone's "The Doors" (1991), which opted for sensationalist (eye-rolling) mythmaking and contains utter fabrications.

Of course critics argue that this movie ALSO conveys mythmaking fabrications and, furthermore, that the theology is contradictory and troublesome. Does it? Is it? I don't think so, but I'm not going to explain because it would take too long and, besides, the answers are in the flick in a subdued way. Watch it, reflect on it and make your own call.

THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour 56 minutes and was shot in South Africa. WRITERS: Angus Buchan (book) and Regardt van den Bergh (screenplay).

GRADE: B-/C+

It is a really inspiring and heart-touching story told in this movie, but the production of it is not very professional. It did strength my faith as a child and didn't think critically of production until I became older.

I am only 30, so I do not have a huge amount of films to talk about, but I have to say, I have never been as touched by any film, as I have been by this one! Francois Rautenbach impressed me so much! His performance was absolutely astounding! It is a pity that films with Christain themes tend to fade in the light of large Hollywood movies, but if you give them a chance, you will find a heart and spirit, that few big budget movies can ever create! The cinematography is amazing, and the music is like silk. What more could a movie goer ask for than brilliant acting, brilliant cinematography and brilliant music? It might be a South African tale, but it is more a story of how one man finds God in a world where he cannot find anything...his life was as dry as the barren land he tried to farm, and with a little faith in the Lord, his life, like his farm, become a place where great things can take form! So, no matter who you are, or where you live, this film will touch you and teach you that faith can move mountains.

"Potatoes" is nothing more than a publicity vehicle for yet another televangelist; this time with a 'miracle-farmer' angle. With a cast drawn from local soap operas, the film proceeds horizontally, and fails in its credibility to portray Angus Buchan as a heroic figure. The Christian fundamentalist undertones reveal it to be not a film, but comfort food to be gorged by the insecure lower-middle class who revel in the likes of faith healing. The audience can only wince at the director and actor's combined efforts at on-screen emotion. Its only merit is the scenery of the location in southern Africa but even this is undermined by amateurish cinematography.

I was sad to read the rather narrow and cynical view of one other person on this website, who seemed more interested in Hollywood glitz than real stories of real human lives being affected by a real God. I'd say a few commenters completely missed the message of this film. The story is well-balanced in addressing both the childlike faith that boldly receives miracles, as well as the hope and trust that gets one through life's most painful tests -- those times when it's hard to understand where God is in the midst of personal devastation. Sadly, there are even cynical Christians (demonstrated by the comments of a few on this site) who struggle with believing that God does ALWAYS comes through for us, even if the result doesn't always look like we thought it should.

I'm frankly tired of Hollywood "hype" movies that are only someone's fanciful imagination about life, or what someone wishes about life, or someone's cynicism about life -- though imaginative, fictional, art forms can be marvelously inspiring as well. But the best and most refreshing movies I've seen lately, like this one, have been true stories about ordinary people whose genuine faith in God changes their lives & the lives of those around them. Having grown up in the Southern USA under the last days of segregation and race riots, I found a film that includes the overcoming of racism as an important sub-plot still badly needed in this generation today. (That alone makes the film worthwhile, even for avowed atheists who at least recognize the evil of racism.)

The overall message that simple faith is more powerful than logic, personal ability, or common sense alone is one badly needed today by a self-worshiping, post-modern society that has become far too cynical & proud.

Well then this movie is for you! If you ever wanted to vindicate your internal racism and need to believe that black people are lazy and need to have White Christians dominate them then you should watch this feel good movie for the person who just likes to kick back and relax while wearing a white hood.

A faith inspiring film.

People are searching for answers and this shows how to find them. Watch this film with an open mind and it could change your life.

The film is well produced, well acted and has a good script.

The one criticism of it is it's pace which feels a bit "African" by which I mean slow. But it is an African film so we can't complain to much.

A fine piece of work, that's totally based on fact, even if the events that unfold seem "unbelievable" and hard to grasp.

Franky does a good job of portraying the farmer, Angus, who's life the film is about.

Really worth watching, stick out the pace and you will be rewarded

As a born-again Christian, I found the movie quite moving! It made me realise that we need to trust God more, have more faith as Angus Buchan has.

I think that all the actors were great and true to the characters that they were portraying. It was great to see how they made use of the natural beauty of Kwa-Zulu Natal in all aspects of the movie.

If the man on the street had an ounce of faith of what Angus Buchan has, we would see more miracles.

This movie needs to watched with an open mind. If you have expect nothing from this movie, then you will get nothing. This is a Christian movie.

It saddens me to see what others had written. If people have done their research, they would know that this movie is based on a true story and not something out of someone's imagination.