Patrick Mynhardt Movies

Based on a novel by William Boyd (who also wrote the film's screenplay), this darkly witty drama explores the political, social, and sexual gamesmanship of a group of British and African politicians. Morgan Leafy (Colin Friels) is a British diplomat who, for the past three years, has been assigned to the British High Commission of Ninjana, an African nation slowly divesting itself of colonial rule. Leafy is an arrogant and frequently confused alcoholic romantically involved with an African woman named Hazel (Jackie Mofokeng). Arthur Fanshawe (John Lithgow), a new High Commission appointee who wants nothing more than to be promoted and moved out of Africa, brings some interesting news to Leafy: massive reserves of oil have been discovered in Ninjana, and if the British want to reap the full profits of this windfall, they will want to stay on the good side of Sam Adekunle (Louis Gossett Jr.), who in all likelihood will be the next president of Ninjana. However, something of a diplomatic crisis has come up; a native woman was struck by lightning in the courtyard of the High Commission's compound, and the locals insist that she cannot be moved until certain time-honored rituals have been performed. At a loss for advice, Leafy turns to Dr. Alex Murray (Sean Connery), a Scottish doctor who has been in Africa for 23 years and is one of the few people equally at ease with both the British colonials and the natives. However, Leafy doesn't seem so eager to seek out assistance in his romantic problems; while he's involved with Hazel, Leafy also finds himself dallying with Adekunle's wife Celia (Joanne Whalley-Kilmer) and Fanshawe's wife Chloe (Diana Rigg). By the way, don't bother looking for Ninjana on a map -- it doesn't really exist. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

The Emissary is a second-echelon knock-off of The Ambassador (1984), itself a reworking of Elmore Leonard's 52 Pick-Up. While in Africa on a goodwill tour, an American politician and his wife are victimized by Soviet spies. Threatening to reveal horrible secrets about the politician's past, the Russians insist that he turn over top-secret documents. But this could trigger a nuclear war, so a lot of heavy soul-searching is in order. Robert Vaughn is the biggest "name" in the largely European and South Africa cast. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Tom Reed (Kenneth Gilman) is a University of Florida ornithologist whose interest in vultures causes him to be mistaken for an international secret agent know as "vulture man." With his former flame and neighbor Kimberly Blake (Brenda Bakke), Tom is tracked by the CIA, the KGB, and African drug runners throughout the dark continent. The duo tries to survive in this low-budget comedy spy thriller. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

This film depicts the events prior to the devastating conflict that occurred in 1879 when British soldiers were held siege by thousands of Zulu warriors. Fifteen hundred soldiers were killed in the epic battle. This film portrays the tensions existing between the tribal factions and the British invaders. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide

African Rage is a comparatively little-known political thriller, set in an African hospital. Top-billed Anthony Quinn plays a male nurse, assigned to care for a powerful tribal leader (Simon Sabela). With many threats against his well-being, the leader is heavily guarded around the clock. But Quinn manages to kidnap his patient, leading to a series of curious and occasionally confusing plot twists. African Rage was completed in South Africa in 1976 as Tigers Don't Cry, but not put into general American release for nearly nine years. Other alternate titles include Target of an Assassin, The Long Shot, and Fatal Assassin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Set in South Africa during 1941, this war drama chronicles the battle waged by British troops trying to defeat the invading Italian army. Grossly outnumbered, a courageous British lieutenant enacts a daring and potentially catastrophic scheme. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this western-style film, set in South Africa, circa the late 1900s, a local police sergeant finds himself pursued by the "The Hellions"--a man and his four sons. Unfortunately for the sergeant, the townspeople will not help to save him and his wife. He ignores his wife's plea that he quit his job and leave. After some time, he finally forces a storekeeper to assist him. Soon the rest of the townsfolk begin lending their assistance. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide