Rhodesian Bush War Films

Rhodesian Bush War Films of the Era

Rhodesian Bush War films are typically set between 1965 & 1979. Many are out of circulation but may be found as used items on your favourite buying site. TIP: If you are looking for something specific, set an alert to notify you when it’s listed on your favourite online market place. Some are available free of charge on video sharing platforms because they are no longer in circulation & might be made available for fair use or because they are in the public domain.

  • Albino (Whispering Death)

Albino-Film

Released in 1976, Albino was very topical & quickly reached cult status with the Rhodesian public. Terrick, a police officer (BSAP) is about to take early retirement, get married & settle on his farm. Terrorists attack his farm. One, an albino known as Whispering Death,  rapes then murders Terrick’s fiancée. Terrick & his farm workers led by Katchemu set about avenging this tragedy.

Terrick plans an ambush for the terrorist after receiving intel that he is meeting villagers to recruit / politicise them. The plan fails when shots are fired prematurely & civilians are injured. The government requires Terrick to account for his actions – People died, & the failed ambush caused tensions between the state & villagers during a sensitive time.

The manhunt is initially carried out by Terrick’s colleagues who sympathise with him, & would rather search for the albino guerrilla. A crack army unit is deployed and takes over the manhunt. Albino guides his gang to safety across the border. Katchemu, an expert tracker, helps Terrick to gather information through torture & guides him through bloody skirmishes until he is killed along with most of the guerrillas. The film reaches a climax when Terrick & Whispering Death face each other.

Sources : Wiki

Directed by Jürgen Goslar
Produced by Stefan Abendroth
Jürgen Goslar
Barrie Saint Clair
Written by Scott Finch
Jürgen Goslar
Based on The Whispering Death
by Daniel Carney
Starring Christopher Lee
James Faulkner
Trevor Howard
Sybil Danning
Horst Frank
Music by Erich Ferstl
Cinematography Wolfgang Treu
Edited by Richard Meyer
Distributed by Troma Entertainment
Release date
  • 1976
Running time
97 minutes
Country West Germany
United Kingdom
South Africa
Rhodesia
Language English

A work of fiction, based loosely on the accounts of women who fought in this liberation struggle.  The film is included here because it takes place during the Bush War that preceded the transition of Rhodesia to Zimbabwe.  It starts in 1975, & ends a year after independence. Links to a movie review.

Although out of circulation, it can be found on-line for those interested in looking – Flame (1996)

 

 

Citations: The graphic is Public Domain & needs no citation