 | |
List Price: $9.98 | | Label: Warner Home Video
Salesrank: 6792
Released: June 22, 1999 |
| Our Price: $3.85 |
| Used Price: $3.21 |
|
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
|
Editorial Review:
The Power of One is an intriguing story of a young English boy named P.K. and his passion for changing the world. Growing up he suffered as the only English boy in an Afrikaans school. Soon orphaned, he was placed in the care of a German national named Professor von Vollensteen (a.k.a. "Doc"), a friend of his grandfather. Doc develops P.K.'s piano talent and P.K. becomes "assistant gardener" in Doc's cactus garden. It is not long after WWII begins that Doc is placed in prison for failure to register with the English government as a foreigner. P.K. makes frequent visits and meets Geel Piet, an inmate, who teaches him to box. Geel Piet spreads the myth of the Rainmaker, the one who brings peace to all of the tribes. P.K. is cast in the light of this myth. After the war P.K. attends an English private school where he continues to box. He meets a young girl, Maria, with whom he falls in love. Her father, Professor Daniel Marais, is a leader of the Nationalist Party of South Africa. The two fight to teach the natives English as P.K.'s popularity grows via the myth. Maria is killed. P.K. looses focus until he sees the success of his language school among the tribes. He and Guideon Duma continue the work in hopes of building a better future for Africa.
The Power of One Reviews:
The Power of One 
2009-09-29 -
A very good adaptation of the events that transpired in South Africa. Many similarities could be made for the modern day. Excellent acting by all involved.I always love Morgan Freeman as he adds so much depth to a film
Very Disappointing 
2009-08-10 - If you've not read the book, you'll find this movie to be a disjoint, contrived, poorly acted and moralistic B movie. If you've read the book, you'll wish you never saw the movie, if you even recognize the two as related.
It's amazing that a director can illicit mediocre performances from Morgan Freeman and John Gielgud. Gielgud is actually barely in the movie despite being listed third on the cover. Yet the three scenes he is in are awkward, out of context, and included only to introduce banal platitudes that weren't even in the original story. The little guy that plays young PeeKay is cute and easily likable, but he has two facial expressions, and the happy one is clearly faked. The "actor" playing the older PeeKay seems straight out of the local high school musical, as believable as a plastic plant.
The most compelling aspects of the novel, the characters and the relationships, were entirely missing from the screenplay. Doc, who aside from PeeKay is the novel's most unique and interesting character, who imbued the story with much of its magic, and whose intimate and symbiotic relationship with PeeKay was a central theme of the novel, is reduced to a tutor who is functional rather than insightful, and who simply elects to leave the story for no reason other than selfish convenience. Their deep relationship, their magical find, and the profound effect Doc's death has on PeeKay weren't even in the screenplay! Peekay, himself, was portrayed as arrogant, moralistic and not especially brilliant, all exactly contrary to the novel. Morrie ended up a virtually silent side-kick.
In short, the movie is a hack and boring, nothing like the powerful and moving novel. I often wonder how directors producing such junk can even show up for the premier. There's a reason why this movie costs next to nothing. I'm sorry I paid even that.
A Transpersonal Message 
2009-06-03 - This is a wonderful film, as was the book with the same title. In addition to the well focused storyline of fighting apartheid in South Africa there is also a well developed story of mans relationship with nature and the environment. A transpersonal relationship to a greater source of knowledge if one just opens ones eyes. A film of beauty with many lessons.
Delayed but decent 
2009-03-26 - The product was in great condition and exactly as described. However, it took 1 week OVER the expected time to arrive, making the delivery time well over a month to arrive. I would not order with them again as I can't afford to not know when or if the product will arrive. Sorry!
All time favorite movie!
2009-02-20 - This is by far my all time favorite movie. Such an amazing message combined with a sense of history. The music is amazing. I have it on VHS and was so glad to find it on DVD. Morgan Freeman is, as always, amazing as is the entire cast. If you have anyone in your life who could use a positive message of strength and courage in the face of great loss and challenges, this is the movie to watch. It has the power to raise you up.
