Tenth of a Second (1987)
"Tenth of a Second" is the account of one man's desperate attempt to fight the oppressive apartheid regime of South Africa. This political thriller centres around Michael Wilder (James Whyle), a schoolteacher and political activist, with a failing marriage. Wilder is a member of the "Organisation" which is involved in subversive activities against the state. One day, Raymond (Nicky Rebelo), a fellow member, visits Wilder and leaves him with a suitcase containing a bomb. Wilder is expected to place in a busy shopping centre. But things do not go according to plan and the consequences of his actions result in devastating effects for Wilder and his grip on reality.
Watch Trailer
Cast
Similar titles
Reviews
How sad is this?
It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.
Made in the bad old days of South Africa, it tells of an English school teacher cum apartheid fighter who tries to understand his country amidst his own wasted personal life. The film isn't propaganda to be sure, even though it clearly has political motivations. The teacher only wants to fight with the pen and failing to follow through with a bad situation he lets a few innocents die. The narrative revolves around the teacher's thoughts on people and politics and the plot merely serves to set up scenes where he can, well, think some more. The film uses camera movement sparingly and the dialogue is realistic as is the film honest. A very good SA film from a great director.