Goodbye Bafana Review

On the surface, "Goodbye Bafana" looks like another worthy-but-dull South Africa story told, yet again, through the eyes of a white man. However, this particular white man has a genuinely fascinating tale to tell and the strong performances ensure that the film remains compelling. Joseph Fiennes plays James Gregory, an Afrikaans prison guard assigned to keep an eye on the country's most notorious terrorist, Nelson Mandela (Dennis Haysbert), on Robben Island in 1968. Gregory speaks fluent Xhosa, courtesy of a childhood spent on a farm and his friendship with a black boy (named Bafana, hence the title), so he's the ideal choice for the island's censorship officer. However, over the next two decades, through reading Mandela's letters and his subsequent relationship with the man, Gregory gradually gains an understanding of both Mandela himself and his desire for an end to Apartheid.

Fiennes gives perhaps his best performance since "Shakespeare In Love", nailing the South African accent and convincingly portraying the subtle shifts of Gregory's gradual transformation. The physically imposing Haysbert is equally good, radiating compassion and intelligence and easily conveying Mandela's almost supernatural air of calm. (That said, fans of "24" may find his unusual speech patterns hard to adjust to after seeing him as President "Giant Voice" Palmer). There's also strong support from Diane Kruger, who gives her best performance to date as Gregory's wife.

Director Bille August perfectly captures the authentically dusty, sun-drenched atmosphere, which often seems in stark contrast to the images of Mandela's captivity. There are also some terrific scenes, from the fury-inducing sequences of torture and oppression to some touching moments as the men's friendship develops, right through to the inevitable get-your-hankies ready finale.