I’ve always had a fascination with Western movies and books, something a lot of people couldn’t relate to or understand. There’s just something about it that’s so real and requires an intensity that a lot of other genres of movies doesn’t. I was delighted when I found out Five Fingers of Marseilles was a South African Western movie, something I personally felt was long overdue. It wasn’t gimmicky with a lot of gun slinging and horse riding or lonely tumbleweeds but included your typical hero vs. villain fights. The setting is a small town riddled with the aftermath of Apartheid but fighting for a chance to flourish.
Twenty years ago, the young ‘Five Fingers’ fought against brutal police oppression for the safe-keeping of the rural town of Marseilles. Now, after fleeing in disgrace, freedom-fighter-turned-‘outlaw’ Tau returns to Marseilles, seeking only a peaceful pastoral life. When he finds the town under new threat, he must reluctantly fight to free it. Will the Five Fingers ride again?
This movie starts off during Apartheid in South Africa when the community of Railway, close to remote town called Marseilles are the victims of brutal police oppression. No one is willing to stand up to them except for five young boys; Tau, Zulu, Bongani (Pockets), Luyanda (Cockroach) and Unathi, who would go on to be known as “Five Fingers”. The fights were innocent though their hearts were in the right place until Tau kills two policemen in an act of passion. He ran away, leaving behind his brothers but his actions had consequences that will follow him for years to come. Twenty years Tau is released from prison and is now known as "The Lion of Marseilles”, a feared outlaw. He returns to Marseilles, which turned into a seemingly peaceful place where the battle for freedom was won and the remaining Five Fingers found their place in society. After he met up with his childhood sweetheart Lerato and her son, he realises everything is not what it seems as the police are corrupt and a new gang led by Sepoko are causing havoc.
He tried his best to avoid trouble but it seems to follow him as Sepoko tries to recruit him for his gang, which he refuses. It obviously leads to a fight between him and Sepoko’s best fighter, ironically named Sweetface, where Tau arises victorious, much to the dismay of the gang. Residents approach Tau to help them to stand up against the police and gangs but he refuses as he believes he’s actually the enemy. A very unfortunate incident involving a loved one burned alive seems to be the deciding factor in Tau deciding to step in. It’s easier said than done as Tau is beaten with a bullet buried inside of him and left behind for dead. Tau calls up his allies and takes on Sepoko and his gang where they’re all killed with Sepoko’s end involves a few bullets and a knife to the head.
Try as they might, the past won’t let them escape even though they have the opportunity to take Marseilles to unimaginable glory together. It ends in a standoff between the remaining member of “Five Fingers” and only one of them walk away alive.
FIVE FINGERS FOR MARSEILLES
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