The Stranger: Boer War Western Showdown | Historical Short Film

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks to everyone who has watched, commented, and had some connection to this story. It’s a deeply personal, tragic, but also fascinating period of SA history, and we did our best to do it justice with limited resources and only two days to shoot. I so appreciate each of you taking the time to share in this journey. Our hope is that it doesn’t end here, but is a stepping stone to the full length feature version. Thank you!

[@joatmofa0405]

Is daar planne vir 'n vollengte fliek ? Ek ken 'n wenner as ek dit sien - met die huidige anti-kolonialisme sentiment sal so vollengte fliek baie dollars trek!!!

[@JohnDeVries]

@@joatmofa0405 Thanks so much for watching! We absolutely agree that this would be an incredibly successful full length film. We’re currently looking for financing to do just that! It’s a period of history that has far too little representation.

[@joatmofa0405]

@@JohnDeVries Just as a matter of interest - what amount investment are you requiring? Do you have everything in place?

[@JohnDeVries]

@@joatmofa0405 We’re currently looking for $2m USD all in. We’ve self financed the development up until this point.

[@stevesinclair4159]

Save your money to arm yourselves to overthrow your ANC oppressors

[@patrickarmstrong1948]

Very nice. The similarities between this time and place and parts of the American Old West are striking, and I think the English gunslinger is a great parallel concept that you've explored. Good luck with your project!

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks so much for watching! So glad you enjoyed it.

[@frankgrainger3610]

Goed! As an American (Texan, to be exact) military historian and Western film buff, I give this my wholehearted approval and wish to see more. Baie dankie!

[@JohnDeVries]

@@frankgrainger3610 I’ll take that endorsement 🙂 Thank you for watching!

[@M.R.BrickFilms]

The sad part about this video is that it ended, this is an amazing western that deserves to be a full film, I would love to see more, great job 🤠👏

[@JohnDeVries]

@@M.R.BrickFilms So glad you enjoyed it! Let’s hope we’ll have more to show in the future.

[@davewalters6348]

​@@JohnDeVries Indeed 🫡

[@nervchemnitz]

I hope this gets made into a full film. I love westerns and spaghetti westerns, and the setting of the Boer War / South Africa for a western film is truly original and it somehow works.

[@JohnDeVries]

I absolutely agree. It’s the ideal setting for the genre. Thanks for watching!

[@DeniatitadenCompostela]

@@JohnDeVries Braai Western LOL.

[@LlunaGLiTcH]

OH! I would love to see a full movie about this!🤩

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks for watching!

[@mickeymortimer4407]

as an Aussie who has always been interested in your history, particularly this period, I extend my heartiest congratulations for this piece. The design of our WW1 Lighthorse regiments was based on your Boer mounted militia

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you so much for those kind words. We’re deeply fascinated and passionate about this period of underrepresented history. In many ways it was the conflict that defined early modern warfare and it deserves more discussion. Thanks for watching!

[@mickeymortimer4407]

@@JohnDeVries absolutely! there are similarities with Afghanistan too! interestingly, I am doing a similar thing in my country about an underrepresented subject, same genre and time frame too, late 19th C and turn of the century!!

[@harryhatter2962]

No they weren't Mickey!

[@mickeymortimer4407]

@@harryhatter2962 that's what I read years ago, they wanted them very mobile like the Afrikaners.I had a great uncle in the 5th Light Horse in WW1, not that that is relevant, except that it caused me to read up on it. Obviously they were also based on traditional British light cavalry but I think you will find that the Boer War had a big influence on the structure and design of the Light Horse. It was developed in the period between the wars. In the Boer War they called themselves the Australian Horse and by the First World War they had undergone considerable changes.

[@harryhatter2962]

@@mickeymortimer4407 It was an influence, however the tactics of the Australians in the Boer war greatly influenced the Boers. they were impressed with the ability and skill the Australians bought with them FROM Australia. It was more a home grown tactical ability and indeed during the first world war Australian forces on the Western front made up only 10% of the allied forces fighting the Germans but they inflicted 25% of the casualties ON the Germans as well as taking 25% of the total territory OFF the Germans that they allies did take in the fighting. This was home grown without the Boers and in other theartres the Australians did things like come out of the Sinai desert to take Beesheba and this had not a whit to do with the acquistion of ANY Boer tactics. It was the British who were impressed with the Boers and subsequently emulated the idea of fast hit special forces based on those tactics.

[@bryanmclaren1177]

Thoroughly enjoyed watching this! Incredibly well made! Well done John!

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks so much Bryan!

[@claudemorcos]

Incredible what you guys were able to pull off in just two days and with a small cast of performers! Great job to John and the team - I hope this opens up many opportunities in the future!

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks so much brother!

[@davidprocter3578]

So much more powerful when it is kept simple like this, The attentions to detail punctuated the narrative beautifully. Well done guys, it would be great to see this expanded into a full film.

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you so much David! I’m very proud of my team.

[@davidprocter3578]

@@JohnDeVries Quite rightly so John, between you, you have pulled off a short that knocks most of Hollywoods production into a cocked hat. I hope you will be able to raise the funding to keep the team together for future projects. Good luck to you all.

[@dutchchessbetterthancheese1239]

Its about time a good movie about the Boers is made

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you for watching!

[@bakoorvos]

Thank you for the brilliant short film. It is an emotional part of Afrikaner history and following on the Great Trek, the Anglo-Boer war forged the Afrikaner into a formidable foe and tough people. To this day we are known for conservative thinking, protestant Christian ethics, and an interesting affinity to rural farmliving life and livestock farming. Afrikaner boys are even now known for marksmanship, tracking and stealth. This was also evident in the 1980’s Angola border conflict.

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks so much for watching Francois. It definitely is a period of history that deserves a lot more conversation!

[@craigdouglasmartens7037]

Magnificent! It makes me proud to be part of this heritage! Die Boerevolk sal altyd trots vir ons erfenis wees!

[@JohnDeVries]

@@craigdouglasmartens7037 Glad you enjoyed it. It is a proud heritage indeed. Thanks for watching!

[@komkommerskomk1775]

Het boerenvolk zal altijd trots zijn onze erfenis ❤️ 🇳🇱 🇿🇦

[@AXS512]

Excellent well done production. Far better than most shorts. I'd love to see a full length version.

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks for those kind words and for watching!

[@TinusleRouxRSA]

Baie goed gedoen, baie geluk. Cinematografie uitstekend, klank en aksieskote briljant!

[@Tracker5usmc]

Great short film! This is the sort of quality acting from unknown actors that Hollywood and the entire entertainment industry has been missing for decades. Keep up the good work!

[@JohnDeVries]

That is high praise indeed! I’m blown away by what my team was able to pull in such a short time. Thank you so much for watching!

[@tikkasako6.5]

Ek's 'n Scot wat saam met die Afrikaners vir twintig jare geble het. Mooi skoot, Boetie!

[@jeffbaxter8770]

As a boer war enthusiast, I got goosebumps when the vrou pointed out the boers on the skyline, wow!

[@JohnDeVries]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! We’re very proud of this passion project. It’s a time period that’s dear to us and we fought to do it justice.

[@jeffbaxter8770]

@@JohnDeVries very well done indeed, looking fwd to the next one.

[@AwesomeDrop]

When that fight gets physical it's so so good. Such clear clean action in the off-hand shot to the guy sneaking up. Great job.

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks bud!

[@devillevn]

Thanks for the awesome feedback 👊

[@davethorstry6700]

Excellent work, very well done. A work of art in a very short space of time. World class. I am so impressed!

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you for those kind words!

[@davethorstry6700]

@@JohnDeVries John, if I had the funds, I would commision you to make a full feature and not expect a penny in return. Dont take notice about the nit pickers who have nothing better to do in complaining about insignifcant detai;s especially when done in the short space of time this was done in. All the best for the future ventures.

[@JohnDeVries]

@@davethorstry6700 ah thank you so much! That means the world to myself and the team. A tremendous amount of work and passion went into making this little short and it makes it all worth when people like yourself recognise that.

[@lonniekruse5562]

my words at the end "I liked that" it was fresh. great job LonnieRay

[@conradthatcher859]

Well Done !! Fantastic work -Authentic Costumes and Weapons and the music and setting were perfect.I cant imagine what you guys could produce with a proper budget and resource's

[@JohnDeVries]

@@conradthatcher859 Thank you for those kind words!

[@josephtruscello3050]

Great work here. Can’t wait for the finished product. Production value is superb. Bravo

[@JohnDeVries]

@@josephtruscello3050 Thank you so much!

[@semperfine4442]

This is a fascinating period, especially from the Boer side. Churchill, Kipling, and Breaker Morant are about the only exposure commonly seen in America. Some can argue whether it was the Americans with their reservations, or the British with their concentration camps, but this was a vicious war .

[@JohnDeVries]

It truly is a fascinating period of history full of incredible, and often grim, stories. Its underrepresentation in film is something we want to change. Funny story about Churchill, when he was captured by the Boers, my friend and business partner’s great grandfather was one of his guards for a time. He told a story of Churchill’s first night of capture, sleeping out in the wilderness shivering but refusing a blanket out of pride. Eventually he felt pity on him and forced him to take his. Anyways, thanks for watching!

[@HartmutJagerArt]

Yes, 'Breaker Morant' is a classic top movie !

[@georgesvalin2367]

Nice cinematography shooting... the epic, the costumes and the landscape would do an amazing long movie about this period time of South Africa.

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you for watching! We hope to do the full length feature soon!

[@02cheesy1]

what a fantastic concept film. Great work John and team.

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you!

[@paulspice4717]

Great little movie, could be the start of a new and interesting genre

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks for watching!

[@lvcas2001]

Very well done, congratulations from Brazil

[@JohnDeVries]

Obrigado Lvcas!

[@williammunson3615]

Superb! I hope you do expand this into a complete film, please! The Boer War has been a fascination of mine for a long time. I've read everything I can find about it including Packingham's excellent book detailing it. Only one good movie has been made about it that I have seen, Breaker Morant. I look forward to seeing this one completed. My best, and compliments, to all of the team.

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you for watching William! It's a real shame that this important piece of fascinating history hasn't been given the attention it so rightly deserves. We hope to remedy that. All the best!

[@solascriptura7837]

Well done. Definitely a war that needs more exposure in film. I've enjoyed learning about it a lot as an American.

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@juanindojorgijanad782]

In 1881, the Boers won their independence during the 1st war against the British Empire but lost the 2nd one even, in 1901 after the death of Queen Victoria, signing the Treaty of Vereeniging on 31 May 1902. Greetings to you, John, from Indonesia! 🇮🇩🤝🇿🇦

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks for your comment and for watching!

[@davethorstry6700]

Yes and General de Wet and Dela Rey holding out and riding circles aroung you all. The Brits virtually begged the Boers to the negotiating table and had to make huge concessions.

[@davethorstry6700]

On a visit to England after the war, the three Boer Generals were met with huge cheering crowds. King George wanted to bestow Kniththoods on them. They flatly refused. Farmer Generals, not one had received any military training, who ran circles around the strutting high titeled Sandhurst dandys.

[@endriubi4356]

@@davethorstry6700 Burowie zobaczyli ,że Anglicy dążą do unicestwienia narodu 27 tys. ludzi zmarło w obozach koncentracyjnych to 10 % populacji to podpisali pokój w Vereeniging

[@Prasannakumar-yk7bf]

Lovely. A whole movie in 13 minutes.

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you for watching!

[@TheBreadPirate]

A few years ago I remember you emailing me for information on the American Scouts. I love how this turned out! It works really well as a "cowboy western." Good luck with the future film. I can't wait to see it!

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks so much! Yeah that feels like a lifetime ago. We’re still working hard towards the feature film. Hope you’re doing well!

[@TheBreadPirate]

@@JohnDeVries I'm doing great! Thanks for asking. I actually have a senior history paper to write for college and am considering writing about the American Scouts. I'll need to brush up on my research though. It's been ages since I've read about them. 😅

[@JohnDeVries]

@@TheBreadPirate That’s fantastic! If you do go that route, I’d love to read it when it’s done.

[@TheBreadPirate]

@@JohnDeVries I will try to remember to send you a copy.

[@Imragnar1]

Yeah great film idea scouting on 2 conteints is a great book to refer to for the film

[@joelhurley2678]

A very good short film thank you so much I really enjoyed it.

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you so much for watching! So glad you enjoyed it.

[@marcosambrosino]

A beautiful one video! Boers, men (a whole society, actually) at their best! A salute, from Brazil!

[@JohnDeVries]

@@marcosambrosino Thank you for watching! So glad you enjoyed it.

[@marcosambrosino]

@@JohnDeVries Man, I swear it: as a brazilian, I am very far away in time and place of the Boer War, even though, I simply appreciate to hear the song in the beginning, because I really feel as if I were one!!!

[@JohnDeVries]

@@marcosambrosino That’s wonderful. So glad it had an impact on you.

[@russellcollins6718]

More, More asblief. A total breath of fresh air. Mooi gedoen.

[@JohnDeVries]

Baie dankie!!!

[@MrMskilll]

I was about to leave after the show without leaving a comment but my conscience would not let me - First rate to the team and the camera work was of the best - real fist fights was what I thought(there Must have been some contact) but role playing is superb - excellent work John and you all. As a boer remnant I wish you all the best and hope you will bring out the truth about this horrible period in our history. DF Lydenburg.

[@JohnDeVries]

I’m so glad that you decided to comment after all and thank you for those kinds words! This was a real work of passion and we’re determined to give this period of history the attention it deserves.

[@andrevandermerwe407]

What incredible talent! Well done to all involved

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you so much!

[@youandtheendtimes5387]

Totally brilliant John DeVries and gives much needed perspective on a very interesting part of South African history.

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks so much!

[@larisadevries3049]

You guys are so amazing… I enjoy it more and more every time I watch it! Proud of you, my love 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@JohnDeVries]

Don’t forget, you’re a central part of the team 😉

[@larissahuysen7772]

❤️

[@VIV4342]

This is very good. Ive watched so many American westerns but this is rated very high by me. Great work. Keep them coming please Excellent work. Thank you

[@JohnDeVries]

That’s high praise! Thank you so much for watching!

[@SamhainBe]

Well done! Can't wait for the feature length movie!

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks so much for watching! We are itching to take on the feature!

[@jorgedacunha2676]

A Saffa Spaghetti Western. Loved it.

[@JohnDeVries]

@@jorgedacunha2676 I can only hope to aspire to the likes of Sergio Leone! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@tigerspirit22]

Nicely done! Very good casting: the widow, lieutenant, stranger... intense emotion in a 15 minutes ...!

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂

[@Westvave]

Absolutely well done. A rare and magnificent little film.

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you for those kind words! I’m glad you enjoyed it. A lot of time and passion went into making it.

[@moosebones5152]

God bless the Boers! From USA.

[@JohnDeVries]

@@moosebones5152 🙂

[@adriaanoosthuizen3012]

Wow! John de Vries. Fantastiese kort film wat jy hier gemaak het. Veels geluk.......

[@JohnDeVries]

Baie dankie Adriaan!

[@nickihill2567]

Love how you told the story and how it was shot! Well done Matt and John ...

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you so much!

[@michaelbreiteneder139]

What a great short! "Shootout At The Oukei Corral". Can't wait to see what's next.

[@JohnDeVries]

Ha! Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@fireandicewine]

Excellent show. I wish it was longer.

[@JohnDeVries]

@@fireandicewine Thanks for watching, and so do I!

[@stevenherridge9241]

Well done. Would love to see more of this one in the future.

[@roliver7773]

Outstanding. Love the historic concept. Can't wait to see the film.

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you for watching! So glad you enjoyed it.

[@ROBERTANDERSON-f2f]

That was a great little film. Thanks for posting. 👍

[@JohnDeVries]

@@ROBERTANDERSON-f2f Thanks for watching!

[@eagleeyeprintingdesigning5443]

When are we seeing the full movie. watched the first 5min and said wow that is so intence as to the feelings. Im in South africa and study the boer war at all chances I have. PLEASE WE NEED TO SEE THE FULL PRODUCTION.

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you so much for that great feedback. I agree! We're working hard at finding the financing to make that happen so do watch this space.

[@garywagner2466]

Enjoyed that. Keep them coming.

[@JohnDeVries]

@@garywagner2466 Thanks for watching!

[@IainHirons]

Thank you for a lovely short film……reminds me of that western called Shane. ….last week I found an old bible in a bookshop in Dorset ,England………on the first page it said…. Found in a boers farmhouse in Springfontein…..by …J Oldbruk On the second page…… The name of the owner …born 1880 ….with love from his father…. I tracked the bibles owners granddaughter to their farm in Losberg,Transvaal,Mpumalanga. The young Petrus was 19 and studying theology at Stellenbosch when war broke out and became a commando with Theron and was eventually captured in 1901 and sent to Burts island ,Bermuda …he moved to USA and only returned to South Africa in 1914 where he fought with Smuts in SWA and Tanzania…. His entire family were put in concentration camps near Smithfield for the duration of the war and his family farm was burnt to the ground. Next week I am sending the bible back home to South Africa via his family who are going there on holiday……I suppose if someone hadn’t taken the bible from that farm in Springfontein it may not have survived…that’s my little story from the last week.

[@JohnDeVries]

What an incredible story and what a gesture! I have no doubt that it meant the world to the family. Thank you for sharing that and for watching our little film! This period of history is incredibly personal for me as well. I had family in the camps as well. It was a tragic period of history that deserves more attention.

[@IainHirons]

The bible is now in family hands near London and heads off to Losberg in January.@@JohnDeVries

[@carlschubert879]

Hey John, congrats on an awesome short movie... Indeed this should be a series.Would love more. Tragedy, romance an war...what a story. Congrats an strongs to y'all. Well done.

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you so much Carl! We’re passionate about taking this forward. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@carlschubert879]

@@JohnDeVries HI John I didn't just enjoy it ... I Loved it. My grandmother was a girl of 8 when the war came. Her father an two brothers left their farm in the hands of the woman an children an rode off to the war. She never saw he'd father and elder brother again. Only the younger one who was 16 at the time, who survived. Tragic really ... But those are the realities of war. Great things don't just come about. It is series of small things put together That accomplish that. Effort has to be put in ...or nothing is accomplished. For two day shoot thd results speak volumes. Miracles still happen. This short movie is proof of it. Awesome achievement an awesome strongs an Blessings for the future.

[@JohnDeVries]

@@carlschubert879 Thanks so much for sharing. My Great Grandmother was in the camps. The things they had to endure daily were shocking to say the least. Overall it was a tragic loss of life due to the expansionist fueled greed of a few. We hope to honor those who paid the ultimate price.

[@charlesvanonselen6251]

What a fresh and interesting take of this period. The makings of an excellent movie. I am sure, if told correctly, you would garner a massive following both locally and abroad. It's time the story was told internationally from the Boer perspective. The Americans LOOOOOVE the underdogs!

[@JohnDeVries]

Exactly that! We really feel that the full length project we have in development will be a massive hit in the US. Thanks for watching!

[@curtiswilliams4079]

Have a friend i met in hawaii. Bo kjier olson is a decendant of the original boers of south africa. Mountain climber, fighter pilot and adventurer. he taught me how to breed /raise fish on captivity. he was a mans man if ever was one. One of the only white men in the world who could boast of being a personal friend of Zulu king Buthelazi.

[@charlesvanonselen6251]

@@curtiswilliams4079 Buthelezi is/was never the king. He is the royal advisor (like Prime Minister) to the old king. I think the new king has someone else now as the royal advisor! He is related to the king.

[@bainpoultry1075]

Bloody Sasenachs. Ek is lank al ‘n mak gemaakte Skot ek sal geniet om die vol fliek een dag te sien. Daardie wit kruise op die red coats voor hulle die khaki gedra was ‘n goeie tuiken. Mooi man !!!

[@JohnDeVries]

@@bainpoultry1075 Baie dankie!

[@catchinbass86]

Great. I would really like an expanded version.

[@ansigenis3770]

Pragtig. Baie goeie storie en karakters. Ek geniet my taal en waardeer my herkoms so veel meer waar ek tans in die vreemde werk.

[@JohnDeVries]

Baie baie dankie!

[@leighmuller6438]

Well done John and team! Super impressive!

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks Leigh!

[@DJBerg-x3y]

Great tale, just goes to show that that struggle was one between good and evil. Many foreigners identified with the plight of the Boer nation and their enemy the British Crown. Many Brits had empathy and joined the ranks of the commandos in defiance of the invading imperialist simply because they shared similar beliefs and values.

[@JohnDeVries]

@@DJBerg-x3y Thanks for watching! It truly was an international war. Endless stories to tell.

[@jonathandavies6839]

Wow ... This is quality ....Best wishes from Welshman in Costa Rica ..Congrats

[@lduplessis5725]

👈👀 A masterpiece! with a historical emotional strirring.... just before round no.2 starts...💪🙏

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you so much! We’re passionate about this period of history and hope to tell a compelling story in the future that does it justice.

[@Jan-qg1iy]

I truly enjoyed this short film. Although it was as you say a short shoot, it was very well staged and I look forward to much more. Well done!! ✨ 👍👍✨

[@JohnDeVries]

@@Jan-qg1iy Thank you!

[@Jan-qg1iy]

@@JohnDeVries, ✨👏👏👏✨

[@JohnCon-ti9pi]

I do not do modern movies anymore. Hollywood does not exhibit my values. On the other hand, I like this idea. I would pay to go see your finished product. Good acting, good plot. Plenty of room for expansion. And truth. You might think, with a great grandfather who was a career British soldier that I would think differently. But - what else was an Irishman to do besides starve. Same with your people when the great wars rolled around, the British again used them for cannon fodder. That was the Colonial English way. They dealt military defeat, followed by poverty, which caused their ranks to swell in every land they conquered. I have long admired the Boers, and as a history buff I am familiar with the conflicts. KUDOS.

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you those kind words and for watching! It absolutely is one of those “David v Goliath” type stories that deserves telling. This is what my team and I are all about.

[@richarddevine8391]

Wow this is really good. Would love to see this made into a full on movie. Congratulations and good luck

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks so much! We’re definitely pushing to do just that.

[@merissadevries4776]

Loved it! Cant wait for part 2.

[@JohnDeVries]

Yay!

[@georgepeat5269iearth]

“Breaker Morant” interesting movie and fellow of those times. There might be a book also”Scapegoats of the Empire” ,bloody times as are these we live through now. Happy film making!

[@mikehogan9265]

Interesting take on the Boer War. Both my grandfathers fought on the British side and I learnt a great deal about the war from them. As a history teacher in the 70's in Natal I visited most of the historical war sites, taking students on tours. I didn't need the English sub titles!

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks so much for watching! War is always a difficult subject to tackle and we tried to honor the period and the people in the process. Much can be said about morality and the “right and wrong” of it all, but in short, there is no such thing as a victimless war.

[@malancronje6805]

They still call Kitchener a Lord while telling other countries how and what to do in wars that have nothing to do with them.

[@kylewood8327]

Nicely done short clip!

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks for watching!

[@anthonywilson7304]

I have a fascination for this terrible event too. My great grandfather's older brother was killed over. He was a scout in the 5th Imperial Bushman from South Australia. What the Crown did to the heroic Boers and their families is utterly shameful. Cheers for that.

[@JohnDeVries]

It was shameful indeed. Some of my family ended up in the camps. It was a war that should never have happened, and it was a tragic loss of life on both sides. We hope, in our small way, to shed light on this underrepresented conflict and honor those who had to endure it.

[@carlosacta8726]

Great short film!!! Would love to see more of this!!!!

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks so much Carlos! So glad you enjoyed it.

[@carlosacta8726]

@@JohnDeVries I see the name JOHN DEVRIES in shining bright Hollywood lights!!!!

[@JohnDeVries]

@@carlosacta8726 Thank you! You’re too kind!

[@gertvanzyl9654]

Well done you guys , this was great to watch . I truly hope you can turn this into a film . There is alot of potential here . Reminds me of the movie Hostiles abit.

[@JohnDeVries]

That’s high praise Gert! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@hoshgangster]

Superb , really hope you get to or are making more.

[@JohnDeVries]

Glad you enjoyed it! We're definitely hoping to make a feature version.

[@ronaldbrooks885]

Brilliantly done.

[@JohnDeVries]

@@ronaldbrooks885 Thanks so much!

[@TRIPWIRE330]

Very very nice would like to see a full length feature..

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks so much! We’re hoping to get started on the feature soon!

[@AVKnecht]

WOAAAH! This was awesome!

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks for watching! So glad you enjoyed it.

[@peterbehringer63]

Good job! this proof of concept short hits the buttons leaving the viewers wanting to see more....if feel it should be a series, not just a 90minute movie. had i been a writer here, i would have crafted the British deserter character to be more of a cool laconic anti-hero, similar to Clint Eastwood's character in his most emblematic westerns. Kudos on your work, i am a scriptwriter/creator working on location with local producers in Venezuela on a possible series tropical version blend of The Walking Dead, Mad Max and Lara Croft Tomb Raider.

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks for watching Peter! We’ve got a lot of surprises in store for the full length film 🙂

[@peterbehringer63]

@@JohnDeVries That's good news!...i should be quite pleased to see the full feature versión upon release... tropical salutes from Caracas.

[@barendahanekom2773]

I loved it!!! Well done John

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you so much!

[@taterbug70]

We need them.Boers back today.

[@capetowndiggers1549]

Awesome movie, love it! 👏🏻 🏆

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks for watching!

[@neuromercy]

This was just exceptional cinematography. Please make a feature length?

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you for watching! We absolutely aim to make a feature length version. We made this short as a proof of concept so we can raise financing.

[@mikejohnson2098]

Very good Love to see more like this

[@JohnDeVries]

@@mikejohnson2098 Thanks for watching!

[@michaeloloughlin6509]

I hope you get funding to turn this into a feature film

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks so much Michael!

[@paulmcmenamin205]

What a song. What a song.

[@JohnDeVries]

@@paulmcmenamin205 Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching.

[@tomjackson6388]

great movie

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank you!

[@ET-jv1wm]

I grew up in South Africa. I had two Great grandfather's who fought in the war. One was English, who fought with commandos that raided the Cape, he was captured, and somehow, he escaped the traitors noose and ended up on Robben Island. Another was an Afrikaner who enlisted as a scout for the British. My great aunt was born in a concentration camp near Kimberly, and we once went with her visit the graves of her siblings and cousins who died in the camp. So I know a bit about the two Boer wars and the people who fought in them. I don't think that the producers were trying to make a historicly accurate documentary, but rather a historical drama to capture some of the drama, emotion and turmoil of the times. A bit like Django unchained or Bravehart, or the TV series Vikings... in that all of the above are riddled with historic inaccuracies and plot holes, but are still fun and compelling to watch. Considering that there was no budget, the storyboard, cinematography, production, and above all the acting, was surprisingly good! I was particularly impressed with the leading lady's performance! It's a nice change from the typical overly dramatic fare that one associates with South African, and particularly Afrikaans historical drama. I liked the plot twist of the British expat 'hero' and thought that the 'western theme' gave it a fresh look . I would definitely watch a longer version if they ever make one

[@JohnDeVries]

Thank so much for watching and commenting! As you say, we didn't set out to make a documentary, but rather encapsulate some of the essence of the conflict. It's also a deeply personal story as some of my family ended up in the British concentration camps. The feature version will explore this in more detail. Lots of fascinating history to be discussed!

[@davethorstry6700]

Really? Brit soldiers going to farms were there were only vunrebale women, children and the elderly was common place. They kicked, beat and abused them. Raped them too. Made them watch while they dynamited their home, toreched them and the crops in the fields. Slaughtered vast fields of livestock. Then marching them off to "extermination" camps were they were died proper food, shelter and medical treatment and were starved to death.

[@MyMarlinman]

This was very entertaining and professional. Could have watched it as a full length film.

[@JohnDeVries]

@@MyMarlinman Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@NareEntsho]

I'd love a full length movie too #South Africa

[@daengshamsuri]

I love this movie

[@JohnDeVries]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!

[@buckgulick3968]

That was quite well done!

[@JohnDeVries]

@@buckgulick3968 Thanks for watching 🙂

[@gertkaiser4273]

Through some mishap I ended up in a small hospital in Transvaal during my medical training. Got a lift with the engineer to town to register. Not a man of many words. “My family was in the camps during the war” Just the kind of thing a young German wants to hear in a truck in the bush. Well this was the 80s and the guy in his sixties so I learned a lot that day and the next six months. First of all where the term concentration camp came from. Good to see a story of pluck. Hope this goes somewhere

[@JohnDeVries]

@@gertkaiser4273 Thanks for that great story and for watching. The camps are a great stain on South African history. War on the battlefield is one thing, war on civilians is another. It’s a period that definitely deserves more attention.

[@cl0udbr3ak]

Please do a full Lenght movie. This was great.

[@JohnDeVries]

@@cl0udbr3ak We’re working on it 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it.

[@cl0udbr3ak]

@@JohnDeVries that is great news. I work for a Lodge in Natal and guide Anglo-Boer as well as Anglo-Zulu Battles here

[@JohnDeVries]

@@cl0udbr3ak That’s fantastic. Please do send me your contact details. Would love to get in touch.

[@TheTakbok]

The guy in the last scene looks a lot and is dressed like the smartest guerrilla fighter that ever lived,General Christiaan Roedolf De Wet

[@JohnDeVries]

An incredibly accomplished man indeed. Thanks for watching!

[@dudeonyoutube]

This was excellent.

[@JohnDeVries]

@@dudeonyoutube Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gekolizzard]

Nice work. Hopefully it makes it into a full length.

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks Russell! We truly hope so.

[@estalitavanschalkwyk2873]

Loved it! Well done

[@Gangleri333]

Great Work!

[@JohnDeVries]

Thanks so much!

[@travisr4321]

Great short

[@JohnDeVries]

@@travisr4321 Thank you!