The Power of One (1992)

The Power of One (1992) — Drama / Sport Set in wartime and postwar South Africa, The Power of One follows the coming-of-age of Peekay, an English boy who grows up as an outsider in an Afrikaans school. After being orphaned he finds a guardian in the gentle German "Doc," who nurtures his musical talent and introduces him to a cactus garden world of quiet disciplines. Peekay’s life is transformed when he befriends Geel Piet, a prison inmate who teaches him to box and plants in him the mythic idea of the Rainmaker — a figure who can unite people and bring hope to the oppressed. The film traces Peekay’s journey from vulnerable child to determined young man, using boxing as both literal sport and metaphor for personal and political struggle. As Peekay’s skill — and the legend around him — grow, he challenges racism and the rigid social order. He falls in love with Maria, the daughter of a leading Nationalist, and the clash between his ideals and the brutal realities of the time leads to heartbreaking loss. Ultimately Peekay and his allies work to spread education and language as a means of empowerment among native communities. A viewer can expect a sweeping, emotional experience: evocative African landscapes and period detail, intimate mentor-student scenes, gritty, tense boxing matches, and moments of quiet reflection at the piano and in the garden. The film balances inspirational, triumphant moments with real tragedy and moral complexity, so it feels both an uplifting tale of resilience and a sobering portrait of social injustice. If you watch it, expect to be pulled into Peekay’s personal evolution — moved by mentorship and friendship, roused by his courage in the ring, and affected by the film’s themes of hope, identity, and the power one person can have to change others’ lives.

Actors: Stephen Dorff, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Morgan Freeman

Director: John G. Avildsen

Runtime: 127 min

Genres: Drama, Sport

6.9 /10 40 /100 7.1 /10 6.0 /10