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Mugabe and the White African

Play trailer Poster for Mugabe and the White African Released Aug 7, 2009 1h 30m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 36 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Michael Campbell -- a white, 75-year-old farmer living in Zimbabwe -- stands up for his rights against an oppressive government in this fascinating documentary. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's controversial "Land Reform" system has forced most white farmers out of the country, turning their properties over to inexperienced government officials. But Campbell, determined to defend his farm (and the black workers and family members who live there), takes his case to international court.
Mugabe and the White African

What to Know

Critics Consensus

As much legal thriller as objective documentary, this account of a farmer's battle with Zimbabwe's regime serves as a powerful and emotional attack upon President Mugabe.

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Critics Reviews

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Cliff Doerksen Chicago Reader The result is part legal thriller, part five-hankie melodrama. Jan 4, 2011 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times In a continent where despotic rule is not uncommon, there is little argument that Mugabe is the most monstrous of rulers. Rated: 3/4 Sep 2, 2010 Full Review Gary Goldstein Los Angeles Times Bailey and Thompson managed to create a remarkably vivid portrait of a land and its people, while bringing us two unforgettable heroes in Campbell and Freeth. Rated: 4/5 Aug 13, 2010 Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Filming is banned in Zimbabwe, so Bailey and Thompson are themselves risking their lives to film this documentary. Rated: 3.0/4.0 Sep 17, 2020 Full Review David Harris Spectrum Culture The most interesting aspect of the film is when it questions the definition of an African. Rated: 3/5 Oct 28, 2019 Full Review Nick Davis Nick's Flick Picks The filmmakers leave massive and sometimes reactionary holes in a film that could easily have pled a more accommodating and sophisticated yet equally airtight case. Rated: C+ Sep 6, 2010 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Justin N The film is completely 1 sided. It opens with the president giving a speech comparing himself to Hitler. A speech that was taken out of context in order to immediately allowed your brain to associate the president with evil. They twist statistics and misconstrued facts. This movie is made to tug on your heart string rather than be biased and give an accurate presentation of what was happening. That being said this family suffering was real. I don't think that violence perpetrated against them was right. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 09/09/25 Full Review Audience Member A truly touching documentary providing a first-hand look into the ongoing land issues across southern Africa. Misguided assumptions are torn down by Michael Campbell's story and those close to him. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member When doing docs about Africa, please interview Africans!!!! Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Audience Member one of the best docs i've seen in a while, if you really disagree with racism, you have to watch this. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Great documentary on the land grab by the corrupt Mugabe regime. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member A fantastic inside look at racial persecution from an unlikely point of view. Excellent dramaturgy and editing, one of the better documentaries I've seen. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Mugabe and the White African

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Cast & Crew

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Lucy Bailey

Director

Andrew Thompson

Director

Angela Campbell

Actor

Laura Freeth

Actor

Pauline Burt

Executive Producer

Steve Milne

Executive Producer

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Mugabe and the White African

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Movie Info

Synopsis Michael Campbell -- a white, 75-year-old farmer living in Zimbabwe -- stands up for his rights against an oppressive government in this fascinating documentary. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's controversial "Land Reform" system has forced most white farmers out of the country, turning their properties over to inexperienced government officials. But Campbell, determined to defend his farm (and the black workers and family members who live there), takes his case to international court.
Director
Lucy Bailey, Andrew Thompson
Producer
Elizabeth Morgan Hemlock, David Pearson
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
British English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 7, 2009, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 23, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$4.5K
Runtime
1h 30m