Shot on location, this story is set in
Rhodesia in the war years of the 1970's. A story about a member
of the British South Africa Police and his involvement with terrorism,
his relationship as he flees custody with a white man. Full of
adventure and very believable. Running time 82 minutes.
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The following was written by Alan
Brent, former BSAP (#7055) and is very interesting:
I was the Police Liaison Officer on SHAMWARI. I helped co-ordinate
all the
police uniforms and equipment, and helped with the authenticity
of all
Police duties during the filming.
It was financed by "The Four Jacks and a Jill" The
famous South
African Music Group. Ken Gampo acted as a Police Inspector
and Tamara Frankie ( a local model) were some of the main actors.
Can't remember any of the others. Bonnie Van Rooyen was the
Admin Manager / Accountant for the film. (No comments from
the lurkers gallery....!!!!!)
It was filmed in and around Salisbury. The main Studio location
was built
in one of the big Exhibition halls at the Salisbury Show Grounds.
An
authentic Police station and cell block, a bar, and bedroom were
constructed in the hall. The "shooting of scenes there lasted
for
three or four months.
Outside locations during the filming were at:
1. The rail siding near Gilby's Distillery on the Sinoia Road.
We helped
push
railway coaches up and down the siding for several weeks.
2.
An
abandon farm house in the Mount Hampden Framing area which was "attacked" and
burnt by "insurgents"
3. The Land Mine scene and "massacre were first filmed near
the farm.
They bought an old Matambanadzo Bus which was rigged to steer
itself down a
dirt road with dressed "window mannequins" as passengers
and stuffed goats
and chickens on the roof, only to be blown up as it approached
a bend in the
road.
The boosted blast sent the wrecked buss into a maize field. They
had to pay the farmer for his damaged crops.
4. The "close up" of the bus massacre scene was filmed
on the Parade
Square at Tomlinson Depot (A.P.T.S) Ken Gampo and other actors
were filmed being shot as they came out of the door and windows
of the bus (They - the actors had blasting wires running up their
trouser
legs connected to small electrical detonators tied into "blood" filled
condoms), which when detonated, gave the impression of the body
being struck by bullets
I was also the Police liaison officer on another film a few
years later
called "Tuxedo Warrior" also staring Ken Gampo as
a Police
Inspector. (The story revolved round stolen diamonds)There were
several International actors in this film including Holly Palance
(Jack Palance's daughter.) A real good looking girl)
Exciting times ......thanks for the reminder Ken Gampo passed
away in Johannesburg a few years back
.