Arende

Arende ("Eagles") is the main title of a highly regarded and popular bilingual (Afrikaans and English) television mini-series written by Paul C. Venter, produced and directed by Dirk de Villiers (1924-2009) for C-Films.

It is also the main title of two sequels, and of a subsequent film.

In 2009 a novel, based on the story of the character "Sloet Steenkamp", was also published.

Arende, the TV series (1989-1994)

Set in the prisoner of war camp on the island of St Helena, it deals with the Second Anglo-Boer War as seen through the eyes of two fictional characters: "Sloet Steenkamp", a rebellious Boer farmer, and "James Kerwin", a Captain with the British Army.

Two more seasons followed the success of Arende, the original season, namely Arende II: Moordenaars Karoo ("Eagles II: Murderer's Karoo", 10 episodes, the first broadcast on 13 February 1992) and Arende III: Dorsland ("Eagles II: Thirstland", 13 episodes, the first broadcast air on 28 October 1993).

The whole TV series of ‎3 seasons (33 episodes) ran from 27 April 1989 to 20 January 1994, and the film was released in 1994. Though best known in South Africa as Arende, the whole series is also known (and specifically syndicated abroad) as Cape Rebel.

Arende Season 1

The first episode of a season of 10 episodes was broadcast under the title Arende on 27 April 1989 on the SABC TV1.

Arende II: Moordenaars Karoo Season 2

Set in the prisoner of war camp on the island of St Helena, it deals with the Second Anglo-Boer War as seen through the eyes of two fictional characters: "Sloet Steenkamp", a rebellious Boer farmer, and "James Kerwin", a Captain with the British Army. The first episode of a season of 10 episodes was broadcast under the title Arende on 27 April 1989 on the SABC TV1.

Cast and crew

Over the course of the three series numerous South African actors appeared in the productions, including Ian Roberts, Libby Daniels, Susanne Beyers, Brian O'Shaugnessy, Gavin van den Berg, Isabella Mostert, Jana Cilliers, Elma van Wijk, Emile Aucamp, Johan Esterhuisen

Nic de Jager was the narrator and Org Potgieter the director.

Arende III: Dorsland Season 3

Set in the prisoner of war camp on the island of St Helena, it deals with the Second Anglo-Boer War as seen through the eyes of two fictional characters: "Sloet Steenkamp", a rebellious Boer farmer, and "James Kerwin", a Captain with the British Army. The first episode of a season of 10 episodes was broadcast under the title Arende on 27 April 1989 on the SABC TV1.

Arende, the film

The plot

In 1994 a film version of Arende was released, directed by Dirk de Villiers and once more featuring Ian Roberts and Gavin van den Berg, in a sense telling the pre-history of the series, relating "Sloet Steenkamp"'s fight against the British invasion and his subsequent capture and imprisonment on the island of St. Helena.

Cast and crew

Ian Roberts, Libby Daniels

The book

In 2009, Paul C. Venter wrote a novel that he refers to as the new Arende, the fourth installment of the series. Called Die Rebellie van Sloet Steenkamp ("The rebellion of Sloet Steenkamp") it was published by Lapa Uitgewers and was his first new novel in 26 years.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arende

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2388893/

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2156657/

Beeld Kalender, 6 February 1992.

Ronel Nel. 2009. "Arendsvlug" In: Beeld By, 17 October, 2009: p. 6.

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