DVD Corner

Five Fingers For Marseilles Blu-ray Review

Michael Matthews is a director to watch.

Written by Sean Drummond, “Five Fingers For Marseilles” is a South African modern western set in Marseilles and the neighboring hill town Railway. The story chronicles the lives of 6 friends Tau, Zulu, Lerato, Unathi, Luyanda and Bongani from childhood to adulthood. For the most part though, the story centers around Tau. In his youth, he rescued Lerato and shot 2 soldiers before leaving town. As the years pass, Tau returns to Marseilles where things have changed dramatically. Zulu has died, Bongani has become a cowardly Mayor, the police are corrupt and a gang leader (Sepoko) is closing in on running Railway and Marseilles. Can Tau stand up to the bad guys and perhaps inspire others to ally with him? 

Before helming the criminally underrated “Love And Monsters,” Michael Matthews directed the equally underrated “Five Fingers For Marseilles.” The 2017 modern western is framed like a Sergio Leone film (albeit one that is a bit more of a slow-burn) but it’s also authentically South African. Drummond’s script takes its time (in a good way) to set-up the world, the characters and their morals, and distinguishing between the past and present timelines. In typical western fashion, all roads lead to a conflict (AKA shootout). While effective, the climactic shootout and the actual ending are a little bit of a letdown (perhaps due to budgetary constraints), but it doesn’t hamper the story as a whole. It’s clear from the start that Matthews and Drummond know the ins and outs of the western genre and are fully capable of telling an engrossing modern story within that space.

From a visual standpoint, ‘Marseilles’ is a striking film. Shot in Lady Grey, the location shooting offers up stunning vistas and a decidedly unique location that really does feel tailor made for a western. The locations are much more than a mere backdrop in this film. They are pivotal to the story and to the characters themselves. 

The cast is made-up of South African actors and while they may not be household names everyone here is note perfect. Standouts include Vuyo Dabula (Tau), Hamilton Dhlamini (Sepoko) and Kenneth Nkosi (Bongnani).

Video/Audio:

Presentation: Widescreen 1080p. Grade: A-

Audio Track: 5.1. Grade: B

Extras:
* Uncork’d Entertainment trailers
* 30 second trailer spots for “Five Fingers For Marseilles.”
* “Behind The Scenes” featurette with interviews, set footage, film clips, location shooting discussions, and more.
* “The Story of Marseilles”- A featurette on the story and characters.
* “The Cast” featurette.

March 4, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Five Fingers For Marseilles Blu-ray Review, Michael Matthews, South African Film, western