This is a chronology of major films produced in South Africa or by the South African film industry. There may be an overlap, particularly between South African and foreign films which are sometimes co-produced; the list should attempt to document films which are either South African produced or strongly associated with South African culture. Please see the detailed A-Z of films currently covered on Wikipedia at :Category:South African films.
1910s–1940s
TitleDirectorCastGenreLanguageNotes 1911The Great Kimberley Diamond RobberyR. C. E. NissenEmma KroghadventureEnglishSouth Africa's first dramatic feature. Aka Die Groot Diamantroof van Kimberley and The Star of the South. 15 min. 1916De VoortrekkersHarold M. ShawDick Cruikshanks, Gobahistorical epicEnglish, AfrikaansSouth Africa's oldest surviving feature film. 2-hour original cut. Aka Winning a Continent doe abbreviated 54 min. cut.An Artist's DreamDenis SanbryDick Cruickshanksromantic dramaAnimation 1919Allan QuatermainLisle LucoqueRay Brown, George Tayloradventure 1931Sarie MaraisJoseph AlbrechtBilly MathewsAfrikaansFirst South African film with sound 1948Die kaskenades van Dr. KwakPierre de WetPierre de Wet, Gert van den Bergh, Paula StygercomedyAfrikaans 1949African JimDonald SwansonDaniel Adnewmah, Dolly Rathebe, The African Inkspots, Sam Maile, Dan TwalaKom saam, vanaandAfrikaansSarie Marais Francis Coley Johann Nell, Helen Faul, Anna Cloete Afrikaans Remake of 1931 film of the same title
1950s
TitleDirectorCastGenreLanguageNotes 1950Zonk!Hyman KirsteinSylvester Phahlane, Daniel Lekoapemusical 1951Alles sal RegkomPierre de WetAl DebbocomedyAfrikaansJamie Uys Jamie Uys, Toit Hettie UyscomedyAfrikaansFirst South African film released in colourThe Magic GardenDonald SwansonTommy RamokgopaAka The Pennywhistle Blues. First film with an all-black cast to be shown in the white cinemas in racially-segregated Johannesburg. Nominated for two British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), for Best Film from any Source and Best British Film.Song of AfricaEmil NofalDaniel Makiza 1952Altyd in my dromePierre de WetAl Debbomusical comedyAfrikaans 1955Matieland!Pierre de WetSteyn de Jager, Wynona Cheyney, Frederik Burgersromantic comedyAfrikaans 1959Come Back, AfricaLionel RogosinBloke Modisane, Miriam Makebadocufiction, reportage, historical, politicalEnglish, Fanakalo, Afrikaans, ZuluItalian Critics Award, a Canadian Federation of Film Societies awardDie WildeboereJ.O.O. OlwagenRiaan Fouche, Valerie Ferreiraromantic comedyAfrikaans
1960s
TitleDirectorCastGenreLanguageNotes 1961Doodkry is minJamie UysJan Bruyns, Sann de Lange, Tommie MeyerdramaAfrikaansWritter Jamie Uys 1962Lord Oom PietJamie UysJamie Uys, Bob Courtney, Madeleine UshercomedyEnglish, Afrikaans 1963The Anatomy of ApartheidAntony ThomasdocumentaryEnglishKimberley JimEmil NofalJim Reeves, Madeleine Usher, Clive Parnellmusical comedyEnglishDeath Drums Along the RiverLawrence HuntingtonRichard Todd, Marianne Koch, Albert Lievencrime adventureEnglishEnglish-West German co-production by Harry Alan Towers 1965DingakaJamie UysKen Gampu, Stanley Baker, Juliet Prowse, Bob CourtneydramaAfrikaans, EnglishAll the Way to ParisJamie UysJamie Uys, Joe Stewardson, Emil NofalcomedyEnglishRide the High WindDavid MillinDarren McGavin, Maria PerschyAka African GoldCoast of SkeletonsRobert LynnRichard Todd, Dale Robertson, Heinz Drachecrime adventureEnglishWest German co-production by Harry Alan TowersSandy the SealRobert LynnMarianne Koch, Heinz Dracheanimal dramaEnglishWest German co-production by Harry Alan TowersThe Second SinDavid MillinGert van den Bergh, John Hayter, James WhiteactionEnglishThe Naked PreyCornel WildeCornel Wilde, Ken Gampu, Patrick MynhardtadventureEnglish, Afrikaans, Nguni languagesU.S. co-production 1967Kruger MiljoeneIvan HallGe Korsten, James White, Bob Courtneyaction, warAfrikaans, EnglishPossibly a musicalAfter You, ComradeJamie UysSeven Against the SunDavid MillinGert van den Bergh, John Hayter, Brian O'Shaughnessydrama, warEnglishThe Cape Town AffairRobert D. WebbClaire Trevor, James Brolin, Jacqueline Bissetdrama, thrillerEnglishRemake of 1953 film Pickup on South StreetThe JackalsRobert D. WebbVincent Price, Diana Ivarson, Robert Gunneradventure, westernEnglishRemake of 1948 film Yellow Sky 1968Oupa for SaleRichard DaneelArthur Swemmer, Bill Brewer, Wena NaudécomedyAfrikans, EnglishDie Ruiter in die nagJan PeroldJohan van Heerden, Brian O'Shaughnessy, Willie van Rensburgdrama, warEnglish, AfrikaansAka Rider in the NightDr KalieIvan HallSiegfried Mynhardt, Willie de Groot, Wena NaudéEnglish, AfrikaansMajuba: Heuwel van DuiweDavid MillinAnthony James, Kerry Jordan, Reinet MaasdorpwarEnglish, Afrikaans 1969DirkieJamie UysWynand Uys, Jamie Uys, Pieter HauptfleischadventureAfrikaans, EnglishAka Lost in the DesertDanie Bosman: Die verhaal van die Grootste KomponisElmo De WittFranz Marx, Min Shaw, Siegfried Mynhardtdrama, musicAfrikaansWriter Gilbert Gibson, producer Tommie MeyerGeheim van NantesDirk de VilliersPieter Hauptfleisch, Nic de Jager, Leonie Rossdrama, romanceAfrikaansEriter AP du Plessis, producer Tommie MeyerKatrinaJans RautenbachKatinka Heyns, Jill Kirkland, Don Leonarddrama, romanceEnglish, Afrikaans
1970s
TitleDirectorCastGenreLanguageNotes 1970Satan's HarvestGeorge Montgomery George Montgomery, Tippi Hedren, Matt Monrothriller, adventureEnglishFilmed in South Africa and RhodesiaLost in the DesertJamie UysWynand Uys, Jamie Uys, Pieter HauptfleischadventureEnglish, AfrikaansVickiIvan HallSandra Britz, Leonie Ross, Johan EsterhuizenromanceAfrikaansFilmed in South Africa (Durban, Margate) and RhodesiaShangani PatrolDavid MillinBrian O'Shaughnessy, Will HutchinswarFilmed in RhodesiaStop ExchangeHoward RennieArthur Swemmer, Charles Vernon, Ian YuleComedyEnglish 1971Three Bullets...for a Long GunPeter HenkelBeau Brummell, Keith G. van der Wat, Patrick MynhardtSouth African WesternEnglish 1972Kaptein CapriviAlbie VenterWill Sealie, Norman C. Smith, Ken Hareadventure, warAfrikaans, EnglishLeatherlipStuart PringleTim Hughes, Evon de Meistre, Bill BreweradventureEnglishPikkieSias OdendaalLeonora Nel, Pietie Meyer, Gabriel BaymandramaAfrikaansProducer Tommie Meyer, writer Beverley PeirceThose Naughty AngelsNeil Hetheringtonfamily adventureEnglish 1973Aanslag op KapriviIvan HallWill Sealie, Ken Hare, Jannie HanzenwarAfrikaansMr Kingstreet's WarJohn Saxon, Tippi HedrenwarDie VoortrekkersDavid Millinhistory, warAfrikaansSnip en RissiepitElmo de WittRod Alexander, Rika Sennett, Pieter Hauptfleischdrama, romanceAfrikaans 1974Animals Are Beautiful PeopleJamie UysPaddy O'Byrnecomedy-documentaryEnglishBoesman and LenaRoss DevenishAthol FugardDans van die FlaminkIvan HallRod Alexander, Gaby Gertz, Anele JonkerAfrikaansDooie Duikers deel nieMarius WyersFuneral for an AssassinIvan HallVic MorrowcrimeEnglish No Gold for a Dead DiverHarald ReinlHorst Janson, Monika Lundi, Hans Hass JradventureEnglishWest German co-productionOngewenste VreemdelingPens en PootjiesDirk de Villiers, Joe StewardsonAl Debbo, Marié du Toit, Don LeonardcomedyAfrikaansSix SoldiersBertrand RetiefRichard Loring, Barry Trengove, Lieb BesteradventureEnglish, AfrikaansSouth African Border War aka Mercenary Commando 1975Dingetjie is DynamiteTobie CronjeEendag op 'n ReëndagJans RautenbachKatinka Heyns, Regardt van den Bergh, Mees Xteendrama, romanceAfrikaansMy Liedjie van VerlangeWill RobertsWill Roberts, Barry Trengove, Zuna Viljoendrama, musicAfrikaansBased on the radio serial by C.F. Beyers-BoshoffVreemde WêreldJürgen GoslarSandra Prinsloo, Marius Weyers, Wolfgang KielingthrillerAfrikaansWest German co-production 1976e'LollipopMuntu Ndebele, Norman KnoxSpringbokTommie MeyerEckard Rabe, Percy Sieff, Sybel CoetzeedramaAfrikaansWriter Jan ScholtzAlbinoJürgen GoslarTrevor Howard, Christopher Lee, James Faulknerthriller, warEnglishFilmed in Rhodesia during the Rhodesian Bush WarKiller ForceVal GuestTelly Savalas, Peter Fonda, Christopher Lee, Maud Adams, O. J. SimpsonthrillerEnglish 1977Karate OlympiadIvan HallJames Ryan (actor) Kill or Be KilledTigers Don't CryPeter CollinsonAnthony Quinn, , John Phillip Lawthriller Target of an Assassin 1979Forty DaysFranz MarxPiero von Arnim, Ben Kruger, Annelisa Weilandcomedy, drama Funeral for an AssassinIvan HallVic Morrow, Peter van Dissel, Gaby GetzdramaEnglish, AfrikaansNight of the PuppetsDaan RetiefZoli Marki, Anna Cloete, Leonie RossPlekkie in die SonWilliam FaureJana Cilliers, Regardt van den Bergh, Eckard RabedramaAfrikaansGrensbasis 13Elmo De WittDanie JoubertwarBased on the opening skirmishes of the South African Border War
1980s