Summaries

The life and career of Andre Stander, a South African police officer turned bank robber.

In mid-1970s Johannesburg, white police officer Andre Stander (Thomas Jane) suffers a crisis of conscience due to his involvement in apartheid and becomes a notorious bank robber on the run. Then from 1983 to 1984, the "Stander gang" (Stander, Alan Heyl, and Patrick McCall) rob as many as four banks a day.—screenwritersutopia.com

In 1976 Johannesburg, the efficient anti-racist Homicide/Robbery Police Captain Andre Stander has a nervous breakdown after killing an unarmed man in an apartheid protest. Stander decides to confront and mock the established corrupt system by heisting 26 banks while working for the police department. He is captured and sentenced to 32 years in prison, but he succeeds in escaping with criminals Lee McCall and Allan Heyl, and the three form "The Stander Gang" and rob another 20 banks in six months.—Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

"Stander" is based on the true story of André Stander, a South African homicide/robbery police captain who became one of the most notorious bank robbers in the country. After participating in the brutal killing in a riot in the line of duty, Stander decided to defy the very system he was part of, and set off on an audacious crime spree; robbing banks during his lunch hour then returning to the scene of the crime to lead the investigation. Finally, caught by his own police force, he was jailed, and subsequently befriended Allan Heyl and Lee McCall. After a daring jailbreak, the 'Stander Gang' committed a large number of robberies, which grew increasingly bold over time. In the eyes of the public, their blatant disregard for authority made them South Africa's most popular anti-heroes. In reality, however, Stander and his gang were the most wanted men in the country.—Distributor

Details

Keywords
  • male nudity
  • police
  • south africa
  • bank robber
  • protest
Genres
  • Action
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Biography
Release date Oct 9, 2003
Motion Picture Rating (MPA) R
Countries of origin United States Canada Germany United Kingdom South Africa
Official sites Official site
Language English Afrikaans Zulu
Filming locations South Africa
Production companies Grosvenor Park Productions Seven Arts Productions The Imaginarium

Box office

Budget $15000000
Gross US & Canada $31651
Opening weekend US & Canada $19067
Gross worldwide $272791

Tech specs

Runtime 1h 51m
Color Color
Sound mix Dolby Digital
Aspect ratio 1.85 : 1

Synopsis

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