MOVIE

HOLD MY HAND I'M DYING

1988

From blurb of VHS:

Out of the ashes of hatred

rose the phoenix of friendship . . .

When an African country declares independence, it spells freedom, hope, despair, fear, hatred and death.  One thing is for sure. No one else escapes unscathed from its explosive results. Joseph Mahoney (Christopher Cazenove) is one of the last Colonial Commissioners to administer changes brought about by British rule in the face of an increasingly defiant and independent tribal nation. With the help of Suzie, the woman he loves, and Samson his loyal servant, Joseph endeavours to bring justice to all despite native distrust and the never-ending threat of terrorists masquerading as freedom fighters. In his mission to stop the country from plunging into a savage bloodbath he takes advice from a priest called Ballinger (Oliver Reed). However, the price he must pay is dear. He must overcome the threat of violence, terrorism, a near fatal alligator attack, and the execution of Samson, not only his servant, but a trusted friend who is wrongly accused of arson. 

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From blurb of DVD:

When an African country declares independence, it means freedom and hope for some; despair, fear and death for others. The one certain thing is that no one can escape the changes it will bring. Joseph Mahoney, the last colonial commissioner in the beautiful Kariba Gorge, is in charge of a vast region thrown into turmoil as the old colonial rule comes to an end. With the help of Suzie, the naturalist he loves, and Samson, his spirited Matabele servant, Joseph struggles to administer justice to all, despite tribal distrust and the ever-growing threat of the terrorists masquerading as freedom fighters. While Joseph is in London training to be a barrister, Samson is forced to join the black liberation movement ZAPU. When Joseph returns to Africa and settles down with Suzie at her farm, ZAPU orders Samson to bomb the farmhouse. Samson is appalled, but caught in the middle -- with nowhere to go. He eventually decides to bomb the farmhouse while his friends are away, but gets caught by the army. As Samson stands trial for the attempted murder of his two good friends, Joseph is also battling to get Samson pardoned, win back the love of Suzie and to try to stop the country he loves from being plunged into a savage bloodbath of hatred and revenge. But, even as he argues to save his friend's life, time is running out. For all of them . . .

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A moving and compelling study of freedom, friendship and love in the face of hatred, violence and death. 

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Director: Terence Ryan

Screenplay: Mark Ezra

Running Time: 110 minutes