Trompie (1975)

Trompie Toerien, (André Laubscher), Blikkies, (Niël Perhold), Rooie, (Antoine Kruger) and Dawie, (Phillipus Venter) are the four members of the local neighbourhood gang of which Trompie is the captain. Trompie is a typical 12-year-old youngster, the South African equivalent of Richmal Crompton's character, William Brown of "Just William" fame. Trompie takes the viewer back in time to give an amusing glimpse into the lives of four 12-year-olds living in 1970s South Africa. These four little mischief makers find themselves in all sorts of bother when Trompie is on the scene. His head is full of ideas for having fun, but they always end with him being in trouble when they go out on their daily escapades. When Trompie does find himself in a pickle though, he shows an uncanny ability to reason his way out of all problems. And in the way he does things, it seems he is more proud than repentant of what he has done. He also shows the genuine bond he shares with his three best friends. All in all, he's just an ordinary young boy out having fun. This recently restored movie is based on the book by Topsy Smith, and a popular South African Television series from the 1970s, and directed by Tonie van der Merwe.