Rattlesnake (1995 film)

Rattlesnake is a 1995 Nigerian action film written and directed by Amaka Igwe and produced by Austin Awulonu.^[1][2] It the director's first foray into making a feature-length film and was made in 3 parts.^[3][4][5] It featured Francis Duru, Okechukwu Igwe, Nkem Owoh, Anne Njemanze and Ernest Obi.^[5]

Rattlesnake
Directed by	Amaka Igwe
Written by	Amaka Igwe
Screenplay by	Amaka Igwe
Starring	Francis Duru Nkem Owoh Sunny McDon Ebele Uzochukwu Anne Njemanze
Release date	1995 (1995)
Country	Nigeria
Language	Igbo Language

Synopsis

Rattlesnake tells the story of Ahanna Okolo who loses his father under suspicious circumstances as a child and ventures into a life of crime. Following the death of his father, Ahanna's uncle becomes his stepfather as he marries his mother. Ahanna's uncle sends Ahanna and his siblings to the village while he takes over Ahanna's father's property in Lagos. Ahanna ventures into crime and fends for his siblings with the proceeds of his criminal dealings. He goes on to lead a double life consisting of those of a respectable businessman and that of an armed robber, secretly. He had however turned a new leaf when his crimes were exposed.^[3]

Cast

• Francis Duru as young Ahanna Okolo
• Nkem Owoh as Odinaka, Ahanna's uncle
• Sunny McDon as Ahanna's father
• Ebele Uzochukwu as Ahanna's mother
• Anne Njemanze as Amara (part 1 and 2)
• Okechukwu Igwe as older Ahanna Okolo
• Byron Ene as Egbe
• Chris Iheuwa as The Godfather
• Ernest Obi as Sango
• Julius Agwu as young Peter^[6]
• Ejike Methuselah as older Peter
• Remy Ohajianya as Peter's father
• Bob-Manuel Udokwu as Maduako Olisa Jnr
• Uche Odoputa
• Okey Okoronkwo
• Tony One Week
• Stella Damasus as Amara
• Genevieve Nnaji
• Chris Okotie

Production and release

Rattlesnake is described as the first Nollywood attempt at making an action film.^[5][7] It was listed as one of the 100 greatest foreign-language films.

The Last Operation was made as a sequel to Rattlesnake.^[3]

Remake

Charles Opaleke of Play Networks Africa obtained the rights to Rattlesnake, made and released the remake titled Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story in November 2020.^[5] In a review by Precious Nwogu of Pulse Nigeria, the remake was said to "pale in comparison to the original in terms of the depth of the original's plot and themes".^[5][8] But despite the storyline criticism, the acting of main character (played by Stan Nze) was critically acclaimed.

References

1. Olowoyo, Ganiyah (2020-10-03). "Why I agreed to direct remake of Amaka Igwe's classic 'Rattlesnake' – Ramsey Nouah". Premium Times. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
2. Nwogu, Precious (2020-03-19). "Charles Okpaleke & Filmone sign production & distribution deal for 'Rattle Snake' remake". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
3. Igwe, Amaka; Kelani, Tunde; Nnebue, Kenneth; Esonwanne, Uzoma (2008). "Interviews with Amaka Igwe, Tunde Kelani, and Kenneth Nnebue". Research in African Literatures. 39 (4): 24–39. ISSN 0034-5210. JSTOR 30131177.
4. Udodiong, Inemesit (2020-01-02). "Google pays tribute to the late Amaka Igwe — here is what you need to know about this Nigerian iconic filmmaker". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
5. Ndeche, Chidirim (2020-07-05). "Five Classic Nigerian Stories Coming To Cinemas". The Guardian (Nigeria). Retrieved 2021-05-23.
6. "The 100 greatest foreign-language films: who voted?". BBC. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
7. Udodiong, Inemesit (2020-01-07). "'Rattle Snake': After 'Living in Bondage,' another classic Nollywood is in the works". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
8. Nwogu, Precious (2020-11-16). "'Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story' does everything but rattle [Pulse movie review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-05-23.