Panic Mechanic
Synopsis
When Hanky Pranky (alias Schucks), star of a candid camera TV show, loses his job to affirmative action, he applies for a job at a stress academy. It´s not long before Schucks discovers his new boss, Jack Paddaman, is as crooked as they come, but it´s too late: the employment contract is signed and sealed.A year passes, and Schucks is no better off. However, his candid camera videos, which poke fun at all sectors of post-1994 South Africa, prove a big hit with stressed-out government ministers. When the president asks Paddaman to make a movie to benefit street children, Schucks and his pals do all the hard work while Paddaman plans how he can get hold of the profits from the video sales. Add a scatterbrained secretary, a lovelorn traffic cop and a cunning street child and you have a roll-in-the aisles comedy with a distinctly South African flavour.
Top Cast
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Leon Schuster
Schuks
Frantz Dobrowsky
Jack Paddaman
Tolla Van Der Merwe
Jakob
Nana Stapelberg
Gloria Haasbroek
Themba Ndaba
Billy
Taryn Sudding
Annie / Various characters
John Robbie
Himself
Sello Sebotsane
Hijacker
Dorette Nel
Saartjie
Desmond Dube
SABC man
Lieb Bester
Gys
Ernest Ndhlovu
SABC boss
Tim Plewman
Minister of Transport
Coco Merckel
Chauffeur
Pierre van Pletzen
Coetzee
Andries van der Heever
Leader of the Opposition
Ruth Cele
The President
Thamele Mavuya
Frankie (Homeless Child)
Release History & Theatrical Window
January 1, 1997
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$263K
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$950K
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
3.61x
+$687K net gain
Theatrical Status
Mega Hit
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- David Lister
- Screenplay & Story
- Leon Schuster, Gus Silber, Andre Scholtz
- Original Score
- Neill Solomon
- Original Title
- Panic Mechanic
- Country of Origin
- South Africa
- Spoken Languages
- Afrikaans, English
- Runtime
- 1h 41m
- Production Budget
- $263K
- Worldwide Gross
- $950K
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
David Lister
Leon Schuster, Gus Silber, Andre Scholtz
Neill Solomon
James Robb
Alastair Henderson
Carl Fischer, Andre Scholtz
Department Leadership Roster
David Lister
Director
Leon Schuster
Screenplay
Gus Silber
Screenplay
Andre Scholtz
Screenplay
Andre Scholtz
Producer
Neill Solomon
Original Music Composer
James Robb
Director of Photography
Alastair Henderson
Editor
Christian Mc Cabe
Production Design
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Panic Mechanic.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Panic Mechanic.
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Afrikaans Movies
'n Lys van Afrikaanse flieks. Kontak my as jy nog wil byvoeg. tmdb@epos.33mail.om
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Frequently Asked Questions About Panic Mechanic
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Panic Mechanic about?
When Hanky Pranky (alias Schucks), star of a candid camera TV show, loses his job to affirmative action, he applies for a job at a stress academy. It´s not long before Schucks discovers his new boss, Jack Paddaman, is as crooked as they come, but it´s too late: the employment contract is signed and sealed.A year passes, and Schucks is no better off. However, his candid camera videos, which poke fun at all sectors of post-1994 South Africa, prove a big hit with stressed-out government ministers. When the president asks Paddaman to make a movie to benefit street children, Schucks and his pals do all the hard work while Paddaman plans how he can get hold of the profits from the video sales. Add a scatterbrained secretary, a lovelorn traffic cop and a cunning street child and you have a roll-in-the aisles comedy with a distinctly South African flavour.
Who directed Panic Mechanic?
Panic Mechanic was directed by David Lister.
Who stars in Panic Mechanic?
The principal cast of Panic Mechanic includes Leon Schuster, Frantz Dobrowsky, Tolla Van Der Merwe, Nana Stapelberg, Themba Ndaba.
When was Panic Mechanic released and how long is it?
Panic Mechanic was released in 1996 with a total runtime of 1h 41m.
What was the box office and production budget of Panic Mechanic?
Panic Mechanic had a reported production budget of $263K and grossed $950K at the worldwide box office (3.61 return on budget, classified as a blockbuster success).
Who composed the musical score for Panic Mechanic?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Panic Mechanic was composed by Neill Solomon.