The Winners (1972)

This was SA filmmaker Emil Nofal's allegedly autobiographical film (as "Jannie Totsiens" was that of Jans Rautenbach) which touched a nerve with both South African and international audiences many years ago. It is a tremendous film, both amusing and drainingly emotional at times and is a landmark in South African and international cinema."The Winners" (also known as "My Way") tells the story of Will Maddox, an enormously driven man who is forced by his internal demons to win at everything, either in work or at play. Eventually, these demons turn on him and destroy his life. Battered by personal losses and embittered to the point of not caring anymore, Will enters a grueling marathon and finishes last, but the winner who became a loser wins again.Joe Stewardson delivers a magnificent performance as the father who by driving his family to win at all cost drives them away from him.