During the 1930s in South Africa, a boy named P.K. develops an unexpected friendship with Doc, a man unjustly imprisoned. As P.K. matures, he finds release and purpose through boxing, a pursuit that unexpectedly brings him into conflict with the country's apartheid system. He faces personal losses and finds strength in his connection with Doc and his passion for the sport.
Does The Power of One have end credit scenes?
No!
The Power of One does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.
Explore the complete cast of The Power of One, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.
Discover where to watch The Power of One online, including streaming platforms, rental options, and official sources. Compare reviews, ratings, and in-depth movie information across sites like Metacritic, Rotten Tomatoes, TMDb or Wikipedia.
See how The Power of One is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Power of One stands among top-rated movies in its genre.
40
Metascore
tbd
User Score
%
TOMATOMETER
0%
User Score
75
%
User Score
Challenge your knowledge of The Power of One with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.
What is PK's full name?
Read the complete plot summary of The Power of One, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.
In the early 1930s, Peter Philip Kennith Keith, affectionately known as PK, was born into a modest homestead in South Africa, raised by a recently widowed English mother. This tender beginning set the stage for PK’s distinctive upbringing, where she imparted the English language and culture while his Zulu nanny instilled African traditions. PK’s closest companion during this formative period was Tonderai, the son of his nanny. However, their peaceful life was soon shattered by a devastating rinderpest outbreak that decimated the cattle on their family farm. The situation became too much for PK’s mother, leading to her nervous breakdown, which resulted in PK being sent away to an Afrikaans boarding school as she sought recovery.
At this new school, PK stood out as the only English-speaking student among the Afrikaner children, and he quickly became the target of relentless bullying, particularly at the hands of Jaapie Botha. The harsh treatment, which included spitting and humiliation, deeply affected PK, resulting in a severe case of bedwetting. With help from the local sangoma Dabula Manzi, PK eventually faced his fears, and in an act of solace, he was gifted a chicken that he named Mother Courage—who became his steadfast friend and confidant.
The onset of war in Europe brought further turmoil to PK’s life. In a shocking display, the Afrikaner students abducted him along with Mother Courage, subjecting them to a mock Nazi trial. During this harrowing episode, Botha vehemently articulated his anti-British sentiments, laying the blame for past atrocities squarely at PK’s feet. This culminated in a tragic and gruesome act where Mother Courage was killed by Jaapie, intensifying PK’s anguish. In a moment of desperation, PK retaliated against Botha, yet his confrontation led to an attempted execution, which was fortunately disrupted by a teacher, resulting in Botha’s subsequent expulsion.
After the loss of his mother, PK began living with his grandfather in Barberton. It was here that he crossed paths with Karl “Doc” von Vollensteen, a lonely German musician who had escaped the horrors of the Nazis but had lost his family in the process. Doc recognized PK’s potential and guided him to become an exceptional pianist. Even while being interned as an enemy alien during the war, PK persisted in visiting Doc, where he met Geel Piet, a Cape Coloured inmate and boxer, who imbued him with valuable life lessons: > “first with the head, then with the heart”.
As Piet Kramer’s moral compass evolved, he started to show compassion for the African prisoners, who endured brutal treatment from Sgt. Bormann, an Afrikaner guard. One harrowing instance saw Bormann dehumanizing PK by forcing him to eat manure, a stark illustration of the prisoners’ degrading conditions. Determined to instigate change, Piet covertly worked with Doc to smuggle contraband to the inmates, write letters advocating for their plight, and bear witness to their suffering. However, the end of World War II brought PK heart-wrenching news: Doc was deported back to Germany, leading to Piet’s tragic fate as Bormann executed him for organizing a concert that challenged the guards’ authority.
As the years passed, by 1948, Piet enrolled at the esteemed Prince of Wales School in Johannesburg. It was during a boxing championship that he met Maria Marais, the Afrikaans daughter of a National Party official. Their passion-filled romance faced dangerous scrutiny as PK became embroiled with Gideon Duma, a dedicated boxer from Alexandra who inspired him to launch an English school for African children in defiance of apartheid.
Maria’s father, enraged by PK’s current associations and romance, contacted the police, leading to a tense investigation that left many friends and allies under scrutiny. The situation spiraled when Duma was severely injured, and Maria lost her life during a police raid at their school, a tragedy that left a community shattered. In his grief, PK considered escaping to Oxford, but was reminded by the recovering Duma of the fruits of their labor, bolstering his resolve to remain and fight for justice in Africa.
As the night fell heavily over Alexandra, a brutal onslaught led by Jaapie Botha claimed numerous victims. In the midst of the chaos, Colonel Breyten was killed by an enraged villager seeking retribution. The atmosphere crackled with tension as Botha threatened Elias Mlungisi, a local boxing promoter, yet PK stood resolute against him. Their long-standing conflict culminated in a fierce battle, leading Botha to conceal a firearm in a moment of desperation. However, Duma’s unexpected intervention with a cricket bat ended Botha’s malicious intentions once and for all.
After these harrowing events, PK and Duma found themselves fleeing from the oppressive weight of the apartheid regime, both resolved to dismantle the barriers of injustice. Together, they vowed to continue confronting oppression, buoyed by a steadfast community of survivors. As PK reflects on the myriad influences that shaped his journey—the nurturing wisdom of his devoted nanny, the mentorship of Doc, the fierce spirit of Geel Piet, and the enduring strength of Dabula Manzi—his heart is full of a lasting tribute to Maria, whose spirit remains a poignant reminder of love, resilience, and the fight for equality.
Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from The Power of One. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.
Explore all cars featured in The Power of One, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.
Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.
Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Explore Our Movie Platform
New Movie Releases (2025)
Famous Movie Actors
Top Film Production Studios
Movie Plot Summaries & Endings
Major Movie Awards & Winners
Best Concert Films & Music Documentaries
© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.