If you’ve ever scrolled through the "Inspirational" or "Faith-based" sections of a streaming service, you’ve seen it. A rugged man in a dusty field. Usually, these movies feel a bit... thin. They can be overly polished or preachy. But Faith Like Potatoes was different. It hit people hard when it came out in 2006, and honestly, a huge part of that staying power comes down to the faith like potatoes cast. They weren’t just reading lines about a farmer; they were portraying the very real, very messy life of Angus Buchan.
It’s a story about a Zambian farmer of Scottish descent who moves his family to South Africa in the midst of massive political and social unrest. He’s got nothing. He’s angry. He’s struggling. And then, he finds something that changes his perspective. But we aren’t here for a Sunday school lesson. We’re here to talk about the people who made that struggle feel authentic on screen.
The Man Behind the Plow: Frank Rautenbach
Frank Rautenbach didn’t just play Angus Buchan. He sort of became the face of South African inspirational cinema for a while because of this role.
Angus is a complicated guy. In the beginning of the film, he’s a powder keg. He’s stressed about the move to KwaZulu-Natal. He’s worried about his family's safety. Rautenbach plays this with a raw intensity that feels less like an actor and more like a guy who’s actually about to lose his mind from the pressure. It’s that grit that makes the later "transformation" believable. If he started out as a saint, the movie would be boring.
Rautenbach’s career after the film is actually pretty interesting. He didn’t just stay in the niche. He’s been in The Bang Bang Club and more recently has had a major presence in South African television, appearing in 7de Laan and Lioness. He’s got this weathered look now that works perfectly for the "tough but soulful" characters he often portrays. Interestingly, Rautenbach has been very open about his own personal struggles and faith, which mirrors the journey of the character that made him famous.
Jeanne Neilson as Jill Buchan: The Emotional Anchor
Let’s be real. In movies like this, the "wife" character is often relegated to standing in the background and looking concerned while the husband does all the heavy lifting.
Jeanne Neilson didn't do that.
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As Jill Buchan, Neilson had to portray a woman who was uprooted from her home and forced to live in a caravan while her husband chased a dream that looked a lot like a nightmare. She brought a quiet strength to the faith like potatoes cast. You see the exhaustion in her eyes. You see the moments where she’s clearly thinking, "What are we doing here?"
Neilson has stayed incredibly active in the industry. You might have seen her in The Salvation or The Details. She has this ability to play characters that feel grounded in reality, which was exactly what a movie about "potatoes and faith" needed. Without her performance, the stakes wouldn't have felt as high. You care about the farm because you care about the family, and you care about the family because Neilson makes Jill feel like a real person, not a caricature of a supportive spouse.
Hamilton Dlamini and the Soul of the Story
If you want to talk about who stole the show, we have to talk about Hamilton Dlamini.
He played Simeon, the farmhand who becomes Angus’s friend and spiritual confidant. Dlamini is a heavyweight in the South African acting world. He’s won Saftas (South African Film and Television Awards). He’s been in Isithembiso and Five Fingers for Marseilles.
In Faith Like Potatoes, his performance is the bridge. He represents the local community and the wisdom that Angus, as an outsider, is initially too proud to see. The chemistry between Dlamini and Rautenbach is the actual heartbeat of the film. It’s not just about a guy and his crops; it’s about two men from completely different backgrounds finding common ground in the dirt of a farm. Dlamini brings a dignity to Simeon that avoids all the typical tropes of the "wise helper." He’s a peer. He’s a leader in his own right.
Why the Casting Worked When Other Faith Films Fail
Most faith-based movies fail because they are "message first, craft second." They hire people who can say the right things but can't necessarily act the part. Regardt van den Bergh, the director, went the opposite way. He hired veteran South African actors who knew how to handle heavy, dramatic material.
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The supporting cast included people like:
- Sean Michael (who has been in everything from Black Sails to Shooter)
- Casper Badenhorst
- Candice D'Arcy
These are professionals. They understood the cultural nuance of South Africa in the early 90s. This wasn't just a "Christian movie"; it was a period piece about a country in transition. The cast had to reflect that tension.
The Real Angus Buchan vs. The Screen Version
It's worth noting that the real Angus Buchan is a polarizing figure for some. He’s a massive personality. He fills stadiums with his "Mighty Men" conferences.
Casting Frank Rautenbach was a stroke of genius because Frank is naturally more understated than the real Angus. It made the story more accessible to people who might be turned off by the high-energy, evangelistic style of the real-life farmer. The film focuses on the "quiet years"—the struggle, the loss of a child (a devastating scene that the cast handled with incredible grace), and the literal miracle of the potato harvest during a drought.
The potato harvest itself is the climax. It sounds silly if you haven't seen it. A guy planting potatoes in dry soil when everyone says he's crazy. But the faith like potatoes cast sells the desperation of that moment. You feel the heat. You feel the dust. When they finally pull those giant spuds out of the ground, the relief on the actors' faces feels earned.
Where Are They Now?
People still search for this cast because they want to know if the "magic" was real.
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Frank Rautenbach is still a mainstay in South African media. He’s become a bit of a mentor figure for younger actors. Jeanne Neilson continues to work internationally. Hamilton Dlamini is essentially royalty in the South African theater and film scene.
They didn't just disappear into the world of niche religious cinema. They used this film as a stepping stone or a solid entry in already impressive resumes. That says a lot about the quality of the production. It wasn't a "career killer" like some low-budget indie projects can be; it was a career definer.
Actionable Takeaways for the Viewer
If you’re looking back at this cast or considering watching the film for the first time, here is how to actually engage with it:
- Watch for the subtext: Don't just look at the religious themes. Watch how the cast portrays the racial and social tensions of South Africa during that era. It’s a masterclass in subtle world-building.
- Check out their other work: If you liked Rautenbach or Dlamini, look into the South African film industry. There is a wealth of gritty, high-quality drama coming out of Cape Town and Johannesburg that features these same actors.
- Read the book after: The movie is based on Angus Buchan’s autobiography. It’s interesting to see how the actors interpreted the "real" people vs. the written word.
- Context matters: Remember that this was filmed on location. The sweat you see is real. The dirt is real. The cast lived in that environment to bring an authenticity that you just can't get on a soundstage in Hollywood.
The faith like potatoes cast succeeded because they didn't play "saints." They played tired, frustrated, hopeful, and eventually, redeemed humans. That’s why people are still talking about a movie about a potato farmer twenty years later. It feels like real life.
Key Filmography for the Leads
Frank Rautenbach
- Faith Like Potatoes (2006)
- The Bang Bang Club (2010)
- Lioness (2021-2023)
- Summertide (2024)
Jeanne Neilson
- The Details (2011)
- The Salvation (2014)
- The Hearts of Men (2018)
Hamilton Dlamini
- Five Fingers for Marseilles (2017)
- Isithembiso (2017-2020)
- Reyka (2021)
Whatever your personal beliefs, the craft on display in this film is undeniable. The cast took a simple story and made it legendary within its genre. They proved that you don't need a hundred-million-dollar budget to make an impact; you just need some good actors, a lot of dirt, and a story worth telling.