If you don’t remember how Nollywood started, you will not appreciate the stage the Nigerian movie industry is currently at right now, and where its present success means for the future. From the very old days of vintage Nigerian films when VHS rentals were incredibly popular, to the current successful reality for our latest films, the journey has been nothing short of admirable. You will appreciate the Nollywood classic movies we will write about but first, do you agree these are the best or you have others to add?
New Nollywood has definitely made amazing strides and blessed the eyes of its viewers with its wide range of cultures, but there is still something unique about those ’90s films that make us reminisce about the good old days and force us to crave our childhood.
Do you remember the era of weekend video rentals, rewinding VHS tapes, and the vibrant energy most of our veteran Nollywood actors had when they were much younger? Those classic movies surely hold a special place in our hearts as they were the epitome of beautiful storytelling and cultural abundance.
So, even if it is undeniable that the new school actors and directors have taken the industry to greater heights, the applaudable marks of our old school films will forever remain cemented in the hearts of millennials as their first exposure to moving pictures. Let’s highlight some of those movies that will immediately take us back to the early years of Nigerian cinema:
1. Nneka the Pretty Serpent (1992):
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The legendary Zeb Ejiro directed this one and it was definitely a classic. The story revolved around a woman who desperately wanted to get pregnant with a child of her own. This forced her to meet the river goddess a.k.a Mami Wata for help. The woman went as far as promising to dedicate her child to the river goddess when he or she grows up as thank you for the assistance.
Nneka was played by Ndidi Obi and she possessed with terrestrial powers used to wreak all sorts of havoc, including seducing married men to steal their money and souls. The cast for this classic included Ndidi Obi, Okechukwu Ogunjiofor, Eucharia Anunobi, Ngozi Ezeonu, Sam Loco, and Kanayo O.Kanayo.
2. Saworoide (1999):
You already know any movie with Tunde Kelani as director will definitely be one to remember. This film was set in the town of Jogbo where a king cannot be crowned without a ritual that involves the playing of Saworoide (bell-talking drum).
Its story is centered around the king-elect of Jogbo who decided to break the tradition by refusing to partake in the coronation ritual with the Saworoide, a sacred brass bell drum. The acting in the movie was simply brilliant, no wonder it remains memorable several years later.
Some of the notable cast members were Kola Oyewo, Bukky Wright, Lere Paimo, Larinde Akinleye, Ayantunji Amoo.
3. Rattlesnake (1995):
Many people watched the recent remake and admired its touching storyline, but I wonder how many of them know the first Rattlesnake was shot as far back as 1995. This old school movie told the story of Ahanna Okolo played by Francis Duru (younger character) and Okechukwu (older character).
Ahanna lost his dad under suspicious circumstances as a child and ventured into a life of crime, fending for his siblings with whatever money he got from his criminal adventures. He then went on to live a double life as a well respected businessman and an armed robber.
The late Amaka Igwe directed this movie, and it starred veterans like Francis Duru, Nkem Owoh, Emeka Ike, Kanayo O, Kanayo, Sunny McDon, Ebele Uzochukwu and Okechukwu Igwe.
4. Karishika (1996):
The movie follows Karishika, a demon queen sent by the devil himself to tempt men on earth. She took advantage of their lust, greed and desires of the flesh to lure them into evil and condemnation. She had her fun with a lot of men until she met a very gifted man of God who withstood her seduction and confronted her evil with his good.
It featured Becky Okorie, Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Sandra Achums, Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi, Obi Madubogwu, and it was directed by Christian Onu.
5. Igodo (1999):
This brilliant film told the story of a village that was tormented by evil spirits and witchcraft. The only remedy to chase the evil spirits away was for the men in the village to go to the dangerous evil forest and bring back a sword with amazing powers to battle supernatural forces.
Igodo decided to join the quest alongside other brave men, and he in particular, overcame several adventures on his way. Directed by Andy Amenechi, it featured Sam Dede, Pete Edochie, Norbert Young, Charles Okafor and Prince James Uche.
6. Glamour Girls (1994):
The movie was all about a group of independent women in Nigeria who lived their lives as escorts till they achieved enough financial security and independence within a world ruled by men. Its story delved into their relationships, life challenges, and the baggages that came with their chosen profession. Its cast included Remi Abiola, Ayo Adesanya Hassan, Francis Agu, Kingsley Ahizu and Bukky Ajayi.
7. Sakobi: The Snake Girl (1999):
This Nollywood film focused on Francis who loved money to the point of sacrificing his only daughter to get wealth in return. However, Kongodi eventually rejected the life of his daughter as sacrifice and Francis faced the consequences with a short life span.
Directed by Zeb Ejiro, it featured Saint Obi, Susan Patrick, Tony Umez, Edith Ujay, Sunday Omobolanle and Zik Okafor.
8. Living in Bondage (1992):
No Nollywood follower who knows the genesis of the industry we have today can forget this amazing movie. It told the story of a man who joined a secret cult, killed his wife in a ritual sacrifice, received massive wealth as a reward, only to later be tormented by his dead wife’s ghost.
Directed by Chris Obi Rapu, it featured Kenneth Okonkwo, Nnenna Nwabueze, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Francis Agu and Okechukwu Ogunjiofor.
9. Domitilla (1996):
This was a crime drama that concentrated on a young Domitilla Junior, who involved herself with several romantic escapades just to survive. However, she and her prostitute buddies eventually got caught up in the mysterious demise of a politician, and they must do everything possible to prove they had no hand in it.
This one was also directed by Zeb Ejiro, and the cast members were Ann Njemanze, Sandra Achums, Ada Ameh, Kate Henshaw and Charles Okafor.
10. Diamond Ring (1998):
Another one we all watched and still reminisce about. The story revolved around a Chidi, a freshman in the university and the only child of his parents, stealing a diamond ring from a corpse. The spirit of that corpse eventually haunted Chidi and his friends, and members of their cult began to die one after the other.
With Tade Ogidan as director, veterans like Richard Mofe Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Bukky Ajayi and Liz Benso gave us this masterpiece alongside the talented Teju Babyface.
What Nollywood Veterans Have Said About New Nollywood:
Kalu Ikeagwu said, “The quality of movies are quite good. It has changed a lot from (what obtained) before. There are a lot of technological advancements and better equipment now. Story-wise, that is taking more of a back seat. In the past, stories were quite original. But these days, there is a tendency to pander to western culture, which distracts from what we originally stand for. I think we need to start going back to things that are relevant in our society. That was how we captured the attention and imagination of the world in the first place when Nollywood first started.
When we started, things were a lot more streamlined. I started (acting) on stage, and people who started on stage have a lot of discipline instilled in them. It is that discipline that keeps one going. Talent is one thing. If one has talent but does not have drive, discipline and fortitude, one won’t have much to sustain oneself. A lot of people come into the industry but without the foundational qualities that are needed for longevity. That is why many of them fall by the wayside. Out of a hundred, one may find only ten who have fortitude. I have seen people who came into the industry not knowing anything and found out they were about to burn out. But, with resilience and humility, they were able to learn a few things from older people.”
Wale Ojo recently added, “When I used to watch the old Nollywood, those were the stories that used to excite me. Those are Ramsey Noah’s flicks, Rita Dominic, Pete Edochie, Omotola Jalade, Genevieve Nnaji. The stories were really good. The acting was great.
I know that things had moved on, but in this age of artificial intelligence, perhaps, they [morden day actors] have taken on more of artificial acting rather than realness which was there [old Nollywood], and which you actually find more in Yoruba movies, by the way.
I remember watching Hubert Ogundes, Jide Kosoko, Baba Suwe, Papilolo. These were real hard core veterans at that time.
Things have changed and they must change. Things have changed for the better and some things have also changed for the worse. And I can understand this feeling of nostalgia for wanting to go back to the old Nollywood. The wonderful thing would be to marry that old Nollywood now with new Nollywood so that it is a marriage that would please our audiences.”
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