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Cry Freedom (1987)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
6 November 1987 (USA)
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Tagline:
The true story of the friendship that shook South Africa and awakened the world
Plot:
South African journalist Donald Woods is forced to flee the country after attempting to investigate the death in custody of his friend the black activist Steve Biko. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Newspaper
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Journalist
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Activist
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South Africa
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Editor
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Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars.
Another 3 wins
&
11 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Zakes Mokae obituary
(From The Guardian - Film News. 10 November 2009, 10:45 AM, PST)
Dickie Attenborough & Craig David Triumph At Emmas
(From WENN. 27 April 2001)
(From The Guardian - Film News. 10 November 2009, 10:45 AM, PST)
Dickie Attenborough & Craig David Triumph At Emmas
(From WENN. 27 April 2001)
User Comments:
Fine all round performances
more (40 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Josette Simon | ... | Dr. Ramphele |
| Wabei Siyolwe | ... | Tenjy |
| John Matshikiza | ... | Mapetla |
| Juanita Waterman | ... | Ntsiki Biko |
| Evelyn Sithole | ... | Nurse at clinic |
| Xoliswa Sithole | ... | Nurse at clinic |
| James Coine | ... | Young boy |
 | Kevin Kline | ... | Donald Woods |
 | Kevin McNally | ... | Ken |
| Albert Ndinda | ... | Alec |
| Andrew Whaley | ... | Sub-Editor |
| Shelley Borkum | ... | Woods' receptionist |
 | Denzel Washington | ... | Steve Biko |
| Penelope Wilton | ... | Wendy Woods |
| Kate Hardie | ... | Jane Woods |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
157 min | Canada:147 min (Ontario)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) |
Dolby (35 mm prints)
Certification:
Australia:PG |
Iceland:12 |
Canada:PG (Ontario) (TV rating) |
USA:PG (certificate #28716) |
South Africa:PG (re-rating) |
Argentina:13 |
Chile:14 |
Finland:K-12 |
France:U |
Netherlands:12 |
Norway:15 |
South Africa:(Seized) (29 July 1988) |
Sweden:11 |
UK:PG |
West Germany:12 |
Singapore:PG
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The filmmakers intended to shoot in South Africa as early as October 1986 with permission from select prominent figures including Oliver Tambo and Winnie Mandela. After interviewing Mandela, the chief production crew was tailed around by the S.A gestapo all the time and was forced to leave South Africa. Also, the SABC at that time deliberately misinterpreted Richard Attenborough's decision of shooting the film in October and instead broadcast the news of him starting a revolution sponsored by Russia.
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Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: An extra that played a heavily wounded protester (shot in the back during the revolts) in Soweto jumped out of his lying position in a lively fashion when other extras (that were supposed to carry him off) started lifting him off the ground.
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Quotes:
Judge:
Why do you people call yourselves black? You look more brown than black.
Steve Biko: Why do you call yourselves white? You look more pink than white.
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Steve Biko: Why do you call yourselves white? You look more pink than white.
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Movie Connections:
Featured in Peter Gabriel: Play (2004) (V)
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Soundtrack:
Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (40 total)
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Billed as the story of Steve Biko -- played excellently by Denzel Washington, as you'd expect -- this was actually more the story of Donald Woods, played by Kevin Kline.
This was undoubtedly the making of Kline as a serious actor, and he was surprisingly good in the role.
Attenborough gave this the sort of direction you'd expect, and the often spectacular scenes of the masses were those of the sort that only he can get across.
The remainder of the cast was competent enough and did a good job, in what ends up as an ultimately sad tale of a South Africa that is still nowhere near the distant past.