IMDb > Cry Freedom (1987)
Cry Freedom
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Cry Freedom (1987) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 2)
Cry Freedom (1987) -- 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.
Cry Freedom (1987) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.3/10   4,628 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers:
John Briley (screenplay) and
Donald Woods (books)
Contact:
View company contact information for Cry Freedom on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
6 November 1987 (USA) more
Genre:
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
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 11 nominations more
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)

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
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

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)
Filming Locations:

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. more
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. more
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.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Peter Gabriel: Play (2004) (V) more
Soundtrack:
Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
10 out of 11 people found the following comment useful.
Fine all round performances, 1 April 2002
8/10
Author: Alex Brown (alex_brown@blueyonder.co.uk) from Woking, England

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.

Was the above comment useful to you?
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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Cry Freedom (1987)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
John Thaw... merrickj-1
A truly great film pearl_paid_peanuts
do you see any connections... ILoveBoysx24
Would this film be good for.... kgrizuc15
Too much Donald Woods not enough Steve Biko D8Player
Poisoned Tee-Shirts mikepth
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