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

Videos (see all 2 NEW)
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   4,592 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 3% 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:
Biography | Drama more
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:
Dickie Attenborough & Craig David Triumph At Emmas
 (From WENN. 27 April 2001)

User Comments:
Must-viewing just to begin to understand apartheid's legacy 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:
UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)
Filming Locations:
Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Often shown in two 80-minute parts, allowing for a convenient intermission in cinemas and for the two parts to be shown, for example, a week apart on television. 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:
Donald Woods: Do you know anyone we can trust, who has a car
Tenjy: I trust me! And I have a car!
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.
9 out of 10 people found the following comment useful.
Must-viewing just to begin to understand apartheid's legacy, 28 September 1999
9/10
Author: GMeleJr from Miami & Sao Paulo, BR

CRY FREEDOM is an excellent primer for those wanting an overview of apartheid's cruelty in just a couple of hours. Famed director Richard Attenborough (GANDHI) is certainly no stranger to the genre, and the collaboration of the real-life Mr. and Mrs. Woods, the main white characters in their book and in this film, lends further authenticity to CRY FREEDOM. The video now in release actually runs a little over 2 and a half hours since 23 minutes of extra footage was inserted to make it a two part TV miniseries after the film's initial theatrical release. While the added length serves to heighten the film's forgivable flaws: uneven character development and blanket stereotyping in particular, another possible flaw (the insistence on the white characters' fate over that of the African ones) may work out as a strength. Viewing CRYING FREEDOM as a politically and historically educational film (as I think it should, over its artistic merits), the story is one which black Africans know only too well, though the younger generation may now need to see it on film for full impact. It is the whites who have always been the film's and the book's target audience, hopefully driving them to change. Now twelve years after the movie's production, CRY FREEDOM is in many ways a more interesting film to watch. Almost ten years after black majority rule has been at least theorically in place, 1987's CRY FREEDOM's ideals remain by and large unrealized. It therefore remains as imperative as ever for white South Africans, particularly the younger ones who have only heard of these actions to see it, and absorb the film's messages. In total contrast to American slavery and the Jewish Holocaust's exposure, South Africans' struggles have been told by a mere two or three stories: CRY FREEDOM, CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY (OK, Count it twice if you include the remake), and SARAFINA (did I miss one?). All three dramas also clumsily feature American and British actors in both the white and black roles. Not one South African actor has played a major role, white, coloured, Indian or Black!). And yes I did miss another international South African drama, MANDELA and DEKLERK. Though this (also highly recommended) biopic was released after black majority rule was instituted, MANDELA was played by a Black American (Sidney Poitier, who also starred in the original S.A.-themed CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY), while the Afrikaner DeKlerk was played by a (bald) very British Michael Caine, a good performance if you can dismiss that the very essence of Afrikanerdom is vehement anti-British feelings. Until local SABC TV and African films start dealing with their own legacy, CRY FREEDOM is about as authentic as you'll get. As villified as the whites (particularly the Afrikaners) are portrayed in the film, any observant (non-casual) visitor to South Africa even now in 1999, not to mention 1977 when CRY FREEDOM takes place, will generally find white's attitudes towards blacks restrained, even understated. Looking at CRY FREEDOM in hindsight, it is amazing that reconciliation can take place at all, and it is. But CRY FREEDOM at time shows not much has really changed in many people's minds yet, and that the Black Africans' goal to FREEDOM and reconciliation is still ongoing. This is why if you're a novice to the situation, CRY FREEDOM, is your best introduction.

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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
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
in the beginning..(need answers ASAP) ms_Hayastan
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