Cry Freedom (1987)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Richard Attenborough

Writers:

John Briley (screenplay) and
Donald Woods (books)

Release Date:

6 November 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

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.

Plot Keywords:

Newspaper | Journalist | Activist | South Africa | Editor

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

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

Runtime:

157 min | Canada:147 min (Ontario)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

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:

Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Denzel Washington was cast for the role of Biko after Richard Attenborough saw him in an episode of "St. Elsewhere" (1982).

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.

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.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Peter Gabriel: Play (2004) (V)

Soundtrack:

Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika

***1/2 out of *****

An overlong, but compelling retelling of the friendship between civil rights leader Steve Biko and Donald Woods. The first half of the film is the strongest where we see the bond formed between the two men, and how they help each other out, but the second half isn't as strong, due to the elimination of the Biko character. Still, its a compelling film with great performances by Kline and Washington, in the film that put the latter on the map. Washington was also was nominated for best supporting actor for the first time. Overall, a well made film that could have been trimmed down a bit. 7/10.____________________________________