Cry Freedom (1987)

Director:

Richard Attenborough

Writers:

John Briley (writer)
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:

Friendship | Crusading Newspaper | Human Rights | Investigator | 1970s

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

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Iceland:12 | Australia:PG | USA:PG (certificate #28716) | 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:

Marble Arch Productions Inc.

Trivia:

According to Richard Attenborough, a number of cast members are South African exiles

Goofs:

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)

Superb Movie About Friendship and Fighting for freedom.

Very rarely does Denzil Washington make a bad movie and come to think of it that goes for Kevin Kline and in this case , this must count as one of their best films. It is more about of film about how strong friendship can more than the story of Steve Biko although we do get an insight into what the man was like and how far the reporter and friend Donald Woods went to preserve the mans name and let the world know what a corrupt , putrid society South Africa was. The Direction is outstanding from David Attenborough as it was for Gandhi although if there is any critisism to be aimed it could be at the length of the film. Two and a half hours is a long time to sit through a historic movie .What is amazing is how he manages to control all the extras. Thousands of people in both films. This film really does open your eyes to what happened before the break up of Aparthiet and you cannot fail to moved by it. 8 out of 10.