Sarafina! (1992) User Reviews

A must see movie

[Sylviastel · 7/10 · 3 December 2001]

I believe Sarafina is a tremendous effort of Whoopi Goldberg. Besides her, there are no other stars in the film and her role is smaller than the title character, Sarafina. Since I work in a high school with urban children, I think this is an important film to show South African history of apartheid. Sarafina is a movie about education and a teacher's relationship with her student, Sarafina. I bought the video for practically nothing at a videostore. I watched it and fast forwarded through the musical numbers. But I strongly recommend this film to educators and their students to understand. Now while I don't know the other actors and actresses in the film, I assume that they are very popular in South Africa and I am glad that they filmed with a South African cast and crew with the exception of Goldberg in a small role but if it gets people to see this movie, than Whoopi reaches worldwide appeal.

What Was I On in College?

[thesar-2 · 5/10 · 31 December 2013]

I have to look up my original review for Sarafina! that I wrote back in 1992. I wrote it for the college newspaper and, of course, I kept all my articles I wrote that were published. I have some fond and funny memories of this movie review from over 20 years ago.

#1: I called it the very best movie of 1992. Hands down, no question. And the year was just barely half over.

#2: My editor/teacher edited my article and the line: "…and it's the best movie of 1992" to "…and it's the best movie of 1992, in my opinion." I thought that was the funniest and saddest thing I ever seen her write. OBVIOUSLY it's my opinion, or I wouldn't have accomplished the goal of writing a movie review, or: opinion piece. (We published it WITHOUT her input/edit.)

Wow. Well, in my defense, I saw it at a screener and I must've been in an excellent mood that day. Because there are things wrong above and it ain't my mentor's editing. (She is still wrong.)

One should never conclude the year in September and state this or that's the best or worst of the year. *Especially* with award season coming up. Also, I was definitely wrong: This is the same year that released Aladdin, Unforgiven, Scent of a Woman, Basic Instinct, A Few Good Men…just to name a handful and all of my favorite movies. And some of those came out earlier than this one. So, I truly don't know what I was on.

At any rate, fast forward to 2013. I found this movie on DVD for a very small amount on Amazon.com. Thinking that I absolutely loved it in 1992, and that it'll probably never appear on BluRay, I purchased it. Somehow it sat shelved until recently and I rewatched it, only for the 2nd….and last time.

Yeah, it didn't hold up. I even felt I was over-generous for giving it 3/5 (or in IMDb-land 5/10.) Sure the story was there and the heart was in the actors, but the songs were really mediocre at best and the feeling was only mild this time.

The oddest and most coincidental thing about this viewing was that I decided, after almost a year of owning it without revisiting it, I would watch it finally and it was just past the passing of Nelson Mandela. This movie's core is about him and why they fight and move forward. I hadn't remembered that from my original viewing over two decades past.

I guess I would recommend this movie, but, regrettably, not as much as I did long ago. It's a movie about war, peace, hope and prevailing. It's uplifting, fun and funny at spots while also being deep and depressing. It's not a great musical, but it's one we can stand behind.

* * * Final thoughts: Wait until you get to 12/31 before you choose what's the best of the year. Take my amateur word for it.

Critical Historical Viewing of Sarafina

[a-fisher · 7/10 · 15 September 2008]

Sarafina was a fun movie, and some of the songs were really great. Sarafina was very entertaining. I don't normally like music things like this, but the singing was not lame like it looked like on the box. The movie was useful for learning about history because it was an interesting perspective of the Soweto rioting of 1976. It showed you things from the perspective of the students in the rioting and showed you that they were real characters. Because you got to see them as real characters this makes you like them more as an audience, and makes you more sympathetic to them as totally the victims of the white government, who you can not sympathise with. The singing of the students is correct because we know from accounts that the students in the riot were singing and dancing before it became violent. The clothing of the students in Sarafina is very similar to the clothing shown in photos from Soweto. They made the movie actually in Soweto, which is why it looks very accurate in many parts. All these things make the film more accurate for someone using it to learn about aparthied. As viewers we must be critical of the way the history of Apartheid was presented. As I said before, you become sympathetic to the students - this makes it potentially less reliable and objective. Also, it changes some of the details from other accounts. In Sarafina it turns to chaos when the policeman comes into their classroom and shoots the students. The police and army were very aggressive at Soweto, but this is probably an exaggerated event. The police and army did shoot students, but there is not evidence of them going into schools and executing people like this. The fighting was more in the streets and had looting and crime. This is done in the movie probably to make you feel more sorry for the school students. The movie would have been more useful if it had some different information about aparthied. The teacher was arrested for being against the government, and the mum goes to work in a white persons house. But there is not any information about the government and why they were doing it or any details about the racist policies and laws. -By George S, Chris and Finlay

Genuine and resourceful

[kaptenmarvel · 20 September 2001]

Sarafina! is all about strength, about people lacking it and people overflowing with it. Sarafina herself is a Soweto girl with great hopes for the future, despite her family's poverty and her mother's (Miriam Makeba) work away from home, forcing Sarafina to take care of her younger siblings. This is South Africa, Johannesburg, during the Apartheid regime, Mandela is in prison and the black children are forbidden to speak their own language, Xosa (you know, the click language... :)). Yet, Sarafina dreams. Her world brightens up when her class get a new teacher (Whoopi Goldberg), who teaches them about their worth and to be proud of their heritage. I fully recommend this movie, the actors, young and practically unheard of, are fantastic, the script is sharp, and the music! See this movie for the music alone. No Makeba, but lots of powerful political Soweto tunes. Go Sarafina!

What was this movie suppoased to be

[sutcal · 2/10 · 9 June 2000]

I just didn't get this movie...Was it a musical? no..but there were choreographed songs and dancing in it...

Was it a serious drama....no the acting was not good enough for that.

Is Whoopi Goldberg a quality serious Actor..Definently not.

I had difficulty staying awake through this disjointed movie. The message on apartheid and the "tribute" to the students who died during a student uprosing is noted. But as entertainment this was very poor and as a documentary style movie it was worse.

See for yourself, but in fairness I hated it

Good Movie Filled with a Message of Hope

[Shooshoo80 · 10/10 · 15 August 2001]

A DAMN GOOD MOVIE! One that is seriously underrated. The songs that the children sing in the movie gave me a sense of their pain, but also their hope for the future. Whoopi Goldberg puts in a good performance here, but the best performance throughout the whole movie is that of the actress who plays the title character. I wish she was in more movies.

This movie should have a higher rating. I give it a 10/10.

horrible movie (Spoilers!)

[eliebson · 2/10 · 10 July 2006]

This was an awful movie! Not for the subject matter, but for the delivery. I went with my girlfriend at the time (when the movie came out), expecting to see a movie about the triumph of the human spirit over oppression. What we saw was 2 hours of brutal police oppression, with no uplift at the end. The previews and ads made NO mention of this! Plus, for all that they played up whoopi goldberg, my recollection is that she is arrested and killed in the first 20 minutes! Again, the previews say nothing about this! (not that you would expect that, but it's just more of the problem). If I had known how depressing this movie would be, I would've never have seen it. Or at least, I would've been prepared for it. This was a bait and switch ad campaign, and I will NEVER see this movie again!

Sarafina

[Lindas7774 · 10/10 · 10 January 2005]

I saw this movie, and the play, and I have to add that this was the most touching story that I had ever seen. Until I saw this movie I was unaware of how awful life was and probably still is for the South African children and adults that were and are living in that era. It brought tears to my eyes and much sadness to my heart that any human being should have to struggle like that just to stay alive, And to bring the children right out of that area and teach them to act and preform and turn them loose to tell their own story is simply amazing. This simply surpass a five star, I rate it a ten. Thank You Mr. Mbongeni Ngema for such a astonishing story. Although it has been 12 years since this story has been told, it is still one that lays heavy in my heart.If there is a VHS, or DVD out there on the play, Please notify me ASAP.Thank You. PS There was nothing wrong with the kids wanting to bring awareness of their problems and conditions to the attention of other countries in hopes that some one would have a heart and offer assistance.

"They fear you because you are the future."

[moonspinner55 · 3/10 · 22 July 2014]

An apartheid musical--adapted from a minor hit on Broadway in 1988--ostensibly directed at families (with Whoopi Goldberg's casting the commercial hook). South African students, led by headstrong teenager Sarafina, protest and riot when their beloved teacher, the politically-wise Mary Masombuka, is taken to prison over arguments implementing the West Germanic Afrikaans as the school's language. Would-be inspirational effort, a pet project for Whoopi, was shot on-location in Soweto and Johannesburg, and does a fairly interesting job mixing the harsh realities of this strife-ridden city with unabashed singing and dancing (mainly used as fantasy subtext). However, the political points are made early on in Mbongeni Ngema's and William Nicholson's screenplay, so there are no plot twists nor anywhere special the picture can go. The impetus of the material is to teach us something through the students' passionate fervor, but director Darrell Roodt can only work up a mild head of steam, falling back on that old stand-by: sermonizing. Meanwhile, Goldberg, in sedate mode as Mary, smiles serenely at the kids, nodding quietly in agreement with their protestations (she has the patience of 100 saints). Her first involvement in an early number, a musical prayer set on the school grounds, is ridiculously clumsy. The teenagers, energetic to a fault, fare somewhat better. *1/2 from ****

Fantastic Stage show - good movie

[Kaety · 27 July 2004]

I saw Sarafina as a stage show/musical when I was only a teenager and it drove home for me the hardships of young people in Africa. I saw this movie AFTER Nelson Mandela was released and yet it still is an overwhelmingly powerful movie. I enjoyed it and personally don't think that the musical aspects spoil the message and it does the original cast proud!!! Bravo! Whoopi Goldberg lends her brilliant compassion to the role and helps to endear the school teacher who supports the kids to the audience.

Unlike the traditional song and dance musicals which were all sweetness and light this movie manages to tackle hard and unpleasant issues whilst still being uplifting at times and glorious musically!

Full of joy and tears - what a gem!

[clevelander · 9/10 · 28 December 2002]

I bought this cheap from the rental remnant at our local store. It was in almost mint condition, and I'd never heard of it before. Clearly nobody else had either.

I can't believe my luck. You go through the whole realm of emotions and it attempts to get over a complex message - the very moral and non-triumphalist stance of the Mandela Party, undoubtedly. Despite its enormous length (I had to watch it in two sittings) - it was like a book one couldn't put down. Perhaps the songs are not all that memorable, but the spirit of the thing glows on forever. I cannot understand comments that a musical (clearly designed for stage) is not realistic! I've seen "South Pacific" and read the book too, and can guarantee that musical is not realistic compared to the book. I'll treasure this little find until it wears out. One day they'll make this again on a better budget.

Freedom is Coming

[TSMChicago · 10/10 · 2 March 2013]

Darrell James Roodt directed this superb film based on the 1988 Tony Award nominee for Best Musical and Best Actress in a Musical. A gripping drama depicting the apartheid struggle and subsequent student riots in Soweto, South Africa that is laced with fantastic songs and production numbers. The cast features Whoopi Goldberg, South African singing legend Miriam Makeba (Pata Pata) and the amazing Leleti Khumalo in the title role. Also watch for Robert Whitehead's chilling performance as a prison interrogator. Includes songs by the film's co-writer Mbongeni Ngema who also plays Constable Sabela in the film. Additional selections were written by Hugh Masekela (Grazing in the Grass). The energetic choreography is by Michael Peters (Thriller).

Go see this movie now!

[Tanabi5790 · 7 September 2003]

Any fans of "The Lion King" (film -or- musical) and "The Power of One" will enjoy this film beyond belief. Based on the broadway musical "Sarafina!", this film (distributed by Buena Vista [Walt Disney Studios]) definetely meets my expectations.

It isn't about the acting. I personally think that the cast was amazing, but for those select few who think Whoopi Goldberg did a so-called "mediocre" acting job, this film is about a story, a very strong story. Who cares about the acting? I mean, look at "Gone With The Wind". The acting sucks and look how popular it is!

So anyway, the story is very dramatic and sort of violent, but is very emotional and touching. The music is fantastic, "Freedom is Coming Tomorrow" being one of the highlights of the film. If you haven't seen this movie, go see it now, regardless of what people say. It is an amazing film.

I love this movie

[joelakalpram · 10/10 · 22 November 2014]

I've always love this movie from when I was a kid. I saw this movie when video cassette was still the main thing to watch a movies.

Just recently, I bought Sarafina DVD on Amazon but some of the music in the video aren't in the DVD version.

There is a song, # 9 on the music track that isn't in the DVD version, when Sarafina's mother sang, it was more a whole clip of her singing and that isn't in there either.

Can someone explain to me as to why that is the case? Or tell me where I can purchase the whole movie DVD. Track #9 was one of my favorite song which is why I noticed it wasn't in the movie when I re-watched it...

A beautiful movie depicting the horrid apartheid era in South Africa

[robi-crl · 9/10 · 10 December 2013]

If you are looking for a funny, moving movie that could best depict the life of teenagers during the despicable apartheid era in south Africa, this is one. The main character hooks her hopes on the then imprisoned Nelson Mandela. One easily understands the role Mandela played for his people, and understands the controversies that the apartheid era played on the common public in their every day lives. I would also recommend this movie to those who don't know what apartheid was and are hoping to learn about it in a interesting way. They music and dancing is also wonderfully African. It is sometimes hard for westerners to appreciate the African call-chorus music arrangement. This is why some critics have been very harsh on the music. However I call to them to not look at this movie as a typical traditional musical such as the 'sound of music', it is an African musical and respects African music arrangements. Enjoy the movie :)

Beautiful South African film

[lxndrprkr · 10 August 2011]

Sarafina! the film is based on Mbongeni Ngema's play of the same name and it draws inspiration from the student riots that took place in Soweto, Johannesburg in 1976. The film/play was never intended to be a historical documentary explaining Apartheid for an international audience but rather a story about young black South Africans living under Apartheid.

The film is an excellent adaptation and the musical numbers are well integrated but also evoke the stage through their inclusion. Some may feel that it is inappropriate in a film about such serious issues, but songs and music formed an important element to anti-apartheid protests and they should be seen within this context. The film 'Mapantsula' made five years earlier, demonstrates this same tendency as prisoners sing as they are led into the cells.

The film is beautifully shot - the red earth features very strongly - subtly reminding us of mother Africa. It's incredibly well written - I don't think there has been such a well-written film to come out of the country since. Ngema captures the struggle for freedom - the big picture - but does not lose sight of the fact that these were also just teenagers filled with the same angst as teenagers everywhere. Ultimately the film portrays a realistic view of oppression and freedom fighting. It was not easy to live under apartheid neither was it easy to fight against it and there are no heroes in the killing of people, no matter how good the cause.

A fantastic film that needs to be better understood.

Segregation cleverly explained through irresistible music and dance

[lotussong · 10/10 · 10 July 2015]

Apartheid from the touching perspective of a hopeful teenager dreaming and fighting for a better future for her generation.

Sarafina! Is a brilliant adaptation of a 1988 Boadway musical narrating the struggles and hopes of a young South African student and her schoolmates during the controversial era of Apartheid, characterised by escalating violence and intolerance against the black community.

It stars Hollywood star Whoopy Goldberg cast as Mary Masombuka, Sarafina's courageous teacher, imprisoned for daring to inspire her students to feel proud of their origin.

In this film emerging actress Leleti Khumalo gives an exceptional interpretation of the leading character, a fierce, bright and optimistic young woman from Soweto.

It also features singer Mariam Makeba cast as Angelina, Sarafina's mother, employed as a domestic servant by a white family in order to support financially her children living in a deprived area of Soweto.

The remaining extraordinarily talented cast, mainly composed by internationally unknown South African actors, the powerful soundtrack, featuring a glorious "Freedom is coming" amongst other fabulous songs and the intensity of the dialogues, tackling controversial political and social issues, make this film a masterpiece not to be missed.

Sarafina!thoroughly succeeds in depicting the tremendous power of education and knowledge for social and political change.

I highly recommend it to everyone, especially young audiences for its powerful message on equality and hope for a brighter future.

An inspirational, educational & magical film!

[Tiger_JD · 10/10 · 17 December 2019]

This is the most uplifting film that displays the colour of hope during the Apartheid in South Africa.

Hugh Masekela, RIP

[lee_eisenberg · 9/10 · 9 February 2018]

In 1992, South Africa's transition away from four decades of institutionalized racism was underway, so it made sense to release a movie about apartheid. There had been a couple of movies about the topic by this point (Cry Freedom, A World Apart, A Dry White Season), but to my knowledge no famous movie had featured black South Africans as the main characters until "Sarafina!". It makes clear that the apartheid government was a militaristic, near fascist regime - sending armed guards into the schools to make sure that the black students only learn the government-approved syllabus - but also that the black majority knew that they had power in their numbers. It's got some of the most impressive music.

While Whoopi Goldberg's presence gets touted, another important cast member is singer Miriam Makeba. Makeba was one of the most famous activists in the country. Here she plays the mother of the title character, working as a domestic servant for a white family. When Sarafina goes to visit her mother, the employer casually greets her. Cordial though it may seem, it's clear that this white family will never accept Sarafina or Sarafina's mother as their equals.

We could be cynical and say that even since the end of apartheid, conditions remain the same for blacks white many of the whites still cling to racist attitudes. Even so, it's important to understand the history, especially since the apartheid government did things like send troops to Angola to back an autocrat against the country's independence movement.

And yes, the recently deceased Hugh Masekela did some of the music.

Beyond unrealistic!

[fierce_mink_2000 · 18 September 2002]

I only saw a few minutes of Sarafina!, but I must comment. I think a musical can never be a great teaching tool for anything but a drama class. I have been to South Africa, and granted, it has changed since the days of apartheid, what I saw in this movie is nothing like reality. Even today, the classrooms are not that nice, and the black people I met were nothing like the ones in the movie. I was privileged to see a few concerts of African music, and to spend a large amount of time in classrooms, both in white schools and black schools (yes, they are still segregated, although by location, class and money, rather than law). The general attitude of the people I saw in the movie was inaccurate, as were many details. I couldn't even figure out exactly what story they were trying to tell until I looked it up on TV Guide because it was so generically "African". I am sure that as entertainment and emotional manipulation, the movie is quite effective, but if you are interested in history, please find a more accurate source.

Student Protest

[view_and_review · 8/10 · 11 October 2020]

"Sarafina!" deals with a most sensitive and tragic topic: apartheid (think Jim Crow, but more repressive). Anyone familiar with South African apartheid knows exactly how oppressive, repressive, and suppressive it was. "Sarafina!" approaches the topic a little lighter than other movies have by making it a musical.

The character Sarafina was played by Leleti Khumalo. She was a school age girl who, like many students and youth in South Africa at the time, chose to oppose the apartheid regime in her own way. She, as well as other students, were supported in their opposition by their teacher Mary Masembuko (Whoopi Goldberg).

Movies like this are difficult to watch, though, like I mentioned, this was one of the lighter apartheid movies. Still, I think movies like this are so important to watch to validate the struggle of so many Black South Africans and give it the recognition it deserves.

Good story ruined as a musical

[forgottenlord · 5 December 2003]

I think the best way to look at this idea is I got into an argument with my mom over how good the movie was. I thought it was a ludicrous musical, she thought it was a very thoughtful and beautiful movie. Ends up in musicals, she just hits the fast forward button through the music.

The story is great, the message it tries to give is great, the music detracts from the movie. With the exception to a few songs (in particular the one from the jail house), the majority of the songs detract from the movie - making it seem rather ridiculous and detracting from the overall presentation.

Depicts life the way it was during apartheid in South Africa

[rmsaviye · 9 April 2009]

I am not a South African, but I know how bad life was for them back then. People world over should understand that music is a way in which Africans best express their emotions, so making Sarafina! a musical added to the flavor of the movie. Sarafina! reigns supreme to this day, thanks to Whoopi and Leleti. The scenes shown are not exaggerated. (People were really beaten and killed brutally back then).

You'd need to watch more African movies(like Shaka Zulu, Ipintombi etc) to really appreciate the "music" part of it. Leleti Khumalo and Whoopi Goldberg hit home and act well together as a student and her dear teacher respectively. I wish we could have a sequel to it. All in all it is a GREAT movie and well acted.