Cry Freedom is a 1987 epic apartheid drama film directed and produced by Richard Attenborough, set in late-1970s apartheid-era South Africa. The screenplay was written by John Briley based on a pair of books by journalist Donald Woods. The film centers on the real-life events involving South African activist Steve Biko and his friend Donald Woods, who initially finds him too radical, and attempts to understand his way of life. Denzel Washington stars as Biko, while Kevin Kline portrays Woods.
The film delves into the ideas of discrimination, political corruption, and the repercussions of violence. Cry Freedom is a worthwhile watch, but it does depict the atrocities committed by South African government authorities during its repressive and inhuman apartheid regime, the country's racist policy that lasted from 1948 to 1994. The film is a tribute to the bravery, intelligence, and idealism of Steven Biko.
The film was primarily shot on location in Zimbabwe due to not being allowed to shoot in South Africa at the time of production. Cry Freedom was commercially distributed by Universal Pictures, opening in the United States on 6 November 1987. The film received mixed reviews from critics. Roger Ebert gave the film four stars out of four, calling it "an implacable work of authority and compassion, Cry Freedom is political cinema at its best." Leonard Maltin rated the film with 3 Stars, writing that the film was a "sweeping and compassionate film".
Trailer
Cast
- Denzel Washington as Steve Biko
- Kevin Kline as Donald Woods
- Penelope Wilton as Wendy Woods
- Alec McCowen as British Acting High Commissioner
-Kevin McNally as Ken Robertson - Ian Richardson as State Prosecutor
- John Thaw as Jimmy Kruger
- Timothy West as Captain De Wet
- Josette Simon as Dr. Mamphela Ramphele
- John Hargreaves as Bruce Haigh
- Miles Anderson as Lemick
- Zakes Mokae as Father Kani
-John Matshikiza as Mapetla
There were also several other actors who played supporting roles in the film, including Juanita Waterman, Evelyn Sithole, Xoliswa Sithole, James Coine, Kevin McNally, John Thaw, and many others.
Director: Richard Attenborough
Writer: Donald Woods
Box Office Gross: $5,899,797
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Genre: History, Drama, Biography
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 6, 1987
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 11, 2015