Cry, the Beloved Country (1951)

In the back country of South Africa, black minister Stephen Kumalo (Canada Lee) journeys to the city to search for his missing son, only to find his people living in squalor and his son a ... See full summary »

Director:

Zoltan Korda

Writers:

Alan Paton (novel), Alan Paton (screenplay),

Stars:

Canada Lee, Charles Carson, Sidney Poitier

Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Canada Lee	...	Stephen Kumalo
Charles Carson	...	James Jarvis
Sidney Poitier	...	Reverend Msimangu
Joyce Carey	...	Margaret Jarvis
Geoffrey Keen	...	Father Vincent
Michael Goodliffe	...	Martens, Probation Official at Reformatory
Edric Connor	...	John Kumalo, Brother of Stephen
Charles McRae	...	Church Friend of Stephen
Lionel Ngakane	...	Absolom Kumalo, Son of Stephen
Vivien Clinton	...	Mary (Wedded to Absolom)
Albertina Temba	...	Mrs. Kumalo, Wife of Stephen
Bruce Anderson	...	Frank Smith, Farmer and Friend of James Jarvis
Bruce Meredith Smith	...	Captain Jaarsveldt, Policeman Bearing News of Murder
Berdine Grunewald	...	Mary Jarvis, Wife of Arthur
Cecil Cartwright	...	Harrison, Father of Mary Jarvis

Storyline

In the back country of South Africa, black minister Stephen Kumalo (Canada Lee) journeys to the city to search for his missing son, only to find his people living in squalor and his son a criminal. Reverend Misimangu (Sidney Poitier) is a young South African clergyman who helps find his missing son-turned-thief and sister-turned-prostitute in the slums of Johannesburg.

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Plot Keywords:

africa | based on novel

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Taglines:

The Screen Brings New Power And Greatness To Alan Paton's Best-Selling Novel!

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 April 1952 (UK)

Also Known As:

African Fury

Filming Locations:

Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

London Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At about 18 minutes into the movie, the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" (AKA Wemoweh and Mbube) is sung behind the dialogue. Its use is possibly the earliest mass release version ever of the song, predating The Weaver's release of Wemoweh by at least a year.

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Connections

Version of Cry, the Beloved Country (1995)

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Soundtracks

Composed by Raymond Gallos-Montbrun
Directed by Dr. Hubbert Clifford
Performed by London Film Symphony Orchestra

User Reviews

Stick with this film.

Cry, the Beloved Country is not slick and is not a visual spectacle. However, that is not what it is about. It makes its point slowly but strongly and not in a glossy superficial way. It made me cry. This film also stars Sidney Poitier and that is always a good thing.