Cry Freedom (1987)

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.

Director:

Richard Attenborough

Writers:

John Briley (screenplay), Donald Woods (books)

Stars:

Josette Simon, Wabei Siyolwe, Kevin Kline

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Donald Woods is chief editor of the liberal newspaper Daily Dispatch in South Africa. He has written several editorials critical of the views of Steve Biko. But after having met him for the first time, he changes his opinion. They meet several times, and this means that Woods and his family get attention from the security police. When Steve Biko dies in police custody, he writes a book about Biko. The only way to get it published is for Woods himself to illegally escape the country.

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Plot Keywords:

south africa | journalist | newspaper | editor | activist | 

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Taglines:

The true story of the friendship that shook South Africa and awakened the world

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 November 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Grito de libertad

Filming Locations:

Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe

Box Office

Budget:

$29,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$5,899,797 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Marble Arch Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

157 min 147 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

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Goofs

When the Woods family are on the beach planning their getaway (supposedly the beach close to East London, South Africa) the "sea" has vegetation growing out of it (trees, branches etc.). No filming could take place in South Africa at the time, so this scene was filmed at Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe.

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Quotes

State Prosecutor: But your own words demand for DIRECT CONFRONTATION!
Steve Biko: That's right, we demand confrontation.
State Prosecutor: Isn't that a demand for violence?
Steve Biko: Well, you and I are now in confrontation, but I see no violence.

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Crazy Credits

Preceding the final credits is a list of other detainees who died in the custody of the South African police. Steven Biko's name appears on the list.

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Connections

Featured in Peter Gabriel: Play (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika"

User Reviews

Possibly the best ever work for all involved

As anyone old enough knows, South Africa long suffered under the vile, racist oppression of apartheid, which completely subjugated the black population. One of the most famous anti-apartheid activists was Steve Biko, who was murdered in jail. Following the murder, reporter Donald Woods sought to get Biko's message out to the world.

In "Cry Freedom", Woods (Kevin Kline) befriends Biko (Denzel Washington) before the latter is arrested on trumped up charges. When Woods attempts to spread Biko's word, he and his family begin living under threat of attack, and they are finally forced to flee the country. The last scene gut-wrenchingly shows police firing on protesters.

As one of two movies (along with "A World Apart") that helped galvanize the anti-apartheid movement, "Cry Freedom" stands out as possibly the best ever work for all involved.