7.5/10
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51 user 17 critic

Cry Freedom (1987)

PG | | Biography, Drama, History | 6 November 1987 (USA)
Cry Freedom Poster
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:

Writers:

(screenplay), (books)

Stars:

, , | See full cast & crew »
Reviews

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From $2.99 (SD) on Amazon Video

ON DISC
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 11 nominations. See more awards »

Photos

18 photos | 75 news articles »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Josette Simon ...
Dr. Ramphele
Wabei Siyolwe ...
Tenjy
John Matshikiza ...
Mapetla
Juanita Waterman ...
Evelyn Sithole ...
Nurse at clinic
Xoliswa Sithole ...
Nurse at clinic
James Coine ...
Young boy
...
...
Ken
Albert Ndinda ...
Alec
Andrew Whaley ...
Sub-Editor
Shelley Borkum ...
Woods' receptionist
...
...
Wendy Woods
...
Jane Woods
See full cast »
Edit

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. Written by Mattias Thuresson

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

editor | activist | south africa | newspaper | journalist | See All (27) »

Taglines:

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

Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
Edit

Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

6 November 1987 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Grito de libertad  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$29,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$5,899,797 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

,  »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

(70 mm prints)| (35 mm prints)

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was selected as one of the Top Ten Films of the year in 1987 by the USA's National Board of Review. See more »

Goofs

Tires screeching on dusty dirt road. See more »

Quotes

Steve Biko: ...but you a black child, smart or dumb, you're born into this and smart or dumb, you'll die in it
See more »

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. See more »

Connections

Featured in The Universal Story (1995) See more »

Soundtracks

Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika
See more »

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User Reviews

I cried! Recommend you rent this movie...
18 June 2002 | by (Oregon) – See all my reviews

Cry Freedom was such a touching, unforgettable film. The acting was amazing, and they picked the perfect cast. I watched this at my school last year for the first time, and the first scene made me want to cry! Cry Freedom made me laugh, cry, confused, and made me just want to scream at those people who treated blacks cruelly! I recommend you rent this movie. 10/10
14 of 22 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?
Review this title | See all 51 user reviews »

Message Boards

Recent Posts
Too much Donald Woods not enough Steve Biko D8Player
A truly great film pearl_paid_peanuts
Poisoned Tee-Shirts mikepth
great movie onlyastateofmind
Version of Nkosi Sikeleli Africa in this movie luccastrel
The countryside mikepth
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