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IMDbPro

The Biko Inquest

  • TV Movie
  • 19841984
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
30
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
76,801
18,718
The Biko Inquest (1984)
DramaHistory
Based on the official transcripts of the investigation that followed after the very suspicious notorious death in prison of one of the most important leading men of the South African anti-ap... Read allBased on the official transcripts of the investigation that followed after the very suspicious notorious death in prison of one of the most important leading men of the South African anti-apartheid movement, Steven Biko.Based on the official transcripts of the investigation that followed after the very suspicious notorious death in prison of one of the most important leading men of the South African anti-apartheid movement, Steven Biko.
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
30
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
76,801
18,718
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Directors
      • Graham Evans
      • Albert Finney
    • Writers
      • Jon Blair
      • Norman Fenton
      • Joshua Sinclair
    • Stars
      • Michael Aldridge
      • Nigel Davenport
      • Mark Dignam
    Top credits
    • Directors
      • Graham Evans
      • Albert Finney
    • Writers
      • Jon Blair
      • Norman Fenton
      • Joshua Sinclair
    • Stars
      • Michael Aldridge
      • Nigel Davenport
      • Mark Dignam
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Photos

    Peter Gabriel in The Biko Inquest (1984)
    The Biko Inquest (1984)
    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Aldridge
    Michael Aldridge
    • Dr. Tucker, Chief District Surgeon
    Nigel Davenport
    Nigel Davenport
    • Colonel Goosen, head of security police
    Mark Dignam
    Mark Dignam
    • Martinus Prins, magistrate
    Albert Finney
    Albert Finney
    • Sidney Kentridge, for Biko family
    Stafford Gordon
    • Major Snyman, interrogation team
    Michael Gough
    Michael Gough
    • Professor Loubser, State Pathologist
    Edward Hardwicke
    Edward Hardwicke
    • Professor Proctor, pathologist
    Paul Jerricho
    Paul Jerricho
    • Lieutenant Wilken
    • (as Paul Jerrico)
    Richard Johnson
    Richard Johnson
    • Dr. Hersch, consultant
    John Standing
    John Standing
    • Van Rensburg, for Attorney General
    Paul Fryer
    • Clerk to van Rensburg
    Betty Bod Hlela
    • Steve Biko's widow
    Peggy Phango
    Peggy Phango
    • Steve Biko's mother
    Benny Mayer
    • Steve Biko's brother
    Doreen Webster
    • Singer
    Alan Field
    • Kentridge's assistant
    Roy Seely
    • Assessor
    Colin Thomas
    • Assessor
    • Directors
      • Graham Evans
      • Albert Finney
    • Writers
      • Jon Blair
      • Norman Fenton
      • Joshua Sinclair
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    User reviews1

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Powerful and revealing
    This is a televised play/film based on the real transcripts of the inquest following the death of anti-apartheid South-African leader Steven Biko.Even for that reason only, it is a highly interesting piece, however,its value is enhanced by the powerful script and dialogue as well as the strong performances by the cast.Albert Finney directed this, his second (and last, up to now at least) directorial attempt after the scandalously underrated ''Charlie Bubbles'' in 1968.His job is a rather discreet one,as he lets the documents and the power of both truth and deception speak for themselves and, to those familiar with the real events, it will seem as an honest piece of work, without propagandistic sentimentalities. Richard Attenborough's film ''Cry freedom'', which shortly followed Finney's, narrates the events that led to Biko's arrest and subsequent death, it however takes many poetic licenses, a case not to be found in this one.It is powerful, at times shocking and I can only lament the fact that Finney has never seriously moved to the directorial seat before or since that.
    helpful•12
    2
    • katerinand
    • Apr 1, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 12, 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Channel 4 Television Corporation
      • Embassy Communications
      • United British Artists (UBA)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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