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:

Denzel Washington, Kevin Kline, Josette Simon

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 13 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 (Kevin Kline) is chief editor of the liberal newspaper "Daily Dispatch" in South Africa. He has written several editorials critical of the views of Steve Biko (Denzel Washington). 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 to illegally escape the country.

---

Plot Keywords:

south africa | social injustice | racism | apartheid | white savior | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

---

Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ffilmed in Zimbabwe, rather than South Africa, due to the political unrest there at the time.

---

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.

---

Quotes

Speaker at funeral: I love Steve Biko but I hate the system that killed him.

---

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.

---

Alternate Versions

On certain versions, the list of detainees who died in custody (see "Crazy Credits") is followed by a message: "Since the re-imposition of Emergency Regulations on 11th June, 1987, no further information regarding political detainees has been forthcoming."

---

Connections

Featured in 73rd Golden Globe Awards (2016)

---

Soundtracks

Auld Lang Syne
Written by Robert Burns
Played during new year's eve

User Reviews

The timeless message of Cry Freedom

I show this film to university students in speech and media law because its lessons are timeless: Why speaking out against injustice is important and can bring about the changes sought by the oppressed. Why freedom of the press and freedom of speech are essential to democracy. This is a must-see story of how apartheid was brought to the attention of the world through the activism of Steven Biko and the journalism of Donald Woods. It also gives an important lesson of free speech: "You can blow out a candle, but you can't blow out a fire. Once the flame begins to catch, the wind will blow it higher." (From Biko by Peter Gabriel, on Shaking the Tree).

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 November 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cry Freedom

Filming Locations:

Also filmed at Unit L Shopping Centre, Seke, Chitungwiza, Harare, Zimbabwe

Box Office

Budget:

$29,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$318,723, 8 November 1987

Gross USA:

$5,899,797

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,899,797

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 Stereo (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1