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IMDbPro

A Dry White Season

  • 19891989
  • RR
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
5.7K
YOUR RATING
A Dry White Season (1989)
  • Drama
  • Thriller
A white middle class South African suburbanite with no interest in politics agrees to help his black gardener find his jailed son. His investigation opens his eyes to the horrors committed b... Read allA white middle class South African suburbanite with no interest in politics agrees to help his black gardener find his jailed son. His investigation opens his eyes to the horrors committed by the secret police and turns him into a target.A white middle class South African suburbanite with no interest in politics agrees to help his black gardener find his jailed son. His investigation opens his eyes to the horrors committed by the secret police and turns him into a target.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
5.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Euzhan Palcy
  • Writers
    • André P. Brink(novel)
    • Colin Welland(screenplay)
    • Euzhan Palcy(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Donald Sutherland
    • Janet Suzman
    • Zakes Mokae
Top credits
  • Director
    • Euzhan Palcy
  • Writers
    • André P. Brink(novel)
    • Colin Welland(screenplay)
    • Euzhan Palcy(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Donald Sutherland
    • Janet Suzman
    • Zakes Mokae
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 43User reviews
    • 24Critic reviews
    • 68Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 2 wins & 9 nominations total

    Photos51

    "Dry White Season, A" Marlon Brando
    A Dry White Season (1989)
    A Dry White Season (1989)
    A Dry White Season (1989)
    Marlon Brando and Michael Gambon in A Dry White Season (1989)
    Marlon Brando and Michael Gambon in A Dry White Season (1989)
    Marlon Brando in A Dry White Season (1989)
    Marlon Brando in A Dry White Season (1989)
    Michael Gambon in A Dry White Season (1989)
    Marlon Brando in A Dry White Season (1989)
    Marlon Brando in A Dry White Season (1989)
    Marlon Brando in A Dry White Season (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Donald Sutherland
    Donald Sutherland
    • Benas Ben
    Janet Suzman
    Janet Suzman
    • Susanas Susan
    Zakes Mokae
    Zakes Mokae
    • Stanleyas Stanley
    Jürgen Prochnow
    Jürgen Prochnow
    • Captain Stolzas Captain Stolz
    • (as Jurgen Prochnow)
    Susan Sarandon
    Susan Sarandon
    • Melanieas Melanie
    Marlon Brando
    Marlon Brando
    • McKenzieas McKenzie
    Winston Ntshona
    Winston Ntshona
    • Gordonas Gordon
    Thoko Ntshinga
    • Emilyas Emily
    Leonard Maguire
    • Bruweras Bruwer
    Gerard Thoolen
    Gerard Thoolen
    • Col. Viljoenas Col. Viljoen
    Susannah Harker
    Susannah Harker
    • Suzetteas Suzette
    Andrew Whaley
    • Chrisas Chris
    Rowen Elmes
    • Johanas Johan
    Stella Dickin
    • Susan's Motheras Susan's Mother
    David de Keyser
    David de Keyser
    • Susan's Fatheras Susan's Father
    • (as David De Keyser)
    John Kani
    John Kani
    • Juliusas Julius
    Sophie Mgcina
    • Margaretas Margaret
    Bekhithemba Mpofu
    • Jonathanas Jonathan
    • Director
      • Euzhan Palcy
    • Writers
      • André P. Brink(novel)
      • Colin Welland(screenplay)
      • Euzhan Palcy(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      With this movie, Writer and Director Euzhan Palcy became the first black female to direct a major Hollywood movie.
    • Goofs
      When Marlon Brando is in court grilling the Doctor. His glasses are on, then they pan away from him for a moment then back to him and his glasses are up on his head. Then they pan away for just a second, and when they go back to him, they are down again. Very subtle but easy to notice.
    • Quotes

      Ian McKenzie: Justice and law, Mr. Du Toit, are often just... well they're, I suppose they can be described as distant cousins. And here in South Africa, well, they're simply not on speaking terms at all.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Black Rain/Heavy Petting/In Country/A Dry White Season/Heart of Dixie (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      UNOMATHEMBA
      Written by Joseph Shabalala

      Performed by Ladysmith Black Mambazo

      Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records

      Produced by Danny Lawson for Night After Night Ltd.

    User reviews43

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    watch it and never forget.
    One day in South Africa in the 1960's, a young black man was walking along the street with his aged mother. Coming along the road was a young white man. The young black man knew that apartheid law and custom meant that the white would probably barge the two blacks off the pavement and into the gutter. The law would protect him and the young black man might be imprisoned for defending himself. The young black man tensed his muscles and prepared to defend his mother, but was amazed when the Englishman stepped off the pavement and doffed his broad brimmed hat in greeting. Later on the two would become friends and allies. The white man was to become bishop Trevor Huddleston, the black man, bishop Desmond Tutu.

    That story is NOT the story of A Dry White season, but it is of a kindred spirit. Like the gesture of Trevor Huddleston, the story of Ben de Tor is a gesture against apartheid. A glimmer of hope, but merely that, a flicker.

    It must be five years since I saw a Dry White Season but I still remember how I felt leaving the cinema. It is a film which will stay with you.

    The plot follows a white South African on an adventure through bewilderment, revelation, denial, disgust, and a futile attempt to fight a grossly unfair system.

    I can't go into detail after this length of time but the cameos in this film would be worth the video rental. Marlon Brando (yes) steals the show as the lawyer who knows exactly how hopeless the fight against apartheid is but agrees to fight anyway.

    The political situation today in South Africa is a world away from that of A Dry White Season. Watch it and never forget.
    helpful•45
    13
    • shell-26
    • Apr 24, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 20, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Afrikaans
      • Zulu
    • Also known as
      • Weiße Zeit der Dürre
    • Filming locations
      • Zimbabwe
    • Production companies
      • Davros Films
      • Star Partners II Ltd.
      • Sundance Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $9,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $3,766,879
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $202,507
      • Sep 24, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,766,879
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 46 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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