Cry, the Beloved Country (1995)

A South African preacher goes to search for his wayward son, who has committed a crime in the big city.

Director:

Darrell Roodt (as Darrell James Roodt)

Writers:

Ronald Harwood (screenplay), Alan Paton (novel)

Stars:

Richard Harris, James Earl Jones, Vusi Kunene

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Earl Jones	...	Rev. Stephen Kumalo
Richard Harris	...	James Jarvis
Vusi Kunene	...	Theophilus Msimangu
Charles S. Dutton	...	John Kumalo
Tsholofelo Wechoemang	...	Child
Dolly Rathebe	...	Mrs. Kumalo
Ramolao Makhene	...	Mpanza
Jack Robinson	...	Ian Jarvis
Jennifer Steyn	...	Mary Jarvis
Patrick Ndlovu	...	Man 1
Darlington Michaels	...	Man 2
King Twala	...	Man 3
Somizi Mhlongo	...	Young Thief
Sam Ngakane	...	Mafolo
John Whiteley	...	Father Vincent

Storyline

South African church minister Steven Kumalo is summoned from his village to Johannesburg. There he finds that his son Absolom has been jailed in connection with a robbery in which a white man was killed. The father of the white man, James Jarvis, is a supporter of apartheid, the separation of the races which is the law of South Africa. When they encounter each other, both Kumalo and Jarvis come to unexpected realizations not only about their sons, but about the nature of their own humanity.

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Plot Keywords:

1940s | racial tension | apartheid | south africa | remake | 

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Taglines:

Divided by injustice. Two men unite.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The background instrumental music in the movie is the same as the theme song from the movie Zulu (1964).

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Quotes

James Jarvis: Go well, umfundisi.
Rev Stephen Kumalo: Stay well, umsana.

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Connections

Version of Lost in the Stars (1974)

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Soundtracks

Exile
Music by Enya
Lyrics by Roma Ryan
Performed by Enya
Produced by Nicky Ryan

User Reviews

A 5 hanky story if you're NOT easily moved.

I could not believe as I read other reviewers of this movie that they thought it "irrelevant"! The struggle for equality, peace and love is NEVER irrelevant. This was a movie that by any standards is brillant and moving. James Earl Jones does a magnificent job of playing the main character with dignity and restraint. He makes you suffer with him as a result. A drama coach I once had told me, don't you cry, let them cry. He does both through his amazing minimalist acting. He doesn't waste himself on meaningless gestures & histronics, he lets you see the suffering of his soul. Equally brillant is Richard Harris as the father of the son killed by Jones' son. These two men are brought together in the worst of circumstances and that is when the true character of the man is revealed. Despite all his racist comments earlier in the movie, he overcomes his own self-hate (translated to Africans) to see the bigger picture that his own son knew all along. Someone once said, you cannot hate anything in someone else, unless it reflects something you hate within yourself. Through the pain & death of his son, he transcends his own sense of self-loathing. He sees with the eyes of love that people are just people, no matter what color their skin is. A movie that communicates that is never irrelevant or unimportant.

Details

Official Sites:

Miramax [United States]

Country:

South Africa USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 October 1995 (South Africa)

Also Known As:

Llanto por la tierra amada

Filming Locations:

Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa

Box Office

Gross USA:

$670,727

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$670,727

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alpine Pty Limited, Distant Horizon, Miramax

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1