A Dry White Season (1989)
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86% of critics liked it
(21 reviews) -
65% of users liked it
(2,432 ratings)
Schoolteacher Ben du Toit (Donald Sutherland) has been insulated all his life from the horrors of apartheid in his native South Africa. Perhaps he really didn't want to know. When the son of his black gardener is arrested and beaten as a result of a schoolboy protest in Soweto, at first he… More Schoolteacher Ben du Toit (Donald Sutherland) has been insulated all his life from the horrors of apartheid in his native South Africa. Perhaps he really didn't want to know. When the son of his black gardener is arrested and beaten as a result of a schoolboy protest in Soweto, at first he imagines the police must have had their reasons. However, the boy is picked up again, and this time he doesn't come back. Ben promises his servant that he will look into the incident, and discovers that the boy was killed simply to gratify the violent urges of Captain Stolz (Jurgen Prochnow), a "special branch" policeman. At long last he has gotten a glimpse into the truly arbitrary and violent nature of the system he has so long benefitted from, and he hires Ian Mackenzie (Marlon Brando) to prosecute the killer. It is a foregone conclusion that Stolz will not be punished, but Mackenzie rises to new heights of withering sarcasm and irony in the courtroom. This situation turns Ben into a radical firebrand, which alienates him from his white friends and neighbors, as well as members of his family. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- Directed By
- Euzhan Palcy
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
R,
- In Theaters
- Sep 15, 1989 Wide
- On DVD
- Nov 8, 2005
- Studio
- MGM
Critic Reviews
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
The relentless plot is effectively set up and expertly pursued, and Hugh Masekela makes some striking contributions to Dave Grusin's musical score.
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Sheila Benson, Los Angeles Times
It's filled with obvious, earnest performances--Marlon Brando's ironic and subtle one is the only exception--and unresonant writing.
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Damon Wise, Time Out
Whites debating racial injustice: fine for a book published in Afrikaans a decade ago, but a poor premise for a message movie.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
Mr. Brando appears only briefly and is badly missed. His character takes the whole film a notch above where it might otherwise go.
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Jeanne Cooper, Washington Post
"A Dry White Season" bursts through your door and beats you senseless; it seems perverse to question its technique and only days later can you question its logic.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Donald Sutherland
as Ben du Toit
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Winston Ntshona
as Gordon Ngubene
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Zakes Mokae
as Stanley Makhaya
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Jürgen Prochnow
as Capt. Stolz
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Susan Sarandon
as Melanie Bruwer
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Marlon Brando
as Ian McKenzie
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Janet Suzman
as Susan du Toit
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Leonard Maguire
as Mr. Bruwer
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Rowen Elmes
as Johan du Toit
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Gerard Thoolen
as Colonel Viljoen
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Stella Dickin
as Susan's Mother
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David de Keyser
as Susan's Father
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Andrew Whaley
as Chris
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John Kani
as Julius
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Sophie Mgcina
as Margaret
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Bekhithemba Mpofu
as Jonathan
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Tinashe Makoni
as Robert
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Precious Thiri
as Wellington
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Richard Wilson
as Cloete
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Derek Hanekom
as Viviers
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Michael Gambon
as Magistrate
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Paul Brooke
as Dr. Herzog
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Susannah Harker
as Suzette du Toit
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Rosemary Martin
as Mrs. Beachley
- Hugh Masekela
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Thoko Ntshinga
as Emily Ngubene
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Ronald Pickup
as Louw
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Mercia Davids
as Sadie
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Grant Davidson
as Lieutenant Venter
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Mannie de Villiers
as Police Commandant
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Ndu Gumede
as Douma
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Stephen Hanly
as Sgt. Van Zyl
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Kevin Johnson
as Gert
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Sello Maake
as Johnson Seroke
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Anna Manimanzi
as Soweto Girl
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Ernest Ndlovu
as Archibald Mabaso
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Charles Pillai
as Dr. Hassiem
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Andre Proctor
as Jaimie
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Willie Zweni
as Aubrey Kunene
