Cry Freedom (1987)

81% of critics liked it
(21 reviews)
85% of users liked it
(8,954 ratings)

Richard Attenborough directed this dramatic story, based on actual events, about the friendship between two men struggling against apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s. Donald Woods (Kevin Kline) is a white liberal journalist in South Africa who begins to follow the activities of Stephen Biko… More Richard Attenborough directed this dramatic story, based on actual events, about the friendship between two men struggling against apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s. Donald Woods (Kevin Kline) is a white liberal journalist in South Africa who begins to follow the activities of Stephen Biko (Denzel Washington), a courageous and outspoken black anti-apartheid activist. Woods and his wife Wendy (Penelope Wilton) get to know Biko, and they become friends, until Biko is brutally murdered at the hands of government troops in 1977 for his activities against the country's repression of the black majority population. Donald is shocked and appalled by Biko's murder and determined that the truth about Biko will become known to the world; eventually, Donald and Wendy Woods and their children must leave South Africa (and nearly everything they have) as they spread the word about Biko's life and death to ensure that he did not die in vain. Washington received an Academy Award nomination for his performance as Biko. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Richard Attenborough
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Nov 6, 1987 Wide
On DVD: Feb 23, 1999
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Washington does a remarkable job of transforming himself into the articulte and mesmerizing black nationalist leader, whose refusal to keep silent led to his death in police custody and a subsequent coverup.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
These are fine methods for delivering a civics lesson, which to some extent is what the Attenborough approach is all about. But for a film that aspires to entertain as well as educate, they are less helpful.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Cry Freedom is a sincere and valuable movie, and despite my fundamental reservations about it, I think it probably should be seen.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
In a country busier than Chile with oppression, violence and subjugation, the story of Woods' slow awakening is certainly not the most exciting, or revealing.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
Biko was unflappable, logical and witty in life, and Washington conveys that solidity onscreen.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
As a biopic, anti-Apartheid chronicle, the film is mediocre, but the young Denzel Washington is excellent, rendering an Oscar-nominated performance.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
One of the best films to come out of the 1980s. Simply amazing.
Steve Crum, Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers
A historical document as well as powerful, disturbing drama
Mark Salisbury, Time Out
An implacable work of authority and compassion, Cry Freedom is political cinema at its best.
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Sincere and movie - but not enough Denzel.
Michael H. Price, Fort Worth Business Press
Often harrowing and naturalistic but ultimately self-important in its indictment of police-state politics.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
One of the best films of 1987 with its searing condemnation of racism and violence in South Africa.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
a Hollywood whitewashing of a potentially explosive story

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lenny M

Great Acting, very moving story.
xGary X

Typically worthy and well-made biopic of Steven Biko and his death at the hands of the racist south african regime from Richard Attenborough. The first half of the film featuring the man himself played by Denzel in one of his best roles works better, as we get to know the man and his… More
Typically worthy and well-made biopic of Steven Biko and his death at the hands of the racist south african regime from Richard Attenborough. The first half of the film featuring the man himself played by Denzel in one of his best roles works better, as we get to know the man and his motives. It's harder to care about Kline's attempts to escape the country in the wake of Biko's death, but it's still fascinating stuff.
Dean M

Extraordinary true-life story of friendship between black activist and white newspaper editor in South Africa who told against the backdrop of a turbulent but beautiful land rich in everything but common humanity.
Jonny C

Good movie based on actual events in 70's S.Africa. Set during the apartheid an unlikely friendship between a white liberal and a black activist form the basis of the story. Kline and Washington are on top form, but it has a TV movie feel from beginning to end. I usually… More
Good movie based on actual events in 70's S.Africa. Set during the apartheid an unlikely friendship between a white liberal and a black activist form the basis of the story. Kline and Washington are on top form, but it has a TV movie feel from beginning to end. I usually don't watch this genre of movie, as the depress the shit out of me, but one of my students was studying the book for his literature class so I thought I'd cut a few corners. Cry Freedom is a worthwhile watch, but you will be shocked by the level of cruelty done by the S, African government at that time.
Barry L

Typical of its type but very powerful.
Leo L

A great film.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Kevin Kline as Donald Woods

            Penelope Wilton as Wendy Woods

            Denzel Washington as Stephen Biko

            Kevin McNally as Ken

            Timothy West as Capt. de Wet

            Juanita Waterman as Juanita/Ntsiki Biko

            John Hargreaves as Bruce

            Alec McCowen as Acting High Commissioner

            Zakes Mokae as Father Kani

            Ian Richardson as State Prosecutor

            Josette Simon as Dr. Ramphele

            Miles Anderson as Lemick

            Tommy Buson as Tami

            Jim Findley as Peter Jones

            Kate Hardie as Jane Woods

            Alton Kumalo as Speaker

            Louis Mahoney as Lesotho Government Official

            Mawa Makondo as Jason

            Joseph Marcell as Moses

            Sophie Mgcina as Evalina

            John Paul as Wendy's Stepfather

            Wabei Slyolwe as Tenjy

            Gwen Watford as Wendy's Mother

            Andrew McCulloch as Policeman Nel

            Graham Fletcher-Cook as Nel's Partner

            Tony Vogel as Roadblock Policeman

            James Aubrey as Passport Control Officer

            Judy Cornwell as Receptionist

            Nick Tate as Ritchie

            Shelley Borkum as Woods's Receptionist

            Niven Boyd as Roadblock Policeman

            Carl Chase as Policeman

            Julian Glover as Don Card

            Hepburn Graham as Soga

            David Guwaza as Prisoner

            Garick Hagon as McElrea

            John Hartley as Passport Control Officer

            David Henry as Afrikaner Farmer

            William Marlowe as Police Captain at Soweto

            John Matshikiza as Mapetla

            Robert Phillips as Speaker at Funeral

            Simon Shumba as Young Lesotho Official

            Gerald Sim as Police Doctor

            Gwyneth Strong as Girl at Funeral

            John Thaw as Kruger

            David Trevena as Mortician

            Michael Turner as Judge Boshoff

            Buddy Uzzaman as Mortician's Assistant

            Andrew Whaley as Sub-Editor

            Gary Whelan as Police Sergeant

            Peter Cartwright as Senior Police Officer

            Paul Hertzberg as Beukes

            Neil McPherson as Lemick's Assistant

            Philip Bretherton as Maj. Boshoff

            Peter Cary as White Frontier Policeman

            Carlton Chance as Rugby Player

            Basil Chidyamathamba as Brother-in-Law

            Ruth Chinamando as Mother

            James Young von Coine
            
            Michael Graham Cox as Passport Control Officer

            Dudley Dickin as Nationalist Party Delegate

            Karen Drury as Young Secretary

            Angela Gavaza as Shebeen Queen's Niece

            Patricia Gumede as Shebeen Queen

            Kalie Hanekom as Magistrate Prins

            Christopher Hurst as Roadblock Policeman

            Russell Keith Hurst as Security Guard

            Paul Jerricho as Sgt. Louw

            Dominic Kanaventi as Black Frontier Policeman

            Munyaradzi Kanaventi as Samora Biko

            George Lovell as Nkosinathi Biko

            Claude Maredza as Rugby Player

            Peggy Marsh as "Helen Suzman"

            Walter Matemavi as Nephew

            Sam Mathambo as Lesotho Passport Officer

            Kimpton Mativenga as Black Security Policeman

            Tichatonga Mazhindu as Dilima

            Robert McNamara as Security Policeman

            Nocebo Miambo as Aunt

            Hilary Minster as Passport Control Officer

            Clement Muchachi as Father

            Walter Muparutsa as Lesotho Businessman

            Glen Murphy as Security Guard

            Marcy Mushore as Niece

            Star Ncube as Prisoner

            Albert Ndinda as Alec

            Marilyn Poole as Acting High Commissioner's Wife

            Lawrence Simnbrashe as Informer

            Xoliswa Sithole as Nurse at Clinic

            Hans Sittig as Security Policeman

            Graeme Taylor as Dillon Woods

            Fishoo Tembo as Biko's Brother

            Adam Stuart Walker as Duncan Woods

            Hamish Stuart Walker as Gavin Woods

            Spring Stuart Walker as Mary Woods

            William Morgan Sheppard as Policeman
See full cast