Cry Freedom

1987
PG
2h 37m

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

15K

YOUR RATING

Kevin Kline and Denzel Washington in 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 anti-Apartheid activist Steve Biko.

Play trailer2:45

2 Videos

17 Photos

Epic Biography Drama History

South African journalist Donald Woods is forced to flee the country after attempting to investigate the death in custody of his friend, the Black anti-Apartheid activist Steve Biko.South African journalist Donald Woods is forced to flee the country after attempting to investigate the death in custody of his friend, the Black anti-Apartheid activist Steve Biko.South African journalist Donald Woods is forced to flee the country after attempting to investigate the death in custody of his friend, the Black anti-Apartheid activist Steve Biko.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

15K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 3 Oscars
- 6 wins & 16 nominations total

Videos2

Trailer 2:45

Official Trailer

Video 3:31

Remember Denzel's First Roles?

Video 3:31

Remember Denzel's First Roles?

Photos17

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The filmmakers intended to shoot in South Africa as early as October 1986, with permission from select prominent figures, including Oliver Tambo and Winnie Mandela. After interviewing Mandela, the production crew was placed under surveillance by the South African security police and followed everywhere. They were eventually forced to leave South Africa. Also, the South African Broadcasting Corp. (SABC) deliberately misinterpreted producer/director Richard Attenborough's decision to shoot the movie in October, and instead broadcast the "news" of his starting a revolution sponsored by Russia.

Goofs
Tires screeching on dusty dirt road.

Quotes
State Prosecutor: But your own words demand for DIRECT CONFRONTATION!
Steve Biko: That's right, we demand confrontation.
State Prosecutor: Isn't that a demand for violence?
Steve Biko: Well, you and I are now in confrontation, but I see no violence.

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 The Eleventh Hour: Biko: Breaking the Silence (1987)

Soundtracks
Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika
Music by Enoch Sontonga

User reviews65

Review

Featured review

7/10

Not exactly a Biko biopic, but better than nothing

If you find apartheid-set films fascinating, you'll want to check out Cry Freedom, a drama starring Denzel Washington as the activist Steve Biko. Kevin Kline comes along for the ride, and as a journalist who clashes with Denzel, but as they get to know each other, he understands his methods and gets drawn to the cause himself.

Parts of this movie are very tense and exciting, as risks are taken to further the greater good. Keep in mind it was made in the 1980s, though, so it won't be as graphic or violent as it would be if made today. Still, for '80s audiences, I'm sure it was educational and eye-opening as to conditions in apartheid South Africa. There's still a modicum of "Hollywood" about this movie: Kevin's character is much more developed than Denzel's, and the entire point of the movie is his shift in support, rather than a straight biopic of Steve Biko with a side character of a journalist. Still, it's always a treat to see actors putting on difficult accents, and you'll also get to see a young Penelope Wilton as Kevin's wife!