Directed by:
Richard AttenboroughScreenplay:
John BrileyCinematography:
Ronnie TaylorCast:
Kevin Kline, Denzel Washington, Penelope Wilton, John Thaw, Ian McNeice, Julian Glover, Garrick Hagon, Ian Richardson, James Aubrey, Alec McCowen, Gwen Watford (more)VOD (4)
Plots(1)
Richard Attenborough directs this biographical drama starring Denzel Washington as South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko. When white newspaper editor Donald Woods (Kevin Kline) meets Steve Biko, his own implicit racism is challenged as he becomes more aware of just how poorly black people are being treated. However, his efforts to assist Biko in his campaign for equality are met with resistance by the racist government. When it becomes clear that Woods' life and career are in danger, he makes a daring attempt to evade capture and flee the country with his young family. (Fabulous Films)
(more)Videos (1)
Reviews (1)
A slowly flowing, classically constructed drama about a crisis in one country and two strong characters who rebelled against the times, the conditions, and the prevailing power. Richard Attenborough represents undeniable quality, although somewhat conservative, and we don't get any dynamic or innovative filmmaking from him. But from his filmography, I prefer Cry Freedom the most, and I give it preference over the much more famous Gandhi, where too much respect for an international celebrity and the value hierarchy that he represented is shown. The courage of the heroes in Cry Freedom is unpretentious, civilian, and they are simply not textbook characters, but flesh and blood people. From today's viewer's perspective, the film can be criticized for possibly overly long duration and unhurried pace, but the story of the escape from South Africa still has plenty of strong moments. I can imagine several filmmakers who could have made the most of the story much more effectively and played with the emotions and tension of the audience much stronger, but I like that Attenborough didn't push too hard. I am adding half a star for the theme. Overall impression: 90%.
()