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IMDbPro

Cry Freedom

  • 19871987
  • PGPG
  • 2h 37m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
14K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
12,650
1,316
Kevin Kline and Denzel Washington in Cry Freedom (1987)
BiographyDramaHistory
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.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
14K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
12,650
1,316
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Richard Attenborough
    • Writers
      • Donald Woods(based on 'Biko' by)
      • John Briley(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Denzel Washington
      • Kevin Kline
      • Josette Simon
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Richard Attenborough
    • Writers
      • Donald Woods(based on 'Biko' by)
      • John Briley(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Denzel Washington
      • Kevin Kline
      • Josette Simon
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 62User reviews
    • 25Critic reviews
    • 59Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 5 wins & 16 nominations total

    Videos1

    Remember Denzel's First Roles?
    Video 3:31
    Remember Denzel's First Roles?

    Photos14

    Jeff Goldblum at an event for Cry Freedom (1987)
    Kevin Kline and Denzel Washington in Cry Freedom (1987)
    Kevin Kline and Denzel Washington in Cry Freedom (1987)
    Kevin Kline and Denzel Washington in Cry Freedom (1987)
    Kevin Kline and Denzel Washington in Cry Freedom (1987)
    Kevin Kline and Denzel Washington in Cry Freedom (1987)
    Kevin Kline and Denzel Washington in Cry Freedom (1987)
    Kevin Kline and Denzel Washington in Cry Freedom (1987)
    Kevin Kline and Denzel Washington in Cry Freedom (1987)
    Kevin Kline in Cry Freedom (1987)
    Denzel Washington in Cry Freedom (1987)
    Denzel Washington in Cry Freedom (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Denzel Washington
    Denzel Washington
    • Steve Biko
    Kevin Kline
    Kevin Kline
    • Donald Woods
    Josette Simon
    Josette Simon
    • Dr. Ramphele
    Wabei Siyolwe
    • Tenjy
    John Matshikiza
    John Matshikiza
    • Mapetla
    Juanita Waterman
    • Ntsiki Biko
    Evelyn Sithole
    • Nurse at Clinic
    Xoliswa Sithole
    • Nurse at Clinic
    James Coine
    • Young Boy
    Kevin McNally
    Kevin McNally
    • Ken
    Albert Ndinda
    • Alec
    Andrew Whaley
    • Sub-Editor
    Shelley Borkum
    Shelley Borkum
    • Woods' Receptionist
    Penelope Wilton
    Penelope Wilton
    • Wendy Woods
    Kate Hardie
    Kate Hardie
    • Jane Woods
    Graeme Taylor
    • Dillon Woods
    Adam Stuart Walker
    • Duncan Woods
    Hamish Stuart Walker
    • Gavin Woods
    • Director
      • Richard Attenborough
    • Writers
      • Donald Woods(based on 'Biko' by) (based on 'Asking for Trouble' by)
      • John Briley(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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
      When the Woods family are on the beach planning their getaway (supposedly the beach close to East London, South Africa) the "sea" has vegetation growing out of it (trees, branches etc.). No filming could take place in South Africa at the time, so this scene was filmed at Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe.
    • 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

    User reviews62

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Fine all round performances
    Billed as the story of Steve Biko -- played excellently by Denzel Washington, as you'd expect -- this was actually more the story of Donald Woods, played by Kevin Kline.

    This was undoubtedly the making of Kline as a serious actor, and he was surprisingly good in the role.

    Attenborough gave this the sort of direction you'd expect, and the often spectacular scenes of the masses were those of the sort that only he can get across.

    The remainder of the cast was competent enough and did a good job, in what ends up as an ultimately sad tale of a South Africa that is still nowhere near the distant past.
    helpful•21
    2
    • redkiwi
    • Apr 1, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 6, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Schrei nach Freiheit
    • Filming locations
      • Chitungwiza, Harare, Zimbabwe
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Marble Arch Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $29,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $5,899,797
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $318,723
      • Nov 8, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $5,899,797
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

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