Cry Freedom (1987)

PG   |    |  Biography, Drama, History

Cry Freedom (1987) Poster

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

7.4/10
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59 Metascore

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  • Jeff Goldblum at an event for Cry Freedom (1987)
  • Denzel Washington in Cry Freedom (1987)
  • Denzel Washington in Cry Freedom (1987)
  • Cry Freedom (1987)
  • Cry Freedom (1987)
  • Cry Freedom (1987)

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Awards

Nominated for 3 Oscars.

Another 5 wins & 13 nominations.

Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
1 April 2002 | redkiwi
8
| 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.

Metacritic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Did You Know?

Trivia

Denzel Washington was cast as Steve Biko after producer/director Richard Attenborough saw him on an episode of St. Elsewhere (1982).

Quotes

Wendy Woods: I know you. You're willing to tear our lives to see Donald Woods on a book cover. And you're using Steve's death as an excuse.
Donald Woods: Bloody hell!

Goofs

Tires screeching on dusty dirt road.

Crazy Credits

Opening disclaimer: "With the exception of two characters whose identity has been concealed to ensure their safety, all the people depicted in this film are real and all the events true."

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."

Soundtracks

Auld Lang Syne
Written by Robert Burns
Played during new year's eve

Storyline

Plot Summary

Synopsis (WARNING: Spoilers)

Genres

Biography | Drama | History

Details

Release Date:

6 November 1987

Language

English

Country of Origin

UK

Filming Locations

Also filmed at Unit L Shopping Centre, Seke, Chitungwiza, Harare, Zimbabwe

Box Office

Budget:

$29,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$318,723 8 November 1987

Gross USA:

$5,899,797

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,899,797

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