Cry Freedom
A white South African editor risks his life to expose apartheid after friendship with Steve Biko transforms his understanding of injustice.
Overview
A gripping tale of courage and friendship in the face of oppression.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- serious
- politically charged
- suspenseful
- historical film night
- social justice discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly valued the film's sincerity, scale, political commitment, and performances while finding its focus on Woods and conventional escape-thriller structure limiting.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Donald Woods begins as a critic of Steve Biko's views but changes his position after meeting him and witnessing the consequences of apartheid repression.
Woods uses his newspaper, editorials, and a book about Biko to challenge the security state.
The relationship between white editor Donald Woods and Black activist Steve Biko drives Woods's political and personal commitment.
Woods must illegally leave South Africa to publish his account of Biko and apartheid.
Films like Cry Freedom, and why
A World Apart
historical political drama centered on apartheid, moral awakening, and institutional racism
Gandhi
biographical social-justice drama portraying resistance to racial oppression through personal relationships
The Killing Fields
serious historical drama about journalism, political repression, and courage under authoritarian power
Mississippi Burning
racial injustice drama driven by friendship, activism, and resistance to state violence
Movie Details
- Director
- Richard Attenborough
- Release Date
- 1987-11-06
- Runtime
- 157 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (240)
Cast
- Kevin Kline
- Denzel Washington
- Penelope Wilton
- Kate Hardie
- John Matshikiza
- Zakes Mokae
- John Thaw
- Kevin McNally
- John Hargreaves
- Juanita Waterman
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Cry Freedom about?
- A white South African editor risks his life to expose apartheid after friendship with Steve Biko transforms his understanding of injustice.
- What is Cry Freedom like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Cry Freedom as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Cry Freedom violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Cry Freedom as moderate.
- What did critics think of Cry Freedom?
- Critics broadly valued the film's sincerity, scale, political commitment, and performances while finding its focus on Woods and conventional escape-thriller structure limiting.
- Which films are like Cry Freedom?
- Films with a similar feel include A World Apart, Gandhi, The Killing Fields, and Mississippi Burning.
- How long is Cry Freedom?
- Cry Freedom runs 157 minutes.
- Where can I watch Cry Freedom?
- In United States, Cry Freedom is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
