Cry Freedom (B or 3/4 stars)
Set in late-1970s Apartheid South Africa, 'Cry Freedom' (directed by Richard Attenborough) tells a stirring true story about 2 very different men from 2 very different worlds who are drawn together in a struggle against the racist regime. Dynamic Denzel Washington plays the soft-spoken leader Stephen Biko, whose stalwart advocacy of black consciousness & nonviolence greatly inspires his people. Kevin Kline is excellent as Donald Woods, a white liberal newspaper editor who eventually becomes Stephen Biko's friend & biographer.
Joining up to fight apartheid in their beloved country, they must pay a price for their beliefs in human dignity, equality & freedom -- Stephen Biko with his life, and Donald Woods with persecution/self-exile from his homeland. Through the story of these 2 fearless men, director Attenborough conveys the grave costs in human suffering of apartheid with its cruel, severe policies of house arrest, imprisonment & death.
At the same time, Attenborough makes his own moral stand with the film. In a profoundly emotional ending, Attenborough recreates/dramatizes the tragedy that occurred in Soweto in 1976 and then shows us - the audience - a complete roll call of unfortunate souls who have died under suspicious circumstances in South African prisons. The result is a scathing indictment against the inhumanity of the constructors & office-holders of apartheid.
As mentioned, Kline & Washington are great, here -- so charismatic. I also enjoyed performances by Penelope Wilton {as Kline's wife, Wendy} & John Thaw. Ronnie Taylor's cinematography is crisp, colorful and evocative of South Africa {filmed mostly in Zimbabwe & Kenya}. The sets & costumes feel authentic to the time & place. Lesley Walker's editing {of certain sequences} is impressive. And George Fenton's music aids the sweep of the story.
Good movie. Longgg movie. At 157 minutes in length, you'll feel it in your butt. I don't know that this film necessarily needed to be that long. But we're talking about Richard Attenborough, here. Just look at his Gandhi (1982) ... the man likes to provide lengthy films of considerable historical importance. Because of this, there are more than a few slow/dead spots throughout. Some subplots could've been trimmed and, with no lesser effect, etc. Having said that, I admire the film and am glad that it exists.
Joining up to fight apartheid in their beloved country, they must pay a price for their beliefs in human dignity, equality & freedom -- Stephen Biko with his life, and Donald Woods with persecution/self-exile from his homeland. Through the story of these 2 fearless men, director Attenborough conveys the grave costs in human suffering of apartheid with its cruel, severe policies of house arrest, imprisonment & death.
At the same time, Attenborough makes his own moral stand with the film. In a profoundly emotional ending, Attenborough recreates/dramatizes the tragedy that occurred in Soweto in 1976 and then shows us - the audience - a complete roll call of unfortunate souls who have died under suspicious circumstances in South African prisons. The result is a scathing indictment against the inhumanity of the constructors & office-holders of apartheid.
As mentioned, Kline & Washington are great, here -- so charismatic. I also enjoyed performances by Penelope Wilton {as Kline's wife, Wendy} & John Thaw. Ronnie Taylor's cinematography is crisp, colorful and evocative of South Africa {filmed mostly in Zimbabwe & Kenya}. The sets & costumes feel authentic to the time & place. Lesley Walker's editing {of certain sequences} is impressive. And George Fenton's music aids the sweep of the story.
Good movie. Longgg movie. At 157 minutes in length, you'll feel it in your butt. I don't know that this film necessarily needed to be that long. But we're talking about Richard Attenborough, here. Just look at his Gandhi (1982) ... the man likes to provide lengthy films of considerable historical importance. Because of this, there are more than a few slow/dead spots throughout. Some subplots could've been trimmed and, with no lesser effect, etc. Having said that, I admire the film and am glad that it exists.