Donald Woods (Kevin Kline) is chief editor of the liberal newspaper "Daily Dispatch" in South Africa. He has written several editorials critical of the views of Steve Biko (Denzel Washington). But after having met him for the first time, he changes his opinion. They meet several times, and this means that Woods and his family get attention from the Security Police. When Steve Biko dies in Police custody, he writes a book about Biko. The only way to get it published is for Woo... (Full plot summary below)
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Donald Woods (Kevin Kline) is chief editor of the liberal newspaper "Daily Dispatch" in South Africa. He has written several editorials critical of the views of Steve Biko (Denzel Washington). But after having met him for the first time, he changes his opinion. They meet several times, and this means that Woods and his family get attention from the Security Police. When Steve Biko dies in Police custody, he writes a book about Biko. The only way to get it published is for Woods to illegally escape the country.
Leave your thoughts about Cry Freedom.
| MovieholeClint MorrisOne of the best films to come out of the 1980s. Simply amazing. |
| Time OutMark SalisburyAn implacable work of authority and compassion, Cry Freedom is political cinema at its best. |
| EmpireRobyn KarneyOnly stony hearts won't be moved by Attenborough's vivid, if occasionally sentimental, evocation of a great well of human potential cruelly snubbed out. |
| EmanuelLevy.ComEmanuel LevyAs a biopic, anti-Apartheid chronicle, the film is mediocre, but the young Denzel Washington is excellent, rendering an Oscar-nominated performance. |
| Fort Worth Business PressMichael H. PriceOften harrowing and naturalistic but ultimately self-important in its indictment of police-state politics. |
| Washington PostRita KempleyThe proficiency of the actors powers the movie despite a stiff script and Attenborough's preference for choreographed crowd scenes over intimacy. |
| The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Jay ScottBewildering at some points and ineffectual at others, but it isn't dull. Its frankly grandiose style is transporting in its way, as is the story itself, even in this watered-down form. |
| Washington PostDesson ThomsonAttenborough's aims are more academic and political than dramatic. By following an initially wrongheaded white character, he clearly wants to reach out to similar audiences. Cry could have reached further. |
| Kalamazoo GazetteJames Sanforda Hollywood whitewashing of a potentially explosive story |
| Common Sense MediaBarbara Shulgasser'80s drama about apartheid has violence, language. |
