Cry Freedom [Blu-ray]

Overview

A powerful drama that helped expose to the world the malfeasance of South African apartheid, Cry Freedom chronicles the fact-based friendship between an outspoken white newspaper editor who brazenly rejects racist British policies and South African pacifistic civil-rights activist Steve Biko. After Biko suspiciously dies, Woods, though forced to flee the country with his family, continued to broadcast Biko's message to the world.

Product Details

Release Date:	08/11/2020
UPC:	0738329249212
Original Release:	1987
Rating:	PG
Source:	Kl Studio Classics
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[Color]
Language:	English
Time:	2:37:00

Special Features

Audio Commentary by Film Historian Eddy Von Mueller; Theatrical Trailer

Editorial Reviews

Actor and director Richard Attenborough attempted to recreate the phenomenal success of his multiple Oscar-winning Gandhi (1982) with another socially conscious drama, Cry Freedom (1987). The film reunited many behind-the-scenes players from Gandhi, including the same writer, cinematographer, costume designer, and composer. Cry Freedom also mimicked the style and many of the liberal themes of Attenborough's earlier film. Despite these elements, a positive critical reception, and the fact that South African apartheid was an explosive geopolitical issue of the late eighties, Cry Freedom failed to repeat the box office triumph of Gandhi. The filmmakers' decision to make real-life white journalist Don Woods (played in the film by Kevin Kline) the main character, reducing to a supporting role the more historically important figure of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko (played by Denzel Washington), created some controversy and may have kept audiences away. Nevertheless, Washington received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Biko. The actor went on to win in the same category two years later for Glory (1989).