
Cry Freedom
Plot
A dramatic story, based on actual events, about the friendship between two men struggling against apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s. Donald Woods is a white liberal journalist in South Africa who begins to follow the activities of Stephen Biko, a courageous and outspoken black anti-apartheid activist.
About Cry Freedom
Cry Freedom is a 1987 epic biographical drama film directed and produced by Richard Attenborough, set in apartheid-era South Africa in 1977. The screenplay was written by John Briley based on a pair of books by journalist Donald Woods. The film centres on the real-life events involving South African activist Steve Biko and his friend Woods, who initially finds him too radical and attempts to understand his way of life. Denzel Washington stars as Biko, while Kevin Kline portrays Woods. Penelope Wilton co-stars as Woods's wife Wendy. Cry Freedom delves into the ideas of racism, segregation, disenfranchisement, socioeconomic inequality, political corruption, and the repercussions of violence. A joint collective effort to commit to the film's production was made by Universal Pictures and Marble Arch Productions, and the film was primarily shot on location in Zimbabwe due to not being allowed to film in South Africa at the time of production. It was commercially distributed by Universal Pictures, opening in the United States on 6 November 1987. South African authorities unexpectedly allowed the film to be screened in cinemas without cuts or restrictions, despite the publication of Biko's writings being banned at the time of its release. The film was generally met with favourable reviews and earned theatrical rentals of $15 million worldwide. The film was nominated for multiple…
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Cast
Kevin KlineDonald Woods
Denzel WashingtonSteve Biko
Penelope WiltonWendy Woods
Kate HardieJane Woods
John MatshikizaMapetla
Zakes MokaeFather Kani
John ThawKruger
Kevin McNallyKen
Movies and shows like Cry Freedom
- Chaplin1992 · FilmSame director: Richard Attenborough

- A Bridge Too Far1977 · FilmSame director: Richard Attenborough

- Gandhi1982 · FilmSame director: Richard Attenborough

- Malcolm X1992 · FilmBoth drama, biographical

- Tsotsi2005 · FilmBoth drama

- Boys Don't Cry1999 · FilmBoth drama, biographical

- District 92009 · FilmSimilar story

- Black Burns Fast2025 · FilmSimilar story

- The Gods Must Be Crazy1980 · FilmSimilar story

- Glory1989 · FilmBoth drama

- Invictus2009 · FilmSimilar story

- The Polygamist2026 · SeriesSimilar story








