Cry Freedom (1987): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Cry Freedom is a 1987 biographical drama directed by Richard Attenborough, starring Denzel Washington, Kevin Kline and Kevin McNally. It runs 2 hours 37 minutes and earned $5.9 million worldwide. It won 1 award from 14 nominations, among them 3 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 73% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 37m (157 min)
- Director
- Richard Attenborough
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Universal Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Cry Freedom About?
The premise of Cry Freedom without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
During the turbulent era of apartheid in South Africa, journalist Donald Woods develops a close relationship with the charismatic activist Steve Biko. Following Biko's death in police custody, Woods becomes increasingly outspoken and is placed under house arrest. Faced with escalating persecution and fearing for his family's safety, he makes the difficult decision to flee the country, determined to expose the truth about the systemic injustice and fight for freedom and equality.
Cry Freedom Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- south africa
- social injustice
- racism
- apartheid
- white savior
- reference to soweto uprising
- death of a friend
- racial slur
- activist
- journalist
- race relations
- interracial friendship
+38 more Show fewer
- human rights
- civil rights
- 1970s
- based on true story
- based on book
- reference to nelson mandela
- africa
- man wears eyeglasses
- year 1975
- year 1977
- newspaper editor
- freedom fighter
- political activist
- south african security police
- security police
- black male white male relationship
- funeral
- speech
- public funeral
- intimidation
- fake passport
- crossing the border
- lesotho
- disguised as a priest
- under surveillance
- police surveillance
- car
- german car
- bmw
- bmw motor vehicle
- bmw car
- mercedes benz
- mercedes benz motor vehicle
- british car
- jaguar motor vehicle
- jaguar the car
- social commentary
- skin color
Cry Freedom Cast
Denzel Washington leads the cast, with Kevin Kline and Kevin McNally. Directed by Richard Attenborough; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Richard Attenborough
Also Starring in Cry Freedom
· 6 moreMore from Richard Attenborough
More films directed by Richard Attenborough, best-rated first: Gandhi, A Bridge Too Far, Magic and A Chorus Line.
Cry Freedom Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Cry Freedom 73% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 73% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 87%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 59 Metascore
User score 6.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 70% User score
See on TMDB
Cry Freedom Plot Summary
What happens in Cry Freedom from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Following an eye-opening exposé revealing the drastic destruction of a notorious slum in East London, South Africa, liberal journalist Donald Woods becomes fascinated by the challenges faced by anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko. Biko stands as a pivotal figure in the Black Consciousness Movement, and despite their initial ideological differences—Woods strongly opposing Biko’s banning and questioning his political beliefs—he cannot help but be captivated by Biko’s steadfast dedication to nonviolent resistance. Through insightful conversations, Biko invites Woods on an enlightening tour of impoverished black townships, where the harsh realities of government oppression and apartheid’s suffocating presence starkly unfold before them. Witnessing the dire conditions firsthand, Woods starts to understand and share Biko’s vision of a South Africa where every individual, irrespective of race, can enjoy equal rights and opportunities.
Full summary
The whole story of Cry Freedom, scene by scene
Cry Freedom Box Office
Cry Freedom grossed $5.9 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$5.9M
- US & Canada
- $5.9M
Cry Freedom Awards & Nominations
Cry Freedom won 1 award from 14 nominations, among them 3 Oscar nominations. Its biggest night was the BAFTA 1988, with 1 win from 7 nominations.
1 win14 nominations3 ceremonies
-
BAFTA 1988 1 win · 7 nominations- Won Best Sound
- Nominated Best Actor in a Supporting Role
- Nominated Best Cinematography
- Nominated Best Direction – Richard Attenborough
- Nominated Best Editing
-
Golden Globes 1988 4 nominations- Nominated Best Director – Richard Attenborough
- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Drama
- Nominated Best Original Score
- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actor) – Denzel Washington
-
Oscars 1988 3 nominations- Nominated Actor in a Supporting Role – Denzel Washington
- Nominated Music (Original Score)
- Nominated Music (Original Song)
Cry Freedom Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 clips.
- Clip Cry Freedom | "Why Do You Call Yourselves White?"
- Clip Cry Freedom | Steve Biko's Funeral
How Well Do You Know Cry Freedom?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the main character that becomes intrigued by Steve Biko's activism?
Cars in Cry Freedom
48 cars on screen, including the 1969 BMW 2800 E3 and the 1967 Jaguar 420 XJ16.
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1969 BMW 2800 E3 Important role -
1967 Jaguar 420 XJ16 Important role -
1972 Mercedes-Benz 220 W115 Important role -
AVM-DAF Minor role
Cry Freedom Also Known As
32 alternative titles, including “Grido di libertà” and “Grita Libertad [Cry Freedom]”.
- Also known as
-
- Grido di libertà
- Grita Libertad [Cry Freedom]
- Le Cri de la Liberté
- Вик за свобода
- Grito de libertad
- Um Grito de Liberdade
- Schrei nach Freiheit
- Et råb om frihed
- Huuto vapaudelle
- Kravgi eleftherias
- Kiálts szabadságért
- Et rop om frihet
+20 more Show fewer
- Krzyk o wolnosc
- Grita Liberdade
- Vapaj za slobodom
- Ett rop på frihet
- Клич свободы
- Özgürlük çigligi
- Клич свободи
- 遠い夜明け：1987
- Cry Freedom - Le cri de la liberté
- Grita libertad
- Изстрадана свобода
- Özgürlük Çığlığı
- Krzyk wolności
- 哭喊自由
- 遠い夜明け
- Crida llibertat
- Κραυγή Ελευθερίας
- 자유의 절규, თავისუფლების ძახილი
- Volání svobody
- ฝันสู่อิสรภาพ
Seen Cry Freedom?
Movies Like Cry Freedom
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Cry, the Beloved Country and Goodbye Bafana.
-
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom 2013 -
Cry, the Beloved Country 1995 -
Goodbye Bafana 2007 -
Escape from Pretoria 2020 -
Cry, the Beloved Country 1951 -
Catch a Fire 2006 -
Mandela 1987 -
A Dry White Season 1989 -
Long Night's Journey Into Day 2001 -
An Act of Defiance 2017 -
Mandela and de Klerk 1997 -
Winnie Mandela 2013
Cry Freedom FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Cry Freedom, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Cry Freedom?
Cry Freedom runs 2 hours 37 minutes (157 minutes).
When was Cry Freedom released?
Cry Freedom was released on November 6, 1987.
Who directed Cry Freedom?
Cry Freedom was directed by Richard Attenborough.
More films by Richard Attenborough Who is in the cast of Cry Freedom?
Cry Freedom stars Denzel Washington, Kevin Kline and Kevin McNally, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Cry Freedom make at the box office?
Cry Freedom grossed $5.9 million worldwide.
How is Cry Freedom rated?
Cry Freedom has 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, 59 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.
What awards did Cry Freedom win?
Cry Freedom won 1 award from 14 nominations, including Best Sound at the BAFTA 1988.
Does Cry Freedom have a post-credit scene?
No. Cry Freedom has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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