Denzel Washington Cry Freedom Overview and Cast
Denzel Washington Cry Freedom is a 1987 biographical drama where Washington stars as Steve Biko, the South African anti-apartheid activist. The film, directed by Richard Attenborough, adapts John Briley's screenplay from Donald Woods' book Asking for Trouble. The cast includes Kevin Kline as journalist Donald Woods and Kevin Tolan as a key supporting role. The movie was produced by Universal Pictures and released in the United States in November 1987. It received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. For current streaming availability and cast details, you can check the official Universal Pictures page for the film.
The film's production involved location shooting in Zimbabwe and South Africa during a period of heightened political tension. Denzel Washington's portrayal earned him a nomination for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture. The movie's runtime is approximately 157 minutes, and it is rated PG-13 for thematic elements involving apartheid violence and political oppression. The film's score was composed by George Fenton, with cinematography by Ronnie Taylor. The production budget was reported at around $20 million, and it grossed over $34 million in North American theaters, according to box office data from Box Office Mojo.
Plot Summary and Historical Context
The story follows Donald Woods, a white journalist who befriends Steve Biko, the founder of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa. After Biko's death in police custody, Woods defies a government banning order to expose the truth about apartheid security forces. The film highlights the role of the South African apartheid government and its security apparatus, including the Security Branch of the South African Police. The narrative is based on real events from the late 1970s, specifically Biko's arrest and death in September 1977. The film includes depictions of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's precursor investigations into apartheid-era abuses.
Key plot points include Woods' escape from South Africa and his efforts to publish Biko's story internationally. The film portrays the collaboration between anti-apartheid activists and foreign journalists. It also shows the response of the British government and the role of the International Defence and Aid Fund. The movie's climax centers on the inquest into Biko's death and the subsequent legal and political fallout. The film's historical accuracy has been reviewed by institutions such as the Nelson Mandela Foundation for its depiction of the anti-apartheid struggle.
Critical Reception and Legacy
Denzel Washington Cry Freedom received a 79% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes based on aggregated reviews from major publications. Roger Ebert gave the film three out of four stars, praising its political urgency and performances. The film holds a Metacritic score of 63, indicating generally favorable reviews. It was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress's National Film Registry in 2023, recognizing its cultural and historical significance. The film's themes of press freedom and human rights continue to be cited in media studies courses.
The movie's legacy includes its influence on subsequent films about social justice movements and its role in raising global awareness of apartheid. Denzel Washington's performance is frequently cited in retrospectives of his career, alongside films like Training Day and Malcolm X. The film's soundtrack and score have been reissued in digital formats by Decca Records. Educational resources about the film are available through the