Cry Freedom (1987)

Overview

Cry Freedom is a sweeping and deeply moving political drama set against the backdrop of apartheid-era South Africa. Directed by Richard Attenborough and based on the true story of black activist Steve Biko and white liberal journalist Donald Woods, the film blends the intensity of a biographical character study with the urgency of political exposé. Released in 1987, it aimed to shine a light on the brutal system of apartheid and the human cost of oppression and resistance.

Though not without its critics, Cry Freedom remains a powerful introduction to one of the most important liberation movements of the 20th century and to the towering moral figure of Steve Biko.

Plot Summary

The film is essentially divided into two acts. The first half chronicles the growing friendship between Donald Woods (Kevin Kline), editor of the Daily Dispatch, and Steve Biko (Denzel Washington), the charismatic and influential leader of the Black Consciousness Movement. Initially sceptical of Biko's approach, Woods becomes convinced of the justice of Biko’s cause after witnessing first hand the realities of apartheid and the dignity of those resisting it.

The second half of the film shifts tone and focus after Biko is arrested, tortured, and dies in police custody. Woods, outraged and now committed to exposing the truth, undertakes a dangerous mission to escape South Africa with evidence of Biko’s murder and the systemic brutality of apartheid.

Performance Highlights

Denzel Washington (Steve Biko): Washington gives a breakout performance as Biko, exuding intelligence, moral clarity, and quiet defiance. Though he only appears in the first half of the film, his presence permeates the narrative. Washington captures Biko's warmth and charisma as well as his passionate political conviction, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Kevin Kline (Donald Woods): Kline brings depth and humanity to Woods, portraying his political awakening with subtlety. His performance is grounded and earnest, and he carries much of the film's emotional and narrative weight in the second act. The fear and desperation of his flight from South Africa are convincingly rendered.

Supporting Cast: Penelope Wilton as Wendy Woods adds emotional texture to the family storyline, while John Thaw as the cold, bureaucratic Minister Kruger personifies the menace of the apartheid regime with chilling understatement.

Direction and Screenplay

Richard Attenborough, who also directed Gandhi, brings a similar approach to Cry Freedom: respectful, large-scale, and meticulously crafted. His direction favours traditional narrative structure and emotional clarity over stylization or ambiguity. The screenplay by John Briley is faithful to Woods’s accounts, though some critics note that it shifts focus too heavily from Biko to Woods, which complicates the politics of representation.

Still, Attenborough’s strength lies in his ability to tell complex political stories in ways that are accessible to global audiences. Cry Freedom follows that model closely, aiming to educate and inspire as much as it seeks to dramatize.

Themes and Analysis

Apartheid and Racial Injustice: At its core, the film is an unflinching indictment of apartheid. It vividly illustrates the brutal everyday realities of segregation, pass laws, police raids, and state-sanctioned violence against black South Africans.

Moral Awakening and Allyship: Donald Woods’s transformation from sceptic to activist parallels that of many white South Africans (and Westerners) who were initially unaware or unwilling to acknowledge the severity of apartheid. The film explores how privilege can blind people to injustice, but also how witnessing truth can galvanize them.

Censorship and Freedom of the Press: Woods’s role as a journalist underscores the importance of free press in authoritarian societies. His story shows the lengths to which regimes go to suppress dissent—and the courage required to resist that suppression.

Legacy and Martyrdom: Though Biko dies halfway through the film, his legacy becomes the driving force of the narrative. The film honours his memory by turning his death into a call to action—mirroring how Biko became a martyr in the real-world anti-apartheid movement.

Visual and Technical Elements

The cinematography by Ronnie Taylor captures both the starkness of township life and the oppressive atmosphere of apartheid with clarity. The contrast between Biko's vibrant community and the sterile offices of government enforcers is visually striking. George Fenton and Jonas Gwangwa’s score (especially the haunting choral music) complements the film’s emotional arc and cultural setting.

The final montage, listing the real-life names of black South Africans who died in police custody, is one of the most powerful cinematic indictments of institutional violence in modern history. It turns statistics into a wall of human suffering—and it hits hard.

Reception and Legacy

Upon its release, Cry Freedom received critical praise for its performances, especially Washington’s, and its unflinching portrayal of apartheid. It was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor (Washington), Best Original Score, and Best Original Song.

However, some critics and scholars have pointed out that the film’s perspective is overly filtered through a white lens—centring Woods’ story more than Biko’s. This "white saviour" criticism, while valid in parts, doesn't diminish the film’s emotional power or the importance of its political message, but it has shaped the film’s legacy in modern discourse.

In South Africa, the film was initially banned under apartheid. But in the years that followed, it became an important cultural document in the fight to remember and honour Biko’s life.

Final Thoughts

Cry Freedom is an emotionally stirring, politically charged drama that introduced millions to the reality of apartheid and the life of Steve Biko. While its storytelling framework leans heavily on the white ally perspective, the film never loses sight of Biko’s voice and message. It's a story of courage, conviction, and the power of truth in the face of tyranny.

More than three decades later, the film continues to resonate—not just as a historical biopic, but as a warning and inspiration in the face of continuing global struggles for racial justice.

Verdict

A powerful and essential film that brings history to life with humanity, urgency, and unforgettable performances.