Kevin James Movie:

Editorial Review:
Sir Richard Attenborough (Gandhi) directs this semi-successful drama about the relationship between South African black activist Steven Biko and a sympathetic newspaper editor (Kevin Kline). Attenborough's typical sweep of the life and times of Biko is particularly rewarding in the first half of the film, but once the leader comes to his untimely end at the hands of white police, the story shifts entirely to Kline's character and the latter's efforts to escape the country with his family. That change is a tactical error in the script that robs the film of its initial power and makes the arguably unfortunate choice of emphasizing the destiny of a white character when Biko himself deserved an entire feature for his story and causes. --Tom Keogh

Cry Freedom [Region 2] Reviews:
Honest and Powerful.
2008-11-27 - This is a difficult show to watch, but one that compels you to stay with it until the end. We are studying African history currently in one of our competitive academic teams, and this one left all of us, my students included, speechless. This is a must watch, but be prepared to have some silent reflection time afterwards.

Denzel IS Stephen Biko!
2008-07-29 - When I was a high school English teacher and read and discussed "Cry, the Beloved Country" with my seniors, I always showed "Cry Freedom" in conjunction. Students were mesmerized. While the novel was set in South Africa with apartheid partly responsible for the crime that takes place, apartheid is as much a major character as Stephen Biko or Donald Woods in the movie.

In case you are confused, "Cry, the Beloved Country" is the lyrical novel by Alan Paton, published in 1948 and set in South Africa, Paton's homeland. Three racial groups, lived together, not in harmony, there: the Dutch, who later called themselves Afrikaaners, who settled there three hundred years earlier and believed they sere sent by God to take control; the English who settled everywhere; and the native groups, of which Bantu was one. This novel is a moving testament to the forgiving nature of men and how two men from totally different worlds can come together in grace and acceptance.

In "Cry Freedom," the film based on the nonfiction book by the same name, is a story of Stephen Biko, a black South African political activist who understood the inherent dangers in being an activist but lived by the creed that a man has to do what a man has to do. He is befriended in respect and admiration by a white American journalist, Donald Woods. Their two stories are equally important because of the consequences of their actions.

Denzel Washinton performs the role of Biko as if he was Biko--I was that convinced. His South African accent is perfect. I personally believe this is the best acting role of his distinguished career. Kevin Kline is also excellent and performs one of my favorite roles he has ever played.

Biko brashly challenges the Afrikanner government and is banned from ever speaking again. He does so, is arrested and tortured into a coma and dies of a brain hemorrhage as he is transported 600 miles away to a hospital. Obviously, the government wanted him dead.

The rest of the film details Woods and his family's departure from South Africa, knowing he may be next because of his support of Biko. His escape is important in the Biko story because it is Woods who brings it to print and thus to film. Without Woods we probably would not know the Biko story of courage and dedication to cry for freedom for his people.

This is a must-see film. One that mesmerizes 17-year-olds and makes them angry, white and black, at injustice is not a film to miss. Plus the information interspersed during the credits will make you gasp at the sheer audacity and cruelty of man.

incredible
2008-02-01 - I am sad to say that I disappointed myself by only watching half of this movie. I had to watch it in my World Lit class and of course, being a senior, I had the attitude that I didn't want to watch something that was filmed before i was even born, plus I wanted to sleep :P, after watching it for three days with more than an hour left of the movie, I decided to pay attention. The last half was so good! I felt so bad that I missed the whole first half, because I was left somewhat confused as to who the characters were. I've heard that the beginning of the movie is far better than the second, so if I was actually interested in the last half, Im sure I would have loved the first. I read someone's review where they said something about it not being a movie you'd grab at the movie store based on the cover, or something about it not being interesting looking, which I completely agree with, but it truely is. Denzel did an awesome job. Now my only problem is that I have to B.S. a paper summarizing the movie [:

Cry Freedom
2008-01-27 - I enjoy the story of Stephen Biko very much. I loved the movie about how his story got out.

High School Seniors' Comments
2007-12-11 - J.E. Gotowos (teacher of EFL, German, and drama):
I recently had the students of an English major senior high school class, that I am teaching, in Hamburg, Germany, watch Richard Attenborough's movie "Cry Freedom." Here are their first responses and reviews, which I asked them to come up with:

FIREWORK OF EMOTION
The movie is totally rousing and not boring for a minute, though we had a lot of backround-information about the cruel situation in South Africa.
We were emotionally touched by all the scenes.
The actors did a great job by putting the idea across and relievingly the character of Steven Biko brought up some laughs as well.
C.W. & S.A.-M. -----

STEVE BIKO'S SPIRIT, CAUGHT IN DENZEL WASHINGTON'S PRECISE ARTISTRY
Initially, there is to say that "Cry Freedom" changed our view on white people's participation in the general struggle against apartheid, but especially in the Biko issue of 1977. Though the white man's fate definitely drives out Biko's part in the story, we were nevertheless able to emphasize with the protagonists and their decision making processes maybe for a little too long (the film takes three hours and leaves you pretty unsettled and sad, if that's for good or bad...).
Above all, we adoringly look up to an exceptionally handsome and skilled Denzel Washington, who succeeded in posting a true story of hope, power and cruelty to the outside world. With this intention, "Cry Freedom" combines expressive pictures with beautiful music, opens your eyes for a true story and catches you for three hours with its sad and ongoing demand for equality .
Written by TILLI -----

REVIEW - CRY FREEDOM
The movie "Cry Freedom" is not only a biography of Steven Biko, the Freedom Fighter, but also about a whole nation struggle against Apartheid.
Before watching the movie we made sure we had enough backround information about Apartheid and Steven Biko. However, while watching the movie we were surprised how much more we were touched by it then we had been before by just reading it. The actors also did a great job in making the movie seem authentic. All in all, the movie made us conscious about how extreme the Apartheid regime was.
Heidi&Melanie

OUTSTANDING MOVIE, BUT A LITTLE TOO LONG
Producing an historic movie based on a true story is always challenging and very dangerous particulary when there are still people alive that experienced it. Meeting the audience's expectations is difficult in such a case; However, the movie Cry Freedom, based on Donald Woods book BIKO by Richard Attenborough, is a splendid historical movie. Firstly the performance is more than superb from both main and supporting actors. Furthermore the music aptly underlines the movie's emotional range from dramatic to inspiring. Moreover the the development of Wood's and Biko's friendship is very touching, going hand in hand with Wood's transition from a liberal to an activist, which is incredibly captivating as well.
The movie is probably even more strinking to someone without backround knowlege on the aparteid policies and crimes since Biko's death portraits latter vividly.
The length of the movie is the only thing to find fault with. We believe the movie could be more compressed because the movie lacks density in the end to the point that strength fades.
Although overall it is truly an outsanding movie!
Andre & Sina -----

SAD BUT TRUE
The movie really touched me. I know what was going on in the apartheid area before. I watched the movie, but it's different, if you see it through the characters eyes. You can identify yourself better with the person's life.
M.S. -----

After I watched that movie, I was shocked. It's different to know the history about South Africa then have it put in front of yourself. Steven Biko who was played by Denzel Washington did a excellent job. Also the interacting story between Biko and Woods was great. The film board put up a very good impression this time. Also,
the music was great, but the film was a little long.
J.M-B. -----

"CRY FREEDOM" MADE YOU THINK...
The film "Cry freedom" by Richard Attenborough was a success because the two main characters were played amazingly authentic.
Obviously Attenborough made a lot of researches for this reason the audience got an realistic impression of the circumstances during apartheid in South Africa. Moreover the life of Steven Biko was well presented and the audience got to know his strong, nonviolent pursuit of changing the Blacks consciousness.
In order to make the audience think about the subject, Attenborough showed the violence towards the Blacks in a way that you would almost want to look away or had to fight back your tears.
I.D. und L.K. -----

A MAGNIFICENT AND TOUCHING MOVIE
At the beginning of the movie I didn't know what to expect, but I was positive surprised. The movie made me very thoughtful and I got a really good impression, how it must of been during Apartheid. In my opinion Biko's live was very touching and frightening. I'm sure that he wasn't the only victim, who suffered that much from Apartheid.
Leonie -----