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Amazon.co.uk 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
Product Description
This Dvd Is New & Factory Sealed - This Dvd Is Now Becoming Very Collectable.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This is a very powerful film, based on a very powerful book, that will leave you asking the tough questions about governments and racial relationships. Kevin Kline plays Donald Woods, the editor who indergoes a change of opinion and a change of character (from someone who thinks they believe in what's right, to someone who's willing to act on what he knows is right) and Denzel Washington never looks less than dignified as the great activist Steve Biko. The death of Biko, and Woods' escape from South Africa are just two of the images that will stay with you long after watching the movie, and the acting is so superb it is easy to forget that these are two American actors with affected accents. See it. It will do you good.
48 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have never provided reviews for films or CDs or any other service. However for this film, I will make an exception because it's deserving of it. In short, this film made me cry each of the two times I have watched it. This isn't meant to be especially unique even for a guy, but I questioned and in fact feared whether the film would have the same impact on me the second time I watched it and amazingly it did. Thing is, the film simply reaches a climax at the very end that will be very hard for anyone not to be touched by. It's a great story about 1 man's bravery and fight for justice. Clearly we know of another more prominent figure in South Africa who showed all these qualities including great leadership, but Biko had these too. Fantastic performance by Kevin Klein and Denzel Washington. I wish there had been more about the life of Stephen Biko.
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is an excellent and important film about fighting the despicable prejudice of the apartheid regime in South Africa. At the time it was made there was a little bit of criticism that Attenborough had chosen to focus on the white character, Donald Woods, rather than the black character Steve Biko. This was missplaced. His film is about the need for liberal-minded people to ask themselves whether they are doing enough to combat tyranny. It traces the personal journey of Woods from the position of priviliged liberal to a more advanced and outspoken oppositon to the South African government. Besides, it would be untrue to claim that the black characters are not fully developed here. We get a clear sense of where Biko is coming from and why his struggle was so important. Obviously the film is a militant film, but what's wrong with that, when what you're militating against is something so blatantly unjust as apartheid? The film is well-made, well-written and a moving experience. You also get a glimpse of the physical beauty of that part of the world, even though the film was actually shot in Zimbabwe.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great film, disappointing picture
Basically, this is a great film, very underrated. However, viewing pleasure is somewhat spoiled by the letter box format. Read more
Published 11 days ago by David542
Powerful film.
I first saw this film when I was about 15 at the cinema. I watched it again recently and once again it moved me to tears. It's an amazing film. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Lhlhht
Freedom is worth pursuing
Denzel Washington and Kevin Kline are two actors I will watch without knowing too much about the film beforehand. Read more
Published 5 months ago by RR Waller
great!
The item arrived exactly on time and it was in perfect condition, exactly as it said on the tin. marvellous! terrific. super. fantastic. brilliant. wonderful.
Published 8 months ago by charlie
Cry Freedom
I thought cry freedom was a very moving and amazing film, and Steve Biko was an amazing man.
Sad that people can treat other humans so cruelly.
Sad that people can treat other humans so cruelly.
Published 9 months ago by Alan
Like Attenborough's "Gandhi" a very good political film that could...
In some ways it's a weaker film than "Gandhi" - a lot of the tension
feels manufactured, even though the story is true. Read more
feels manufactured, even though the story is true. Read more
Published 11 months ago by K. Gordon
Thought provoking
This is an excellent movie. It accurately depicts the events at that time and tells a story that was censored at the time. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Janneke
Cry Freedom
Saw this at the cinema when it first came out. I enjoyed it nearly as much second time around.
Published 13 months ago by Ursula Osborne
Not the picture I was hoping for
Cry Freedom has lost none of its power but this copy of the film was very disappointing. The picture was very small (and could not be enlarged) looking more like it was created... Read more
Published 14 months ago by J. Mooney
Opens your eyes
This product was presented well, arrived in good time and was all I had hoped it would be. If only more people would watch movies like this one, and learn more about the struggles... Read more
Published 20 months ago by D. BOND
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