Red Dust

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Red Dust

R

2004

1h 50m

Drama

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4 Reviews

73%

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1,000+ Ratings

In the aftermath of apartheid, South Africa was saved from civil war by an extraordinary experiment in justice. Those who had done violence in the government's name were to be left unpunished if they confronted their victims and confessed their crimes. Rising politician Alex Mpondo must relive his torture and imprisonment at the hands of the police and lawyer Sarah Barcant must help him uncover the truth.

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Urban Cinefile Critics

Urban Cinefile

The subject matter is as divisive as racism, as provocative as the elusiveness of justice and as complex as human beings can be.

Nov 11, 2005

Full Review

Marta Barber

Miami Herald

Though Hooper falters on the side of manipulation, the story remains engrossing.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 4, 2005

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...never quite becomes as compelling or intriguing as we get the impression it's supposed to be.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 11, 2004

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Mark R. Leeper

rec.arts.movies.reviews

Taking the form of a courtroom drama this film looks at the atrocities of the South African apartheid government and at the possibility of reconciliation.

Rated: 8/10

Dec 8, 2004

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kevin w

Films with an intended message rarely rise to the level of their intent, but when they do - they resonate. Submitted for your approval then is this quiet little consideration on the impossible necessity of forgiveness, particularly impossible when the guilty wallow gleefully, even shamelessly in their guilt. No cute meme with some facile commentary about being the bigger or better person can assuage the thirst for righteous vengeance, and this work handily puts this very grownup equation before the viewer. Must see by my reckoning, with excellent delivery by all the principals.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

third remake of this tale & the only one not starring Clark Gable.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Ejiofor really upstages Hilary Swank here, turning in a really outstanding performance as Alex. The drama is deep and compelling, the characters are well developed and the story is presented in a very impressive way.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

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Audience Member

The best film about apartheid in South Africa. Shows the nuances of the truth and reconciliation commission after the fall of the apartheid regime and how it both produces genuine good result while on the same allowing crimes against humanity to go unpunished and the criminals to go free.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

a different dirrector and it might have been more.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Audience Member

This movie tackles a very difficult subject matter with a degree of compassion--Compassion that more whites should have demonstrated in this sad true tale about injustice, and brutality. It's a film about forgiving, even when vengeance is justified. Really well done...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Tom Hooper

Director

Hilary Swank

Sarah Barcant

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Alex Mpondo

Jamie Bartlett

Dirk Henricks

Marius Weyers

Ben Hoffman

Ian Roberts

Piet Muller

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Synopsis

In the aftermath of apartheid, South Africa was saved from civil war by an extraordinary experiment in justice. Those who had done violence in the government's name were to be left unpunished if they confronted their victims and confessed their crimes. Rising politician Alex Mpondo must relive his torture and imprisonment at the hands of the police and lawyer Sarah Barcant must help him uncover the truth.

Director: Tom Hooper
Producer: Anant Singh, Helena Spring, Ruth Caleb, David Thompson, David M. Thompson
Screenwriter: Troy Kennedy Martin
Rating: R (Language|Violent Images)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2020
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Surround

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