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Cry, the Beloved Country

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Cry, the Beloved Country

PG-13

Released Dec 15, 1995

1h 51m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

13 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Reverend Stephen Kumalo (James Earl Jones) is a back-country Zulu preacher in South Africa. When his son (Eric Miyeni) is accused of robbery and murder, Kumalo journeys to Johannesburg, where he is helped by a local priest (Vusi Kunene). He eventually meets James Jarvis (Richard Harris), the father of the murder victim, who is a prominent white supremacist. However, they discover common ground, and their mutual respect becomes a symbol of apartheid's eventual demise.

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Susan Stark

Detroit News

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

We go expecting to be inspired and uplifted, and we leave somewhat satisfied in those areas, but with reluctant questions about how well the story has aged, and how relevant it is today.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Tom Green

USA Today

Especially heart-rending thanks to superb performances by James Earl Jones and Richard Harris.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: B

Jun 19, 2005

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Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Rated: 2/5

Apr 28, 2005

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Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

A beautiful piece of work.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 7, 2004

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Avalon T

Excellent movie. Great acting and a captivating story. Have some tissues handy. A great movie!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/03/25

Full Review

i already d

One of the most aching, beautiful film adaptations. jones and harris both give performances of their lives in this picture. i have wished for a new transfer print to blu-ray for many years and hope it will come one day. the score from barry rivals and surpasses his more popular works. it is a film that is beautiful beyond any singing of it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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s r

Good, but not quite great.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A tremendously moving story about forgiveness and reconciliation of two fathers who lost their sons in the apartheid-stricken Johannesburg.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

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Audience Member

Outstanding! So much more engaging than the book. A wonderful job!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

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Audience Member

Somewhat shallow and sentimental. But I managed to kill one hour and 51 minutes. South Africa is indeed a beautiful country, but I wasn't crying.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Darrell James Roodt

Director

James Earl Jones

Rev Stephen Kumalo

Richard Harris

James Jarvis

Vusi Kunene

Theophilus Msimangu

Leleti Khumalo

Katie

Charles S. Dutton

John Kumalo

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Synopsis

Reverend Stephen Kumalo (James Earl Jones) is a back-country Zulu preacher in South Africa. When his son (Eric Miyeni) is accused of robbery and murder, Kumalo journeys to Johannesburg, where he is helped by a local priest (Vusi Kunene). He eventually meets James Jarvis (Richard Harris), the father of the murder victim, who is a prominent white supremacist. However, they discover common ground, and their mutual respect becomes a symbol of apartheid's eventual demise.

Director: Darrell James Roodt
Producer: Anant Singh, Harry Alan Towers
Screenwriter: Ronald Harwood, Alan Paton, Joshua Sinclair
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax Films
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 15, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 21, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $337.2K
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Surround

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