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Cry, the Beloved Country

Play trailer Poster for Cry, the Beloved Country PG-13 Released Dec 15, 1995 1h 51m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 73% 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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Cry, the Beloved Country

Critics Reviews

View All (13) Critics Reviews
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 Full Review Tom Green USA Today Especially heart-rending thanks to superb performances by James Earl Jones and Richard Harris. Rated: 3/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: B Jun 19, 2005 Full Review Philip Martin Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Rated: 2/5 Apr 28, 2005 Full Review Michael Dequina TheMovieReport.com A beautiful piece of work. Rated: 3.5/4 Aug 7, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review Audience Member Outstanding! So much more engaging than the book. A wonderful job! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review 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 Full Review Audience Member good remake but i prefer the 1951 version of this tale best. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Cry, the Beloved Country

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

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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