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Goodbye Bafana

Play trailer Poster for Goodbye Bafana R Released Dec 14, 2007 1h 58m Biography History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
44% Tomatometer 18 Reviews 55% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
In the late 1960s, the white South African government imprisons many black militant leaders, including Nelson Mandela (Dennis Haysbert), in a maximum-security prison in Cape Town. White guard James Gregory (Joseph Fiennes) is placed in charge of Mandela's ward because he can speak the Xhosa language and monitor the prisoners' communications. Over the course of Mandela's long imprisonment, his quiet leadership causes Gregory to rethink his previous racist views.

Critics Reviews

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John Hartl Seattle Times Director August once had a knack for telling stories of adolescent bonds, and he makes good use of one childhood flashback and a scene in which Bafana and Mandela blend into one person. For a moment, he achieves a balance the rest of the film lacks. Rated: 1.5/4 Dec 14, 2007 Full Review Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard Sincere as it patently is, and perfectly competently made, Goodbye Bafana progresses through the last years of the apartheid regime at a snail's pace. Rated: 2/5 May 11, 2007 Full Review Independent (UK) The script is lumpen and prosaic, the performances so-so, and the passage of the years deeply unconvincing. Rated: 2/5 May 11, 2007 Full Review Bill White Seattle Post-Intelligencer The film is most interesting when showing the ignorance of the Afrikaners. The film falters when trying to address the complexities of the political issues. Rated: B- Dec 13, 2007 Full Review Andrew Wright The Stranger (Seattle, WA) Another well-meaning, dopily prosaic movie of the sort that often gets a mercy nomination thrown its way ... Does a severe disservice to a truly great history. Dec 12, 2007 Full Review Matthew Turner ViewLondon n engaging, inspirational and ultimately uplifting drama with superb performances from its two leads. Rated: 4/5 Jun 9, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Great movie Great acting Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/27/20 Full Review Mary M One of the most powerful movies ever. Loved every minute. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/13/18 Full Review Kevin R Welcome to hell you heathen bastards A guard is promoted to a prison facility. He is instantly assigned a position of guarding the most infamous inmate in the cell, Nelson Mandela. His career gets on the fast track to numerous promotions during his twenty year run in the position, but his relationship with Mandela put the officer and his family at risk. "One letter every six months and no more than 600 words." Bille August, director of The House of the Spirits, Pelle the Conqueror, Les Miserables (1998), Zappa, Buster's World, and A Song for Martin, delivers The Color of Freedom. The storyline for this picture is very interesting because of the characters involved and the behind the scenes relationships are well portrayed. The acting is pretty good and includes Joseph Fiennes, Dennis Haysbert, Diane Kruger, Patrick Lyster, and Terry Pheto. "You can't keep a secret." I randomly came across this when Fios recommended it to me so I DVR'd it. This was interesting and I did enjoy the characters; however, I think they could have selected a better Mandela actor. Overall this is worth seeing once but far from a classic. "I would rather remain here, on this island." Grade: C+/B- Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/23/16 Full Review John H I thought this was an excellent movie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/05/12 Full Review Greg W well acted sorta bio-pic/period piece Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/23/12 Full Review Danielle F I completely disagree with Rotten Tomatoes on this one....I really enjoyed this movie. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/16/12 Full Review Read all reviews
Goodbye Bafana

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Cast & Crew

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Bille August

Director

Joseph Fiennes

James Gregory

Dennis Haysbert

Nelson Mandela

Diane Kruger

Gloria Gregory

Faith Ndukwana

Winnie Mandela

Terry Pheto

Zindzi Mandela

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Goodbye Bafana

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Movie Info

Synopsis In the late 1960s, the white South African government imprisons many black militant leaders, including Nelson Mandela (Dennis Haysbert), in a maximum-security prison in Cape Town. White guard James Gregory (Joseph Fiennes) is placed in charge of Mandela's ward because he can speak the Xhosa language and monitor the prisoners' communications. Over the course of Mandela's long imprisonment, his quiet leadership causes Gregory to rethink his previous racist views.
Director
Bille August
Screenwriter
Greg Latter, Bille August
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Film Afrika, X-Filme Creative Pool, Thema Production
Rating
R (Some Sexual References|Language)
Genre
Biography, History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 14, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 31, 2016
Runtime
1h 58m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital