Why Isn't This On Blu-ray Yet?Richard Attenborough’s powerful exploration of Apartheid in South Africa, Cry Freedom (1987) is a disquieting intimate drama set against a backdrop of social upheaval. The film starred Kevin Klein as Donald Wood, chief editor of South Africa’s Daily Dispatch. Liberal-minded and congenial to a fault, Donald cannot conceive the magnitude of prejudice in his part of the world he calls home - that is, until an anonymous source puts him in touch with African anti-Apartheid freedom fighter, Steve Biko (Denzel Washington).
Charismatic and articulate, Biko has organized the Black Consciousness Movement - a peaceful but militant voice speaking out against rhetoric from the oppressive white power structure. As in life, the filmic Biko's activities cause him to become a growing thorn in the side of the South African government who frequently detain and arrest him on false charges.
Although Donald and Steve initially acknowledge one another with considerable skepticism as adversaries, they eventually develop a mutual bond and genuine friendship; one that forces Donald to examine his own loyalties and ultimately go against his friends and the political grain by publishing a series of exposés in his newspaper.
When Biko is apprehended by the local authorities on trumped up charges and later dies in prison from wounds inflicted on him by the secret police, Donald decides to go forward with his very public investigation of Apartheid. The move threatens not only Donald's career but also the health, welfare and safety of his family who must illegally escape South Africa or face similar reprisals.
Cry Freedom is one of those thought provoking/emotionally satisfying human dramas that the 1980s excelled at making but that present day Hollywood either fails to acknowledge will find its audience or quite simply has forgotten how to make with any degree of success.
Shot in Zimbabwe, Kenya and Shepperton Studios in England, the film features a superb screenplay by John Briley (based on several books written by the real Donald Wood) that is purposeful without being preachy. Kevin Kline and Denzel Washington have both stepped out of their comfort zone as actors and the move is as rewarding as it proves a revelation to watch. Arguably, neither has given a finer performance before or since.
Director Richard Attenborough reportedly stocked his extras with real life South African dissidents living in exile. Ronnie Taylor's cinematography provides an ironic beauty to this sombre story. In the end, these airs of authenticity proved decisive to the film’s overall success. Despite positive reviews Cry Freedom fared rather poorly at the box office, eclipsed by the titanic receipts from Fatal Attraction.
Within a year of Cry Freedom's release the scandal that was Apartheid would degenerate into a global embarrassment for the local government, altering the political landscape and serving as a precursor to the release of imprisoned patriot, Nelson Mandela. Viewed today, Cry Freedom serves as a memorable time capsule; a fairly accurate snapshot of that gross social injustice we sincerely hope never to see the likes of again.
WHY ISN'T THIS ON BLU-RAY YET?!?
Universal Home Video’s DVD is, in a word, disappointing. The widescreen image has not been anamorphically enhanced. Colors, while vibrant and bold, suffer from this lack of progressive mastering when formatted on a big screen display. Contrast levels are seem fine. But there is a decided lack of detail throughout and the image is readily digitally harsh in appearance. The audio is mere stereo surround. Adequate but hardly outstanding!
Bottom line: this is a film 'crying out' for remastering and soon! There are NO extras!
FILM RATING (out of 5 - 5 being the best)
4
VIDEO/AUDIO
2
EXTRAS
0
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