Rating: 
Summary: A Moving, Powerful Film
Review: (my favorite film in my short lifetime among many good ones)
Cry, The Beloved Country is a triumph of redemption and hope in the face of terrible tragedy. How two men (wonderfully portrayed by screen legends James Earl Jones and Richard Harris) transcend their roles in life and move beyond the faultlines of race and vengeance is a story no one should miss. The country is beautiful, the characters are compelling and the story an invaluable contribution to anyone's understanding of South Africa's troubled past.
Rating:
Summary: Film shows power of faith and forgiveness
Review: Few films deliver a message as powerful as this one. Without being preachy melodramatic, it clearly shows how racism and apartied hurts everybody, black or white. Mostly, though, it shows the importance of faith and forgiveness in times of trouble.
Rating:
Summary: The greatest novel-to-film translation ever. . .
Review: I am 22. I love action movies, I love well executed sci-fi thrillers . . . so why on earth would I rate this as my favorite film of all time? . . . . . .Because one gets to a point in one's life when movies or any art for that matter, isn't about how much one is shocked, or how "entertained" one becomes . . . watching movies becomes like a mature appreciation of alcohol: one drinks and appreciates until satisfaction; not to become inebriated.
This film is the single most satisfying piece of visual art (besides the Brothers Karamazov, if that is visual art) I have ever experienced in my life. In metaphor to the prodigal son, the film deals with not only racial reconciliation, but much more importantly the deepest behavioral issues and ethos of agape: intense love for a family member. This is the single most redemptive film I have ever seen. The performances are riveting and non-cliched, and the cinematography is fascinatingly spectacular. Richard Harris delivers a breathtakingly believable portrayal of a rich white racist (of sorts) whose acting is really put to the test in incredible subtle and emotionally charged interplays between the novels colorful characters.
James Earl Jones' presence is nothing short of phenomenal. His performance is so captivating that tt seems that he might actually have been through a similar occurance in his own life. Of all the incredible movies that have been made, this is my favorite film. Please, do rent it. There are also some helpful reviews on the movies pace below my review as well.
Rating:
Summary: The greatest novel-to-film translation ever. . .
Review: I am 22. I love action movies, I love well executed sci-fi thrillers . . . so why on earth would I rate this as my favorite film of all time? . . . . . .Because one gets to a point in one's life when movies or any art for that matter, isn't about how much one is shocked, or how "entertained" one becomes . . . watching movies becomes like a mature appreciation of alcohol: one drinks and appreciates until satisfaction; not to become inebriated.
This film is the single most satisfying piece of visual art (besides the Brothers Karamazov, if that is visual art) I have ever experienced in my life. In metaphor to the prodigal son, the film deals with not only racial reconciliation, but much more importantly the deepest behavioral issues and ethos of agape: intense love for a family member. This is the single most redemptive film I have ever seen. The performances are riveting and non-cliched, and the cinematography is fascinatingly spectacular. Richard Harris delivers a breathtakingly believable portrayal of a rich white racist (of sorts) whose acting is really put to the test in incredible subtle and emotionally charged interplays between the novels colorful characters.
James Earl Jones' presence is nothing short of phenomenal. His performance is so captivating that tt seems that he might actually have been through a similar occurance in his own life. Of all the incredible movies that have been made, this is my favorite film. Please, do rent it. There are also some helpful reviews on the movies pace below my review as well.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Movie
Review: I am in the process of reading the book on which this movie is based. Usually, reading the book leads you to say, "The book is so much better." Not so with this movie. Yes, the book is fantastic. But reading it has increased my appreciation for the movie even more. Particularly the acting by Jones and Harrison. It is impressive how much emotion and meaning they convey without the aid of a narrator or augmented dialogue.
Rating:
Summary: If you liked the book...
Review: I am in the process of reading the book on which this movie is based. Usually, reading the book leads you to say, "The book is so much better." Not so with this movie. Yes, the book is fantastic. But reading it has increased my appreciation for the movie even more. Particularly the acting by Jones and Harrison. It is impressive how much emotion and meaning they convey without the aid of a narrator or augmented dialogue.
Rating:
Summary: If you liked the book...
Review: I am in the process of reading the book on which this movie is based. Usually, reading the book leads you to say, "The book is so much better." Not so with this movie. Yes, the book is fantastic. But reading it has increased my appreciation for the movie even more. Particularly the acting by Jones and Harrison. It is impressive how much emotion and meaning they convey without the aid of a narrator or augmented dialogue.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent movie but neglects vital concepts from book
Review: I enjoyed the movie a lot. It even made me cry (and I rarely cry). But, I was dissapointed in the way it was written for the screen. The movie left out much of Book 3 as well as what I thought was one of the most important concepts from the book: repentance. Absalom's repentance was never portrayed. The fact that he prayed to God for forgiveness is vital. Had I not already read the book, I would have not had the same emotional reactions. It is absolutely terrific, but it does not quite do justice to Patton's Pre-Aparthied novel.
Rating:
Summary: Patience for this movie pays off in the end
Review: I remember seeing the trailers for "Cry, The Beloved Country," in the theater before it came out, later I realized I missed my chance to see it on the big screen when I saw it in the video store. I can only imagine the impact this movie would have on me if I had seen it on the big screen. In the opening scenes the audience is treated to absolutely breath-taking images of the hills of South Africa, it is there that you are introduced to the story's protangonist Rev. Kumalo, the pastor of a small country church in South Africa. The role of Kumalo is played brilliantly by James Earl Jones. In the opening scenes Rev. Kumalo travels to Johannesburg to come to the aid of his sister and to search for his son. While in Johannesburg, the lives of Rev. Kumalo and James Jarvis, a weathly farmer and neighbor of Kumalo played by Richard Harris, are brought together by an event (I will leave it at that) that will profoundly affect the lives of both men. Pay particular attention to the scene where Jones and Harris first meet, it is a wonderful example what is possible when two accomplished actors are put together and given the chance to ply their trades. "Cry, The Beloved Country," does require some patience from the viewer, director Darrell Roodt builds the story slowly and deliberately, and even this level of dillegence doesn't completely pay off, but when the movie comes to it's climax I can guarantee you will appreciate the time Roodt took to set up the story in the beginning of the movie. This is really the story of an honest man in dishonest wolrd and the effect individuals can make in the lives of others. This movie should have recieved much more attention when it was in the theaters and Jones should have recieved an Oscar nomination for his preformance. The final scene of the movie ends much as it starts, in the hills of South Africa. Director Darrel Roodt uses this local as bookends for this wonderous story. This movie is not available on DVD, but look for it on video tape it is well worth the effort.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Movie
Review: Not only is this a magnificently written story, the acting in the movie is among the best I have ever seen. James Earl Jones and Richard Harris offer better than Oscar worthy performances. The movie also follows the book very closely, something novel for Hollywood. This movie should become required viewing for high school and/or college students studying South Africa and/or race relations throughout contemporary history.
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