Rating: 
Summary: A MAGNIFICENT AND MOVING FILM...
Review: This adaptation of Alan Paton's best selling novel is superior to the 1951 version starring Sidney Poitier, though that earlier adaptation is also excellent. Here, Richard Harris gives a sharply drawn performance as a hard nosed, well to do landowner in South Africa with a somewhat negative attitude toward the native population. James Earl Jones gives a beautifully nuanced, sensitive performance as a simple, country preacher who is described by a colleague as simply the "best man he ever met".The story takes place in 1946. The preacher temporaily leaves his flock and family to go to Johannesburg to search for his brother, his sister, and his son, Absalom. For those who are well versed in the Bible, the name "Absalom" is not without significance. He finds all three, but too late. His brother has turned away from the church and become involved in racial politics. His sister has turned to prostitution, and his son has become involved with less than salubrious companions. The landowner lives in the same countryside as the preacher, and he, too, has a son. As did the preacher's son, his had also migrated to Johannesburg, and was a well known city engineer, as well as an altruist dedicated to helping the native population. Unfortunately, the son ends up murdered in his own home by a gang of natives, one of whom is Absalom. While the landowner and the preacher may have been from the same area and their paths may have crossed, they had never before spoken to one another, until their paths tragically intersected through their sons: one murdered, the other, the murderer. Their respective journeys to reach their sons serves to starkly draw the contrast between White and Black South Africa. In fact, this is essentially the story of two South Africas, one White, the other, Black. It is also the story of two fathers, each finding that his son is lost to him forever. What follows is the struggle of each father to understand what happened, and the reasons why it may have happened in the bigger context. Ultimately, they are just fathers, united in sorrow, as they never could have been in life, at least not in South Africa; neither of whom comprehends the new order of things to come. Yet, as each discovers who his son had been, a new understanding dawns upon them and a barrier is surmounted. There is an inadvertent meeting between the two fathers while in Johannesburg, that is one of the most moving scenes of any film, carried by the affecting performances of Harris and Jones. It is a moment that is certainly not lost on the viewer. There is also one other scene where the fathers meet again, back in the countryside where they are from. Again, Harris and Jones create a mood that bespeaks volumes, such is their talent. This is an incredible and memorable film that should not be missed. Harris and Jones are supported by Charles Dutton, who gives a dynamic performance as the preacher's errant brother, and by a largely unknown cast who are uniformly excellent. This is a quality film from beginning to end.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful picture of "life" in the midst of tragedy
Review: This adaptation of Alan Paton's instant classic Cry the Beloved Country is one of the few movies which does the book justice. And while I still prefer the book for its beautiful, poetic depth of character, thought etc, I must say that Richard Harris and James Earl Jones give outstanding performances. This might be enough to commend the movie to some. The movie gives a powerful picture of some of the issues which existed in South Africa before Apartheid became official policy, but which certainly prefigured much of that horrid system of government. The story of two men caught in tragic circumstances,(James Earl Jones, a black preacher in rural South Africa, whose people/families are being lost to the "mines" and industry of the cities, loses his son, who kills the son of a white landowner/neighbor(Harris) while living in Johannesburg). A study in how each man, seeks to deal with the realities of life in these tragic circumstances, without succumbing to the further tragedy of marxism which would later infect South Africa. A wonderful picture of "life" in the midst of tragedy
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful picture of "life" in the midst of tragedy
Review: This adaptation of Alan Paton's instant classic Cry the Beloved Country is one of the few movies which does the book justice. And while I still prefer the book for its beautiful, poetic depth of character, thought etc, I must say that Richard Harris and James Earl Jones give outstanding performances. This might be enough to commend the movie to some. The movie gives a powerful picture of some of the issues which existed in South Africa before Apartheid became official policy, but which certainly prefigured much of that horrid system of government. The story of two men caught in tragic circumstances,(James Earl Jones, a black preacher in rural South Africa, whose people/families are being lost to the "mines" and industry of the cities, loses his son, who kills the son of a white landowner/neighbor(Harris) while living in Johannesburg). A study in how each man, seeks to deal with the realities of life in these tragic circumstances, without succumbing to the further tragedy of marxism which would later infect South Africa. A wonderful picture of "life" in the midst of tragedy
Rating:
Summary: STUNNING PRODUCTION OF ALAN PATON'S UNFORGETTABLE NOVEL
Review: This is a seamless work of cinematic art: the writing, acting, photography - every element is so right and true to the director's (and Paton's) vision. Heartbreaking in its portrayal of two fathers caught in the tragedy of a beloved country torn asunder by ignorance and fear, Darrell Roodt's film is nothing short of a jewel.
Rating:
Summary: This is a life-enhancing film.
Review: This is that rare film: one that is better than the novel upon which it is based. Alan Paton's 1948 novel is a great book, but this film surpasses it in terms of emotional impact, thanks largely to a well-crafted screenplay and to the superb acting of Richard Harris and James Earl Jones. Set in South Africa, the film tells the tale of a wealthy white landowner and a poor black priest whose lives are unexpectedly brought together by tragedy. It avoids sentimentality and the cliches about race that are so common in today's politically correct society. This is a deeply moving and honest human drama, and the viewer will find that the story touches his very soul. Mention must also be made of John Barry's brilliant score for the film, which contributes mightily to the drama being played out on the screen.
Rating:
Summary: Cry, the Beloved Country - VHS
Review: This movie was based on how a preacher suffered with many family problems and how he kept his faith and held on to his faith and he was rewarded in the end. It was one of the best drama's I have ever seen.
Rating:
Summary: Cry, the Beloved Country - VHS
Review: This movie was based on how a preacher suffered with many family problems and how he kept his faith and held on to his faith and he was rewarded in the end. It was one of the best drama's I have ever seen.
| 
