Cry Freedom poster

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Streaming data from JustWatch

Cry Freedom

1987 · Movie · 157 min
B

MEANRANK

75/100

Averaged across 7 ratings · 29.4K votes

Every rating

Platform pages last read 29 September 2026. IMDb’s figure comes from IMDb’s own data file, which we re-read about once a month.

71–87 out of 100

Everyone agrees

Lowest is Letterboxd on 71, highest is Rotten Tomatoes viewers on 87.

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A dramatic story, based on actual events, about the friendship between two men struggling against apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s. Donald Woods is a white liberal journalist in South Africa who begins to follow the activities of Stephen Biko, a courageous and outspoken black anti-apartheid activist.

Details

Released
6 November 1987
Country
United Kingdom, Zimbabwe
Language
English
Runtime
157 min
Rated
PG
Budget
$29.0M
Box office
$25.9M
Awards
5 wins, 16 nominations

This title elsewhere

Kevin Kline

Kevin Kline

Donald Woods

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington

Steve Biko

Penelope Wilton

Penelope Wilton

Wendy Woods

Kate Hardie

Kate Hardie

Jane Woods

John Matshikiza

John Matshikiza

Mapetla

Zakes Mokae

Zakes Mokae

Father Kani

John Thaw

John Thaw

Kruger

Awards & nominations

See all 21 →

5 wins from 21 nominations across 8 ceremonies

Academy Awards 1987 Best Supporting Actor Denzel Washington Nominee
Academy Awards 1987 Best Original Song "Cry Freedom" – George Fenton and Jonas Gwangwa Nominee
Academy Awards 1987 Best Original Score George Fenton and Jonas Gwangwa Nominee
Golden Globe Awards 1987 Best Motion Picture – Drama Cry Freedom Nominee
Golden Globe Awards 1987 Best Director – Motion Picture Richard Attenborough Nominee
Golden Globe Awards 1987 Best Original Score – Motion Picture George Fenton and Jonas Gwangwa Nominee
Golden Globe Awards 1987 Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama Denzel Washington Nominee
Grammy Awards 1987 Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television "Cry Freedom" – George Fenton and Jonas Gwangwa Nominee
Show all 21 awards across 8 ceremonies

Awards from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.