Cry, the Beloved Country is a novel by Alan Paton, which was later adapted into a movie when South Africa was going through turmoil and apartheid.
Story
The novel was published in 1948, just about when apartheid and social inequality started. Alan Paton acted as the morality police to remind people to love each other.
The story revolves around three characters, the preacher, the activist, and the white landowner. The police call the preacher to Johannesburg because his son and some friends commit a murder. The murder involves the death of the son of a wealthy white landowner. His bitter father and the preacher are at loggerheads while they try to resolve their conflict.
Cry, the Beloved Country explores the themes of segregation, apartheid, and social inequality. These are the prevalent issues; it also explores the lives of people in rural communities who discovered that agriculture was no longer a viable means of making money.
The Characters
James Earl Jones (Stephen Kumalo), who acts as a charismatic preacher, believes that all the societal ills happen in Johannesburg and Sophia Town because the allure of the big city seduced his sister to turn into prostitution and his son into armed robbery.
James Harvis (Richard Harris), the white landowner, is racist. He is a grieving father out for blood. He later makes peace with the preacher and ends up repairing the church.
Charles Dutton (John Kumalo), brother to Stephen, is a dodgy activist because he can extricate his son by hiring a good lawyer. Ultimately, Stephen’s son takes the fall and is executed.
Cast
James Earl Jones is Stephen Kumalo
Charles Dutton is John Kumalo
James Harvis is Richard Harris
Eric Miyeni is Absalom Kumalo
Dambisa Kente is Getrude Kumalo
Here is a review of another historical movie Keteke
Technical
Cry, the Beloved Country has a stellar cast of Jones and Harris, and they carried their roles with the dignity expected of a preacher and a wealthy land owner. The cinematography and tone evoke emotions that will have you shed a tear.
Directed by Darrell Roodt, Cry, the Beloved Country was released in December 1995. The costume, lighting, hair, and makeup are the best for the movie set during this time.
The best backdrop is the South African skies. It adds to the beauty of the setting, its picturesque environment, and sprawling and lush green grass is the oomph that this movie needs.
Score
Overall, it is a great watch, and because I like anything that has to do with history and continuous learning, I score this 7/10.
