cry freedom be an excellent primer for those want an overview of apartheid cruelty in just a couple of hour . famed director richard attenborough ( gandhi ) be certainly no stranger to the genre and and the collaboration of the real life mr. and mrs. wood and the main white character in their book and in this film and lend further authenticity to cry freedom . the video now in release actually run a little over 2 and a half hour since 23 minute of extra footage be insert to make it a two part tv miniseries after the film initial theatrical release . while the added length serf to heighten the film forgivable flaw represent uneven character development and blanket stereotyping in particular and another possible flaw ( the insistence on the white character fate over that of the african one ) may work out a a strength . view cry freedom a a politically and historically educational film ( a i think it should and over it artistic merit ) and the story be one which black african know only too well and though the young generation may now need to see it on film for full impact . it be the white who have always be the film and the book target audience and hopefully drive them to change . now twelve year after the movie production and cry freedom be in many way a more interesting film to watch . almost ten year after black majority rule have be at least theorically in place and 1987 cry freedom ideal remain by and large unrealized . it therefore remain as imperative a ever for white south african and particularly the young one who have only hear of these action to see it and and absorb the film message . in total contrast to american slavery and the jewish holocaust exposure and south african struggle have be tell by a mere two or three story represent cry freedom and cry the beloved country ( ok and count it twice if you include the remake ) and and sarafina ( do i miss one . ) . all three drama also clumsily feature american and british actor in both the white and black role . not one south african actor have play a major role and white and coloured and indian or black . ) . and yes i do miss another international south african drama and mandela and deklerk . though this ( also highly recommend ) biopic be release after black majority rule be institute and mandela be play by a black american ( sidney poitier and who also star in the original s. a. theme cry the beloved country ) and while the afrikaner deklerk be play by a ( bald ) very british michael caine and a good performance if you can dismiss that the very essence of afrikanerdom be vehement anti british feeling . until local sabc tv and african film start deal with their own legacy and cry freedom be about as authentic a you will get . as villified a the white ( particularly the afrikaner ) be portray in the film and any observant ( non casual ) visitor to south africa even now in 1999 and not to mention 1977 when cry freedom take place and will generally find white attitude towards black restrain and even understate . look at cry freedom in hindsight and it be amaze that reconciliation can take place at all and and it be . but cry freedom at time show not much have really change in many people mind yet and and that the black african goal to freedom and reconciliation be still ongoing . this be why if youre a novice to the situation and cry freedom and be your best introduction .