Cry, The Beloved Country
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Movie Reviews of Cry, The Beloved Country
Movie Review: A simple film about two fathers that leaves you amazed.
Summary: 5 Stars
Talk about a relief from our sardonic, nihilistic world. I felt like I popped in a handful of Poignant Pills after I saw this film.
I could use words like captivating, rapturous or brilliant to describe the screenplay, the acting, the mood of this film; but I'm not going to. To do so would be wrong, for this film does something that most films can not - it speaks for itself.
In it, we have two fathers. One, a minister (Earl Jones) during apartheid in South Africa. Another (Harris) is a rich man who never understood his son. When the pastor's son fearfully and regretfully kills the rich man's son, we witness the human condition at its frailest core. The pastor's shame all but consumes him while the rich man is more pained by the fact that he never was able to know his son who so painstakingly worked to restore racial harmony long before it was popular. Instead of adding to the pastor's guilt, grief and pain at what his son has done, he restores him by graciously forgiving the man and his child. It is as if each man knows his place and is unwilling to move above it. Jones' character cannot forgive himself for what his son has done and Harris' character cannot forgive himself for refusing to reach a bit further into his boy's life. They find healing in one another, and this adds to the tone of the film.
This film is altogether amazing, both story-wise and visually. Both men tread upon great pains in this film, pains that cut them to the heart, but both persevere.
One of the top twenty-five films I've ever watched and one of the most under appreciated movies of all time.
5 out of 5.
Movie Review: The greatest novel-to-film translation ever. . .
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Movie Review: Hope For the Human Spirit
Summary: 5 Stars
A poor black Anglican priest in South Africa during the time of apartheid must come to grips with the fact that his son has, during the course of committing a robbery, murdered a white man. Moreover the murdered white man had grown up on a wealthy plantation neighboring the black priest's church. The son of prejudiced white parents, the murdered white man had grown to become an outstanding, well recognized spokesman against apartheid and for equality among the races in South Africa. When the murdered man's father, ignorant of his son's work, reads it, he embraces the concepts.
Ultimately the black priest and the white landowner meet one another, although both had been much aware of the other's existence. The humble priest must reveal that it was his son who took away the life of the other man's son. The scene never fails to create streams of tears to flow down my face.
This newer version of Alan Paton's novel is touchingly portrayed by two outstanding actors - Richard Harris and James Earl Jones. Having seen the earlier version of "Cry, the Beloved Country," I thought I would not enjoy this rendition because the first one had been prepared with a modest simplicity which such a movie deserves in order to bring the theme to the forefront. I feared that Harris, with his flare for the dramatic, and Jones, with his magnificent voice, would draw too much attention to themselves. But both men are masterful actors and their performances only added to the pathos of the story, which subtly says there is hope for people.
Movie Review: Amazing Film
Summary: 5 Stars
I have seen this movie out there for a decade now and kept meaning to see it. The opportunity presented itself this Memorial Day weekend, so I took it. The story is set in the mid 1940s in South Africa. A priest is on a quest to find his long lost son. It seemed that everyone was getting lost in South Africa back then - hopefully they are better at keeping track of people now that we have email and cell phones.
Great movie - heavyweight actors James Earl Jones and Richard Harris turn in great performances. The movie delivers solid messages on racism, forgiveness and family. Highly recommend.
Movie Review: South African tragedy,Justice and Enlightenment
Summary: 5 Stars
Excellent movie. A black preacher(Jones) and a white wealthy landowner(Harris) played their roles astoundingly.
Living in an environment of apartheid or pending apartheid, both have experienced their own personal tragedies. Being complete strangers to each other, they eventually met face to face in a friendly atmosphere.Then as he was about to leave, the preacher turnd around and told the landowner, "My greatest sorrow is your greatest sorrow."
A definitely "must see" movie for everyone, young or old. Most certainly 5 stars for this DVD.