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Donald Sutherland, Winston Ntshona, Zakes Mokae, Jürgen Prochnow, Susan Sarandon ... see more see more... , Marlon Brando , Janet Suzman , Leonard Maguire , Rowen Elmes , Gerard Thoolen , Stella Dickin , David de Keyser , Andrew Whaley , John Kani , Sophie Mgcina , Bekhithemba Mpofu , Tinashe Makoni , Precious Thiri , Richard Wilson , Derek Hanekom , Michael Gambon , Paul Brooke , Susannah Harker , Rosemary Martin , Hugh Masekela , Thoko Ntshinga , Ronald Pickup , Mercia Davids , Grant Davidson , Mannie de Villiers , Ndu Gumede , Stephen Hanly , Kevin Johnson , Sello Maake , Anna Manimanzi , Ernest Ndlovu , Charles Pillai , Andre Proctor , Willie Zweni

Schoolteacher Ben du Toit (Donald Sutherland) has been insulated all his life from the horrors of apartheid in his native South Africa. Perhaps he really didn't want to know. When the son of his black... read more read more... gardener is arrested and beaten as a result of a schoolboy protest in Soweto, at first he imagines the police must have had their reasons. However, the boy is picked up again, and this time he doesn't come back. Ben promises his servant that he will look into the incident, and discovers that the boy was killed simply to gratify the violent urges of Captain Stolz (Jurgen Prochnow), a "special branch" policeman. At long last he has gotten a glimpse into the truly arbitrary and violent nature of the system he has so long benefitted from, and he hires Ian Mackenzie (Marlon Brando) to prosecute the killer. It is a foregone conclusion that Stolz will not be punished, but Mackenzie rises to new heights of withering sarcasm and irony in the courtroom. This situation turns Ben into a radical firebrand, which alienates him from his white friends and neighbors, as well as members of his family. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Flixster Users

66% liked it

2,391 ratings

Critics

91% liked it

11 critics

R, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Euzhan Palcy

Release Date: September 15, 1989

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DVD Release Date: November 8, 2005

Stats: 83 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (83)

  • michaelcorleone
    April 26, 2009
    michaelcorleone
    It's too bad that such a well-intentioned movie is so mediocre. Cliche-riddled, convoluted writing and often haphazard choices made by director Euzhan Palcy are too blatant too be ignored. Donald Sutherland is a convincing but uncompelling lead, and Susan Sarandon's vocal work is... read more laughable. In a shamefully small amount of screen time, Marlon Brando leaves a stronger impression than anyone else in the movie.
  • KingofAllBlacks
    December 18, 2011
    KingofAllBlacks
    A very important film. It took much courage to bring this film to the big screen on the part of all involved.
  • zepp007
    February 15, 2009
    zepp007
    Donald Sutherland plays a naive schoolteacher who apparently didn't notice the problems of Apartheid in South Africa. Overall kinda weak, but the acting is brilliant, especially from Marlon Brando and Jurgen Prochnow.
  • RblWthACoz
    January 10, 2008
    RblWthACoz
    A look at the brutality and sin of apartheid era Suid Afrika. Donald Sutherland plays quite possibly the most naive Afrikaner ever born. I am not sure how possible it would be to live in the state of oblivion his character has been in. But hey, there you have it. A decent period... read more piece meant to stir up resentment of a great evil against humanity at the time of its release.

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Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz
May 7, 2007
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Tells about the political awakenings in 1976 to apartheid in South Africa. Full Review

David Nusair
November 12, 2005
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...a powerful examination of the effects of Apartheid on a privileged white man. Full Review

Steve Crum
June 15, 2005
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

Late career Brando is so-so drama.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
July 10, 2003
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Depicts one Afrikaner's journey toward moral responsibility in South Africa. Full Review

Dan Lybarger
March 14, 2003
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online

A heavy-handed but effective condemnation of Apartheid justice. Brando, who worked for free on this one, is great as an opposition lawyer.

James Sanford
July 29, 2002
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette

a provocative topic makes for a mundane drama

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Peter Travers
May 13, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

No review available.

Jeanne Cooper
January 1, 2000
Jeanne Cooper, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

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