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Hilary Swank, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jamie Bartlett, Marius Weyers, Ian Roberts ... see more see more... , Nomhle Nkonyeni , Greg Latter , Mawonga Dominic Tyawa

A dedicated human rights lawyer and a political activist who suffered at the hands of South African police officer with no regard for human life finds that the only thing more dangerous than standing ... read more read more...up for your beliefs is the discovery of the truth in director Tom Hooper's adaptation of Gillian Slovo's captivating novel. Tortured at the hands of police officer Dirk Hendricks (Jamie Bartlett) for his efforts in seeking equality under the brutal apartheid regime, social activist Alex Mpondo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is shocked upon learning that Officer Hendricks is now seeking amnesty for his violent deeds. When human rights lawyer Sarah Barcant (Hilary Swank) returns to her South African home to represent Alex, she quickly discovers that the deeper she delves into the past, the more she has to fear in the present. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

70% liked it

1,748 ratings

R, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: Tom Hooper

Release Date: January 1, 2004

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DVD Release Date: July 25, 2006

Stats: 145 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (145)

  • bbcfloridabound
    October 31, 2009
    bbcfloridabound
    A Great Movie, far more then I expected, about the best HBO Film I have seen. Hilary Swank has come a long way since Harry and the Henderson?s. Non US actors Jamie Bartlett and Ian Roberts added the gusto needed. This movie is about the apathy in South African. Chiwetel Ejiofor w... read moreho plays Alex Mpondo a member of South Africa's Parliament, who was in prison and beaten and watched the brutal beating and murder of his friend Steve Sizela while being questioned. People who took part in this beating can obtain amnesty for acts of atrocity if they come forward and tell the whole truth. The music all during the movie is unforgetful. This story makes for a tear along the way. I went into this moving knowing nothing about its contents, picked it up in a pawn shop. Its another one of those unheard of greats. 4 1/2 stars.
  • FiLmCrAzY
    October 11, 2009
    FiLmCrAzY
    My favourite film really really good and a great story its all about the apartied and its brilliant and it makes you aware of what was happening in that time with the south african's and the hardships they've been through its a really heart menacing film and completely worth a wa... read moretch!
    Fantastic performances as well.
    its compelling intriguing and exciting with fantastic performances nd brilliant storyline that is great an well written!
    Hilary swnk returns t her home plac to help a south african convit his torturer!
    things arent simple though and gettng a conviction turnsout to be ard with burrued truths being opened and hiuring a good moviereall worth a wtch!
  • gator681
    June 2, 2007
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]In "Red Dust", it is 2000 in South Africa when former state security agent, Dirk Hendricks(Jamie Bartlett), is set to testify before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, seeking amnesty in the month-long torture of former ANC activist, Alex Mpondo(Chiwete... read morel Ejiofor), which makes Hendricks' former boss, Piet Muller(Ian Roberts), nervous. Mpondo, now an ambitious politician, has reasons of his own to be concerned, as he searches for the fate of a friend, Steve Sizala, who was arrested at the same time. Representing Mpondo is Sarah Barcant(Hilary Swank), a New York prosecutor who is returning back to the South Africa village she used to call home.[/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic]"Red Dust" is a lumbering and simplistic take on what is apparently a very complex process. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was set up to discover the truth behind Apartheid-era crimes by both blacks and whites and to head off the bloodletting that usually accompanies a radical change in government. In order to get former participants to testify, amnesty is promised in return. Yes, this does sound like an imperfect system but the alternative is far worse.("Battlestar Galactica" made a similar point recently.) Closure is not automatic in these hearings, as shown well in the excellent documentary "Long Night's Journey into Day". The commission will likely be an ongoing process, making it very hard to capture in a narrative film.[/font]
  • jtownsmisc
    June 27, 2007
    jtownsmisc
    This movie is a well done movie that focuses on the harsh realities of South Africa's apartheid system and the Truth and Reconciliation process in the post-apartheid era. Hillary Swank isn't the best, but the movies storyline and production is rather well done and worth the watch,

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Critic Reviews

Urban Cinefile Critics
November 11, 2005
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile

The subject matter is as divisive as racism, as provocative as the elusiveness of justice and as complex as human beings can be. Full Review

Marta Barber
February 4, 2005
Marta Barber, Miami Herald

Though Hooper falters on the side of manipulation, the story remains engrossing. Full Review

David Nusair
December 11, 2004
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...never quite becomes as compelling or intriguing as we get the impression it's supposed to be. Full Review

Mark R. Leeper
December 8, 2004
Mark R. Leeper, rec.arts.movies.reviews

Taking the form of a courtroom drama this film looks at the atrocities of the South African apartheid government and at the possibility of reconciliation.

Dennis Harvey
July 4, 2008
Dennis Harvey, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

January 17, 2006
Sydney Morning Herald

Click to read the article Full Review

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