Cry, the Beloved Country (1951 film)


Cry, the Beloved Country is a 1951 British drama film directed by Zoltán Korda. Based on the novel of the same name by Alan Paton, it stars Canada Lee, Sidney Poitier, and Charles Carson. This film was Canada Lee's last film.

Plot

From the back country of South Africa, black minister Stephen Kumalo journeys to Johannesburg to help his sister, who has been reported to be ill, and to search for his son, who left home and has not kept in contact. He is also asked to visit the daughter of someone who has not heard from her for some time. With the help of fellow minister, Reverend Msimangu, he discovers that his sister, who has a young son, who left home to find her husband who left in search of work, failed to find him and has been in prison and is a prostitute. He finds out that his son has got a young girl pregnant and is a thief and murderer. Both live in a poverty stricken urban community. The ministers confront the harsh reality of apartheid and its inimical effects on both white and black inhabitants.

Cast

Cast and characters are in order as listed by the British Film Institute.
Zoltan Korda's acclaimed smash film was shot entirely in South Africa. Since the country was ruled by strict apartheid laws, stars Sidney Poitier and Canada Lee and producer/director Korda cooked up a scheme where they told the South African immigration authorities that Poitier and Lee were not actors but were Korda's indentured servants; otherwise, the two black actors and the white director could have been arrested, and jailed without trial. It marked the first time a major film was shot in the racially divided country, leading to serious exposure of the terrible conditions there. After the making of this film, Canada Lee planned to make a full report about life in South Africa: he was then called to appear before the House Un-American Activities Committee to explain his actions, but died of heart failure before he could testify.

Critical response

The film was well received by critics, and currently holds an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Those praising the film included Bosley Crowther in The New York Times who stated "It is difficult to do proper justice to the fine qualities of this film or to the courage and skill of Mr. Korda in transmitting such a difficult and sobering theme."

Awards

;Won
;Nominated