Cry, the Beloved Country **** (1951, Canada Lee, Sidney Poitier, Charles Carson, Joyce Carey, Geoffrey Keen, Michael Goodliffe) – Classic Movie Review 8942

Racial tensions in South Africa explode into violence as black preacher the Reverend Stephen Kumalo (Canada Lee)’s son kills white landowner James Jarvis (Charles Carson)’s boy, in director Zoltan Korda’s distinguished 1952 British drama Cry, the Beloved Country [African Fury].

Alan Paton adapts his classic novel into a brave and worthy and honourable film, notable for being one of cinema’s earliest attempts to discuss Apartheid.

Some awkward handling is balanced by scenes of great power, while Lee and Sidney Poitier, as the young South African Anglican priest the Reverend Msimangu, bring much dignity to the acting, and Brit stalwarts Joyce Carey, Geoffrey Keen, Michael Goodliffe are reliable as ever. It is filmed in Africa in black and white by Robert Krasker.

Cry, the Beloved Country [African Fury] is the winner of the 1953 BAFTA Film Award United Nations award and the Bronze Berlin Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival 1952.

Also in the cast are Charles McRae, Edric Connor, John Arnatt, Albertina Temba, Vivien Clinton, Lionel Ngakane, Bruce Meredith Smith, Bruce Anderson and Ribbon Dhlamini.

Cry, the Beloved Country [African Fury] is directed by Zoltan Korda, runs 102 minutes, is made by London Film Productions, released by British Lion (UK) and Lopert (US), is written by Alan Paton, based on his novel, shot in black and white by Robert Krasker, produced by Alan Paton and scored by Raymond Gallois-Montbrun.

It is remade in 1995 as Cry, the Beloved Country with Richard Harris and James Earl Jones as the first feature film shot on location in post-Apartheid South Africa.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8942

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