Cry, the Beloved Country (1951 film)

Cry, the Beloved Country is a 1951 British drama film directed by Zoltán Korda and starring Sidney Poitier, Charles Carson and Canada Lee, in his last film role. The film is based on the novel of the same name written by Alan Paton.

Cry, the Beloved Country
U.S. theatrical release poster
Directed by	Zoltán Korda
Written by	Alan Paton (novel & screenplay) John Howard Lawson (screenplay) originally uncredited
Produced by	Zoltan Korda Alan Paton
Starring	Canada Lee Charles Carson Sidney Poitier Joyce Carey
Cinematography	Robert Krasker
Edited by	David Eady
Music by	Raymond Gallois-Montbrun
Production company	London Films
Distributed by	British Lion Films
Release dates	23 January 1952 (1952-01-23) (U.S.) 25 April 1952 (1952-04-25) (UK)
Running time	103 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Box office	£95,433 (UK)[1]

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, Kumalo discovers that his sister, a prostitute with a young son, left home to find her husband but failed to find him and has been incarcerated in prison. He discovers that his son has impregnated a young girl 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 the country.

Cast

• Canada Lee as Stephen Kumalo
• Sidney Poitier as Reverend Msimangu
• Charles Carson as James Jarvis
• Joyce Carey as Mrs. Jarvis
• Geoffrey Keen as Father Vincent
• Michael Goodliffe as Martens
• Edric Connor as John Kumalo
• Lionel Ngakane as Absolom
• Vivien Clinton as Mary
• Albertina Temba as Mrs. Kumalo
• Charles McRae as Kumalo's Friend
• Ribbon Dhlamini as Gertrude Kumalo

Production

Cry, the Beloved Country was the first major film shot in South Africa, with interiors filmed in the UK at Shepperton Studios.^[2] As South Africa was under apartheid, stars Sidney Poitier and Canada Lee and producer/director Zoltan Korda informed the South African immigration authorities that Poitier and Lee were not actors but were Korda's indentured servants. After his work on the film, Lee planned to prepare a full report about life in South Africa. He was called to appear before the House Un-American Activities Committee to explain his actions but died of heart failure before he could testify.

Release

The film had its premiere on 23 January 1952 at the Bijou Theatre in New York City.^[3]

Reception

The film holds an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.^[4] 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."^[5]

Awards

Won

• 2nd Berlin International Film Festival – Bronze Berlin Bear^[6]

Nominated

• 1952 Cannes Film Festival – Palme d'Or^[7]