Cry the Beloved Country

Tears of regret, tears of mourning, tears of triumph -- all of these glisten in the viewer’s eyes when watching “Cry, the Beloved Country”. Not only does this movie immerse the viewer in a roller coaster of emotions, but it also teaches about the devastation brought about by Apartheid in South Africa. The story follows a desperate priest, Stephen Kumalo, searching for answers and hope along a treacherous and winding path. During his journey he will encounter sorrow and death, which eventually blossoms into victory over oppression. “Cry, the Beloved Country” will teach, entertain, and prove to any observer that good can inhabit even the most evil places.

One of the greatest evils ever to be present in South Africa was Apartheid. As good work became harder and harder to find, many blacks moved into the cities such as Johannesburg. Stephen Kumalo had two relatives who did such, and he eventually lost contact with them. He receives a letter from a fellow priest in the c

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“Cry, the Beloved Country” teaches about the evils of Apartheid and the means necessary to overcome prejudice. Struck by depression and regret, Stephen finds it hard to go on to what he fears may be a dismal result. As he searches through the city he finds his sister, who has been sucked into the dark, dirty underworld of the city as a prostitute. Arthur finds that his son has been fighting for equal rights in South Africa, and after reading letters his son wrote, James begins to see the light. By the time he finds his son, Absalom has committed murder and confessed to it. However, at the event of his son, Arthur’s, death, James discovers the secret life that his son led as well.

Stephen Kumalo’s next task is to find his son, Absalom, who he has not heard from in over a year. Stephen is filled with sorrow as he and the viewer discover exactly how destructive Apartheid has been on the lives of even the most innocent people. Despite heartache and misery, Stephen Kumalo looks through his tears and sees an opportunity to further the battle against Apartheid and the hate that drives it. Stephen helps James see the truth and become someone who loves based on character, not on the color of someone’s skin. Despite having always been a racist, it appears that James is ready to embrace equal rights. However, as Stephen soon learns, he is too late. As an unlikely pairing, the two men mourn together and help each other through the darkest of times. In the end of the movie “Cry, the Beloved Country”, James Jarvis has triumphed over his oppressive nature with the help of a man he wouldn’t have considered listening to a month before.

Approximate Word count = 660
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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