The film is most interesting when showing the ignorance of the Afrikaners. The film falters when trying to address the complexities of the political issues.
The Color of Freedom (2007)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:18
Fresh:8
Rotten:10
Average Rating:4.7/10
Theatrical Release:2007
Synopsis:
South Africa - 1968
Twenty-five million blacks are ruled by a minority of four million whites under the brutal Apartheid regime of the Nationalist Party Government. Black people have no vote, no...
South Africa - 1968
Twenty-five million blacks are ruled by a minority of four million whites under the brutal Apartheid regime of the Nationalist Party Government. Black people have no vote, no land rights, no rights to freedom of movement, to own a business, to housing or education. Determined to retain power, whites ban all black opposition organizations, forcing their leaders into exile or imprisoning them for life on Robben Island.
James Gregory, a typical white Afrikaner, regards blacks as sub-human. Having grown up on a farm in the Transkei, he learned to speak Xhosa at an early age. This makes him an ideal choice to become the warder in charge of Mandela and his comrades on Robben Island. After all, Gregory speaks their language and can spy on them. However, the plan backfires. Through Mandela's influence, Gregory's allegiance gradually shifts from the racist government to the struggle for a free South Africa.
Goodbye Bafana tracks the unlikely but profound relationship between these two men. Through their unique friendship, we witness not only Gregory's growing awareness of man's inhumanity to man, but South Africa's evolution from Apartheid to a vibrant democracy.
The story, which documents how Mandela became the most inspirational political figure of the modern world, poses the questions: Who is the prisoner? And who sets whom free? --© Paramount Classics
[More]
Starring: Joseph Fiennes, Diane Kruger, Dennis Haysbert, Shiloh Henderson
Starring: Joseph Fiennes, Diane Kruger, Dennis Haysbert, Shiloh Henderson, Tyron Keogh, Megan Smith, Jessica Manuel, Faith Ndukwana, Terry Pheto
Director: Bille August
Director: Bille August
Screenwriter: Greg Latter, Bille August
Producer: Jean-Luc Van Damme, Ilann Girard, Andro Steinborn
Composer: Dario Marianelli
Studio: Paramount Classics
Get This Movie
Reviews for The Color of Freedom
Interesting story and OK performances but this takes a little time to warm up.
n engaging, inspirational and ultimately uplifting drama with superb performances from its two leads.
Goodbye Bafana should keep you locked in for most of its generous running time.
A strong performance from Fiennes and excellent period detail can't energise a sluggish biographical drama.
The script is lumpen and prosaic, the performances so-so, and the passage of the years deeply unconvincing.
Another well-meaning, dopily prosaic movie of the sort that often gets a mercy nomination thrown its way ... Does a severe disservice to a truly great history.
Full marks to director Bille August for achieving the near-impossible: crafting a film about Nelson Mandela that threatens to send you to sleep and reduces the great man himself to mere background noise.
Sincere as it patently is, and perfectly competently made, Goodbye Bafana progresses through the last years of the apartheid regime at a snail's pace.
Director August once had a knack for telling stories of adolescent bonds, and he makes good use of one childhood flashback and a scene in which Bafana and Mandela blend into one person. For a moment, he achieves a balance the rest of the film lacks.
Opportunities to emotionally bond with happenings onscreen are far and few between.
It's a portrait of political activism that makes John and Yoko's bed-in look lively.
Latest News for The Color of Freedom
December 13, 2007:
Critical Consensus: I Am Legend All Over the Map, Chipmunks Hits Sour Note
This week at the movies, we've got the last man on earth (I Am Legend, starring Will Smith), Alvin, Simon, and Theodore (Alvin and the Chipmunks, starring Jason Lee), and mommy... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
| 53% 53% | David & Layla |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- The Color of Freedom at Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Links
Featured

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

Hollywood.com ponders whether or not an animated film could win Best Picture.

Richard Corliss previews the season's best offerings and hottest tickets.

The AV Club's Mike D'Angelo airs his beefs with Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!







