Poster for A Dry White Season

A Dry White Season

1989, Drama, 1h 37m

73 Reviews 2,500+ Ratings

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critics consensus

A striking triumph for director Euzhan Palcy, A Dry White Season offers a condemnation of real-world injustice in the shape of a gripping legal thriller. Read critic reviews

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A Dry White Season Photos

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Movie Info

Teacher Ben du Toit (Donald Sutherland) mostly ignores the problems of apartheid in South Africa until he discovers that the son of a gardener (Winston Ntshona) at his school has been killed by corrupt policeman Stolz (Jürgen Prochnow). Du Toit persuades human rights attorney Ian McKenzie (Marlon Brando) to try the long-shot case against Stolz. During the trial, Du Toit's transformation into an advocate for justice is so absolute that it distances him from his family.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Euzhan Palcy
  • Producer:
    Paula Weinstein
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $3.3M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround

Cast & Crew

Donald Sutherland
Donald Sutherland
Ben du Toit
Winston Ntshona
Winston Ntshona
Gordon Ngubene
Zakes Mokae
Zakes Mokae
Stanley Makhaya
Jürgen Prochnow
Jürgen Prochnow
Captain Stolz
Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon
Melanie Bruwer
Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando
Ian McKenzie
Janet Suzman
Janet Suzman
Susan du Toit
Thoko Ntshinga
Thoko Ntshinga
Emily Ngubene
Susannah Harker
Susannah Harker
Suzette du Toit
Leonard Maguire
Leonard Maguire
Bruwer
Rowen Elmes
Rowen Elmes
Johan du Toit
Euzhan Palcy
Euzhan Palcy
Director
Paula Weinstein
Paula Weinstein
Producer
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News & Interviews for A Dry White Season

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Critic Reviews for A Dry White Season

All Critics (73) | Top Critics (31) | Fresh (60) | Rotten (13)
Full Review… Terry Kelleher Newsday Full Review… Harper Barnes St. Louis Post-Dispatch Full Review… Kathleen Carroll New York Daily News Full Review… Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Full Review… Jay Carr Boston Globe Full Review… Michael H. Price Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com Full Review… Juan Rodriguez Flores La Opinion Full Review… Hal Lipper Tampa Bay Times Full Review… Rick Chatenever Santa Cruz Sentinel Full Review… George Anderson Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Full Review… Dan DiNicola The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY) Full Review… Patrick Taggart Austin American-Statesman
View All Critic Reviews (73)

Audience Reviews for A Dry White Season

  • Mar 23, 2022
    A movie of subtle rage and pointed observations about the ways minds are changed (and just as often not changed) as well as the near impossible yet necessary task of resisting totalitarianism in all of its forms.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Apr 26, 2009
    It's too bad that such a well-intentioned movie is so mediocre. Cliche-riddled, convoluted writing and often haphazard choices made by director Euzhan Palcy are too blatant too be ignored. Donald Sutherland is a convincing but uncompelling lead, and Susan Sarandon's vocal work is laughable. In a shamefully small amount of screen time, Marlon Brando leaves a stronger impression than anyone else in the movie.
    Super Reviewer
  • May 28, 2007
    Good film. Brando has a small role which he plays quite well. Sutherland is very good.
    Morris N Super Reviewer
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