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A Dry White Season (1989)

A Dry White Season (1989)
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Schoolteacher Ben du Toit (Donald Sutherland) has been insulated all his life from the horrors of apartheid in his native South Africa. Perhaps he really didn't want to know. When the son of his black gardener is arrested and beaten as a result of a schoolboy protest in Soweto, at first he imagines the police must have had their reasons. However, the boy is picked up again, and this time he doesn't come back. Ben promises his servant that he will look into the incident, and discovers that the boy was killed simply to gratify the violent urges of Captain Stolz (Jurgen Prochnow), a "special branch" policeman. At long last he has gotten a glimpse into the truly arbitrary and violent nature of the system he has so long benefitted from, and he hires Ian Mackenzie (Marlon Brando) to prosecute the killer. It is a foregone conclusion that Stolz will not be punished, but Mackenzie rises to new heights of withering sarcasm and irony in the courtroom. This situation turns Ben into a radical firebrand, which alienates him from his white friends and neighbors, as well as members of his family. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

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Starring:
Donald Sutherland, Winston Ntshona, (more)
Director(s):
Euzhan Palcy
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of A Dry White Season

Schoolteacher Ben du Toit (Donald Sutherland) has been insulated all his life from the horrors of apartheid in his native South Africa. Perhaps he really didn't want to know. When the son of his black gardener is arrested and beaten as a result of a schoolboy protest in Soweto, at first he imagines the police must have had their reasons. However, the boy is picked up again, and this time he doesn't come back. Ben promises his servant that he will look into the incident, and discovers that the boy was killed simply to gratify the violent urges of Captain Stolz (Jurgen Prochnow), a "special branch" policeman. At long last he has gotten a glimpse into the truly arbitrary and violent nature of the system he has so long benefitted from, and he hires Ian Mackenzie (Marlon Brando) to prosecute the killer. It is a foregone conclusion that Stolz will not be punished, but Mackenzie rises to new heights of withering sarcasm and irony in the courtroom. This situation turns Ben into a radical firebrand, which alienates him from his white friends and neighbors, as well as members of his family. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
107 mins

Complete Cast of A Dry White Season


Director(s):
Euzhan Palcy
Writer(s):
Colin Welland, Alison Cross, Euzhan Palcy
Producer(s):
Paula Weinstein, Mary Selway
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Adult Language, Questionable for Children, Profanity, Violence)
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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    Robert D.

    This film was extremely well done..having briefly lived in South Africa many years before this film was made, I can vouch for some of the injustices perpetrated upon on the blacks as such..the characters depicted were very true to life as well as Donald Sutherland's role and his son..I particulary liked the part played by Marlon Brando who never flinches and realizes the hoplessness of it all..4 stars!

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    Ann C.

    Would you dare to to speak out about monstrous racial crimes against a family whom you know and respect? In "A Dry White Season," quiet teacher Ben du Toit is galvanized to confront his friends' tormenters in apartheid South Africa. As a result, Ben's whole world is turned upside down, to say nothing of the Soweto family he tries to help. This film is violent, serene, ugly and beautiful, all at the same time. Hugh Masekela's haunting music underscores it.

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    Joanna W.

    even though not a true story it was sad because it is based on fact. If you liked Sometimes in April or Hotel Rwanda then you will like this movie too as it is along those lines. Not a feel-good movie, educational, interesting, disturbing, but if you saw them then you know what I mean.

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