A Dry White Season (1989)
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- R
- 1h 46min
- Drama, Thriller
- 20 Sep 1989 (USA)
- Movie
A white middle class South African suburbanite with no interest in politics agrees to help his black gardener find his jailed son. His investigation opens his eyes to the horrors committed by the secret police and turns him into a target.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 8 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Donald Sutherland | ... |
Ben
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| Janet Suzman | ... |
Susan
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| Zakes Mokae | ... |
Stanley
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| Jürgen Prochnow | ... |
Captain Stolz
(as Jurgen Prochnow)
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| Susan Sarandon | ... |
Melanie
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| Marlon Brando | ... |
McKenzie
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| Winston Ntshona | ... |
Gordon
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Thoko Ntshinga | ... |
Emily
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Leonard Maguire | ... |
Bruwer
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| Gerard Thoolen | ... |
Col. Viljoen
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| Susannah Harker | ... |
Suzette
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Andrew Whaley | ... |
Chris
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Rowen Elmes | ... |
Johan
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Stella Dickin | ... |
Susan's Mother
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| David de Keyser | ... |
Susan's Father
(as David De Keyser)
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| John Kani | ... |
Julius
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Sophie Mgcina | ... |
Margaret
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Bekhithemba Mpofu | ... |
Jonathan
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Tinashe Makoni | ... |
Robert
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Precious Phiri | ... |
Wellington
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| Richard Wilson | ... |
Cloete
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Derek Hanekom | ... |
Viviers
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| Michael Gambon | ... |
Magistrate
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| Ronald Pickup | ... |
Louw
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| Paul Brooke | ... |
Dr. Herzog
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Ernest Ndlovu | ... |
Archibald Mabaso
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Stephen Hanly | ... |
Sgt. Van Zyl
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Andrew Proctor | ... |
Jaimie
(as Andre Proctor)
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Kevin Johnson | ... |
Gert
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Grant Davidson | ... |
Lt. Venter
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Ndu Gumede | ... |
Douma
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Sello Maake Ka-Ncube | ... |
Johnson Seroke
(as Sello Maake)
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Charles Pillai | ... |
Dr. Hassiem
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| Rosemary Martin | ... |
Mrs. Beachley
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Willie Zweni | ... |
Aubrey Kunene
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Mercia Davids | ... |
Sadie
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Mannie De Villiers | ... |
Police Commandant
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Anna Manimanzi | ... |
Soweto Girl
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Tina Simmons | ... |
Court Reporter (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Euzhan Palcy | ||
Written by
| André P. Brink | ... | (novel) (as André Brink) |
| Colin Welland | ... | (screenplay) and |
| Euzhan Palcy | ... | (screenplay) |
Produced by
| Tim Hampton | ... | executive producer |
| Mary Selway | ... | associate producer |
| Paula Weinstein | ... | producer |
Music by
| Dave Grusin | ||
Cinematography by
| Pierre-William Glenn | ||
| Kelvin Pike | ||
Editing by
| Glenn Cunningham | ||
| Sam O'Steen | ||
Editorial Department
| Donah Bassett | ... | negative cutter |
| Paul Elman | ... | second assistant editor |
| Adam Fredericks | ... | assistant editor |
| Lizi Gelber | ... | assistant editor |
| Bob Hagans | ... | color timer |
| Cheryl Kroll | ... | assistant editor |
| Dominick Palcy | ... | assistant editor |
Casting By
| Mary Selway | ||
Production Design by
| John Fenner | ||
Art Direction by
| Michael Philips | ... | (as Mike Phillips) |
| Alan Tomkins | ... | supervising art director |
Set Decoration by
| Peter James | ||
Costume Design by
| Charles Knode | ||
Makeup Department
| Magdalen Gaffney | ... | makeup artist |
| Tommie Manderson | ... | makeup supervisor |
| Vera Mitchell | ... | chief hairdresser |
| Peter Robb-King | ... | chief makeup artist: London unit |
| Jane Royle | ... | chief makeup artist: London unit |
| Lisa Tomblin | ... | assistant hairdresser |
Production Management
| Rory Kilalea | ... | production manager |
| Leonard C. Kroll | ... | post-production executive (as Leonard Kroll) |
| Jeannie Stone | ... | unit production manager: London unit |
| Vincent Winter | ... | production supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Jonathan Benson | ... | first assistant director: London unit |
| Mishka Cheyko | ... | first assistant director (as Michel Cheyko) |
| Michel Ferry | ... | second assistant director |
| Efstathios Fillis | ... | second assistant director |
| Antony Ford | ... | third assistant director: London unit |
| Isaac Mabhikwa | ... | third assistant director (as Issac Mabhikwa) |
| Gerard Wall | ... | second assistant director: London unit |
Art Department
| Martin Asbury | ... | storyboard artist |
| Mickey Bacon | ... | props |
| Michael Boone | ... | draughtsman |
| Roy Cannon | ... | props |
| Tracy Dunn | ... | assistant art director |
| David Guwaza | ... | props |
| Derek Ixer | ... | standby props: chief, London unit (as Derek Ixier) |
| Bert Long | ... | supervising carpenter (as Albert Long) |
| John Palmer | ... | standby props: chief |
| Bill Stallion | ... | storyboard artist |
| Tony Teiger | ... | property master |
| Ty Teiger | ... | standby props: chief, London unit |
| Carine Tredgold | ... | assistant art director |
| Bill Welch | ... | construction manager |
| Terry Wells | ... | standby dressing prop |
| Paul Wescott | ... | hod scenic painter |
Sound Department
| Ron Butcher | ... | sound maintenance |
| James Cavarretta | ... | recordist (as James Cavarretta Jr) |
| Roy Charman | ... | sound mixer |
| Gary S. Gerlich | ... | sound editor |
| David Grannis | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Pieter Hubbard | ... | sound editor |
| Jack Keller | ... | recordist |
| Rick Kline | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Jimmy Ling | ... | sound editor |
| Donald O. Mitchell | ... | re-recording mixer |
| James Moriana | ... | foley artist (as Jim Moriana) |
| Themba Nyamweda | ... | sound assistant (as Temba Nyamweda) |
| Kevin O'Connell | ... | re-recording mixer |
| David Pearson | ... | boom operator |
| Bill Phillips | ... | supervising sound editor |
| John Phillips | ... | sound editor |
| Hal Sanders | ... | sound editor |
| Jeffrey Wilhoit | ... | foley artist |
Special Effects by
| David Harris | ... | special effects supervisor |
| Mervyn Loynes | ... | special effects technician |
| John Morris | ... | special effects supervisor: London unit |
| John Narkwell | ... | special effects technician |
| Peter Notley | ... | special effects technician |
| Gift Nyamandi | ... | special effects assistant |
| Kennedy Phiri | ... | special effects assistant |
| Roy Quinn | ... | special effects technician |
| Steve Sango | ... | special effects assistant |
| Dominic Tuohy | ... | special effects technician |
Stunts
| Marc Boyle | ... | stunt coordinator |
| Valentino Musetti | ... | stunts (as Val Musetti) |
| Mark Anthony Newman | ... | stunts (as Mark Newman) |
| Tip Tipping | ... | stunts |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Bob Bremner | ... | gaffer: London unit (as Bobby Bremner) |
| Richard Broom | ... | camera grip (as Richard Broome) |
| David Bryant | ... | focus puller |
| Dominique Chapuis | ... | additional photography |
| David Chiganze | ... | assistant grip |
| Wiseman Chiweshe | ... | electrician |
| Ernest Day | ... | additional photography (as Ernie Day) |
| Kevin Edland | ... | best boy |
| John Flemming | ... | camera grip |
| John Fletcher | ... | focus puller |
| Graham Hall | ... | clapper loader |
| Jamie Harcourt | ... | camera operator |
| Jean Harnois | ... | camera operator |
| John Haylen | ... | electrician |
| John Higgins | ... | gaffer |
| Gary Hutchings | ... | camera grip |
| David James | ... | still photographer |
| Martin Kenzie | ... | focus puller |
| Clive Mackey | ... | clapper loader |
| Cephas Mathimba | ... | electrician |
| Mark Moriarty | ... | camera assistant |
| Samson Mudzamiri | ... | electrician |
| Eamonn O'Keeffe | ... | focus puller |
| Mike Roberts | ... | camera operator (as Michael Roberts) |
| Bill Thornhill | ... | best boy |
| Philippe Vene | ... | focus puller (as Philip Vene) |
| Jean-Claude Vicquery | ... | camera operator |
| Nikki Williams | ... | camera assistant |
| David Worley | ... | camera operator |
| Tony Rowland | ... | dolly grip: UK (uncredited) |
| Jimmy Worley | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Edwin Angless | ... | casting assistant |
| Manuel Doro | ... | crowd casting |
| Barbara Harris | ... | voice casting |
| Wallis Nicita | ... | casting: USA |
| Caitlin Rhodes | ... | casting assistant |
| Simon Shumba | ... | crowd casting |
| Andrew Whaley | ... | casting assistant |
| Joanne Zaluski | ... | casting associate: USA |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Lesley Bingham | ... | dresser: Donald Sutherland's (as Leslie Bingham) |
| Elaine Dawson | ... | wardrobe mistress |
| Electra Garaba | ... | wardrobe assistant (as Elector Garabha) |
| Jane Howells | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| Virginia Mkiza | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| Germinal Rangel | ... | wardrobe supervisor |
| Allison Wyldeck | ... | wardrobe assistant |
Location Management
| Con Cremins | ... | location accountant |
| Paul Fisher | ... | location coordinator |
| Rory Kilalea | ... | location director |
| Murray Russell | ... | location: surveyor |
Music Department
| Bunny Andrews | ... | assistant music editor |
| Else Blangsted | ... | music editor |
| Ladysmith Black Mambazo | ... | song performer |
| Hugh Masekela | ... | featured score musician |
| John Richards | ... | music recordist |
| Tom Boyd | ... | musician: oboe soloist (uncredited) |
| Tom Brown | ... | music preparation (uncredited) |
| James Thatcher | ... | musician: French horn (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Many Barthod | ... | script supervisor (as Manny Barthod) |
| Ene Watts | ... | script supervisor: London unit |
Transportation Department
| Edwin Angless | ... | action vehicles |
| Paul Fisher | ... | transport coordinator |
| Colin Morris | ... | personal driver: Marlon Brando |
Additional Crew
| Max Brown | ... | production runner |
| Robert Conway | ... | legal advisor |
| Hilary Eggington | ... | producer/director: secretary |
| Brian Gibbs | ... | production accountant |
| Marianne Jacobs | ... | production coordinator |
| Alan Ladd Jr. | ... | presenter |
| Sondra Lee | ... | consultant: to the production |
| John Maloney | ... | personal security to Marlon Brando |
| Sam Mattingly | ... | special publicity |
| Janine Modder | ... | production coordinator (as Janine Lodge) |
| Tim Monich | ... | dialect coach |
| Lionel Ngakane | ... | technical advisor |
| Julia Overton | ... | production assistant |
| Murray Russell | ... | technical advisor |
| Clement Ruzengwe | ... | accountant: local |
| Alexandra Stone | ... | assistant to the producer |
| Ann Tasker | ... | publicist |
| Joan Washington | ... | dialogue consultant: London |
| Susan Weisenbacher | ... | catering manager |
Thanks
| Hannah Marie-Joseph | ... | dedicatee |
| Henri Marie-Joseph | ... | dedicatee |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1989) (United States) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1989) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1989) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- MGM Home Entertainment (1989) (West Germany) (VHS)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1989) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1989) (Norway) (theatrical)
- CBS/Fox (1990) (United States) (VHS)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (1991) (India) (theatrical)
- Fox Video (1992) (United States) (VHS)
- Carol Media Home (2008) (Germany) (DVD)
- WME Home Entertainment (2017) (Germany) (DVD)
- The Criterion Channel (2020) (United States) (tv) (digital)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Pinewood Studios (movie studio)
- Lee Lighting (grip and lighting equipment)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Ben du Toit (Donald Sutherland) is a schoolteacher who always has considered himself a man of caring and justice, at least on the individual level. When his gardener, Stanley's (Zakes Mokae's) son, Jonathan (Bekhithemba Mpofu), is brutally beaten up by the Police at a demonstration by black school children, he gradually begins to realize his own society is built on a pillar of injustice and exploitation. Written by Mattias Thuresson |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | One man has opened his eyes to the truth. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $9,000,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | With this movie, writer and director Euzhan Palcy became the first Black woman to direct a major Hollywood movie. See more » |
| Goofs | When the camera pulls away from the court house (Harare City Hall) a bus drives past displaying an advertisement for Balkan Bulgarian Airlines, which flew to Zimbabwe, but not to South Africa under apartheid during the 1970s. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Black Rain/Heavy Petting/In Country/A Dry White Season/Heart of Dixie (1989). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Unomatheba See more » |
| Quotes |
Ian McKenzie:
Justice and law, Mr. Du Toit, are often just... well they're, I suppose they can be described as distant cousins. And here in South Africa, well, they're simply not on speaking terms at all. See more » |