Because you want a book published,
you're going to rip the kids
from their schools...
their grandparents, their whole life.
Don't you even bother
to find out what I'd like to do?
We may hate the bastards that run this country,
but this is still our home.
Do you want me to just accept Steve's death,
what this government's doing,
is going to go on doing?
What do you want?
You forced the inquest. You're banned.
Are you so grand
you can change them alone?
I won't sit home bound and gagged
for five years and do nothing!
Where do we go?
We've got five children.
We couldn't take a penny out of here.
I know you.
You're willing to tear our lives apart
just to see "Donald Woods" on a book cover.
And you're using Steve's death as an excuse.
Bloody hell.
Jane, can I go in again?
Mary, go and get dry.
Could we talk about this?
I'm sorry I was so cruel.
No, you were right.
I want a book published.
I do.
But if Steve...
if Steve died for nothing...
if we let them just bury his name...
Who do you think you are, God?
No, but there's just no other writer
who knows Steve's story like I do.
It's just a fact.
There are seven of us.
Donald, you're 43 years old.
What will one book do?
Do you think they're going to let us walk out?
We could get killed even trying to escape
or thrown into prison
and still you wouldn't get your book printed.
The kids will be worried about us.
I'm not God...
but we know what this country's like now,
and we can't accept it,
and we can't wait for God
to come and change it.
We have to do what we can,
and this book is what I can do.
Morning.
Thanks.
It's for us!
Mommy, Daddy, it's a present.
Can we open it?
If it's addressed to you.
What's all this noise?
It's got a picture of Steve.
What is it, T-shirt?
Here, Mary.
I bet it fits.
Wendy...
is there a return address on there?
No, Dad.
He's becoming a legend.
Aah! Aah!
Mommy! Daddy!
What is it?
Get it off her!
My eyes!
Call Dr. James.
Yes.
Quick.
It's OK.
Morn, my hands are itching.
Aah!
It's all right. It's all right.
What is it?
Some kind of burn. I don't know.
Get it off. Get it off.
My hands are burning.
Duncan, go upstairs and rinse them!
Izandla baleka bhuti.
You heard what Evalina said. Now go!
Aah!
That was Don on the phone.
He says he has proof beyond doubt
that the security police sent those T-shirts.
How could they do this to her?
I think that book should be published.
Bruce!
God, you scared me.
I was expecting you the other way.
If I go there,
they'll know where I am
and who I'm with.
They didn't see me.
You ought to report them for neglect of duty.
You're cheerful. You've got good news?
Yeah. It's out of date,
but we doctored that.
It wouldn't get you out of Jo'burg.
In the sticks, it ought to work
as identification.
"Father David C. Curren."
Irishman.
How did you get it?
Father Kani lifted it.
He said he felt sure Father Curren would agree,
but for safety's sake,
he'd explain to him later.
"Black hair."
If the light wasn't too good,
I suppose it could work.
You sure those buggers aren't behind us?
Yeah. It's all right.
Good.
This looks like a logical place to get lost.
Let's look at the map.
Flying you to Botswana is out.
But we have to.
We can't get a plane
with the amount of fuel needed
without tipping our hand.
We're going to take you out
via Lesotho instead.
We think New Year's Eve is the best time.
Everybody's drunk.
You turn yourself into Father Curren
and get up here,
north of Queenstown.
Kani will meet you
and drive you toward St. Theresa's Mission.
That's a bunch of nuns on Lesotho's border.
Two priests... It's perfect.
Once you're there,
the border's only a river.
You can wade across it.
I'm a priest wading across the border?
You do it at night,
and once you're across,
I'll be here to drive you to Maseru
before the police know what's going on.
From there, you can fly out to Botswana.
The airline is run by a Canadian
with an Aussie
and two New Zealanders as pilots.
If I get out,
I'll regret giving you your biggest scoop.
I've had bigger scoops on an ice-cream cone.
Why do I have to go so far north
before I meet Father Kani?
Arms are arriving on roads near the border.
Don't worry about them.
Any car registered out of district
is automatically checked.
He's going there to get a local car.
He's a hell of a bloke, Kani.
For a black guy to do this...
I know the risk he's taking.
How do I get past Queenstown?
It's a long way.
You hitchhike, Father Curren.
You bloody hitchhike.
That way, if you do get caught,
you won't take Wendy and Kani down with you.
By 5:00, New Year's Eve,
all the white police will be off for parties.
You hitchhike to the rendezvous point.
It should be easy
if you don't leave too late.
What if someone phones me,
and I'm not there?
The plan's...
In actual fact,
New Year's Eve you've gone to bed quite drunk.
Nobody will question that.
The next morning, Wendy drives off to the beach,
only she really goes to her parents in Umtata.
If you make it,
you phone her the minute you are in Lesotho...
10:00 or whatever time you've arranged.
She takes the children north to the border
before they have time to pick her up.
If you don't make it,
and there's no phone call,
she turns right around
and goes straight back home.
So that she can't be accused
of being a party to it.
If I make it,
they're going to suspect your involvement.
Oh, probably.
But as a man of the cloth,
it's proof they'll be missing.
In my case,
I think they'll want it.
Can we stay up tonight?
Why don't you ask Morn?
Mary, come on!
Can we stay up on New Year's Eve?
We'll get undressed first.
Just wait and see.
Let's all get in the car first.
In you go, Charlie.
Get in?
Duncan, your ice cream's melting.
Charlie, don't lick me.
If you do get ready,
I've rented a film and some cartoons,
and you can watch till midnight.
Is Dad going to watch with us?
I thought you'd like to ask Alan and Greg.
So Dad will have to skip it.
You know his thoughts on your movie choices.
Daddy doesn't know what good movies are.
Yeah.
We're home.
We're home. We have ice cream.
Take off your jacket.
I saw Alice and Larry at the beach.
I must phone him.
Maybe he'd come over
and play chess with me next week.
Did you, uh, pick up the projector?
Damn. The kids wanted ice cream,
so I came home the other way.
We even talked about it.
I'll have to pick it up later.
Stupid.
Happy New Year.
Donald?
God, they're so predictable.
Gavin, it's my turn.
No, it's not.
Come on, Duncan.
Ahem.
No, no, no, Duncan.
I keep telling you all.
Now watch... watch this, Gavin, Mary.
You bend the back low on the table,
your hand flat.
If they see you and say one word...
I can't do that.
Where's Evalin? Is she in her room?
No. I sent her over the road
to get hamburger buns.
She wasn't too pleased.
Well, if I've got to pick up that damned projector
I might as well do it now.
Any chance of a lift to King William's Town?
I'm just dropping him.
Thanks.
No goodbyes, Father Curren. Off you go.
And take care of yourself.
Thank you for the ride, Mrs. Woods.
Wendy...
don't forget to pick up the projector.
The what?
The projector.
Oh, my God.
Thank God you reminded me.
I had completely forgotten.
I'll see you soon, eh?
The military, the police,
yes, of course, I take risks...
all the time.
But that's only unusual
if you think we're a land at peace.
You see, in a war, people take great risks
as a part of life.
We“...
we're at war.
You need a ride?
Dankie, Meneer.
Maar hoever gaan 'w'?
Ampter tot King William's Town.
This side of King William's Town is fine.
I'm going towards Queenstown.
Oh, don't mind him.
He just makes noise.
He doesn't do nothing.
I tell you, Father,
it's very hard to see you in those dark clothes.
I couldn't tell what you are at first.
I should stand under a light next time.
Maybe you could let me off in Stutterheim.
As long as you ride with me through King William's Town.
Those white kids will be drunk tonight.
Maybe they give me trouble, but with a white father...
Certainly when it's not New Year's Eve, it's a fine town.
I've met some good people from King William's Town.
Yes, so have I.
The findings of the court are as follows.
One... that the deceased, Bantu Steven Biko,
a black man, aged 30,
died on September 12th,
and the cause of death was brain injury,
which led to renal failure and other complications.
Two... that on the available evidence,
the death cannot be attributed to any act
or omission amounting to a criminal offense
on the part of any person.
Oh, oh, oh, oh.
Hey, hey, I'm a priest.
Get away from this truck.
Get off.
Get off, you stupid bastard.
I'll break your goddamn neck.
I'll have to say some penance for that outburst.
Oh, yes, sir, you're going to.
But you got me through King William's Town,
so I think God must be with us.
Oh, look at those red balloons!
Mind them bubbles, Evalina.
You're having champagne?
Look at that lady.
Twelve seconds to go.
Mum, can Daddy come sit in the other room?
No. He's upstairs asleep
where you should be in 15 minutes.
- Seven... - Seven...
- six... - Six...
- five... - Five...
- four... - Four...
- three... - Three...
- two... - Two...
- one... - One...
Happy New Year!
- Cheers. - Cheers.
There you are.
Happy New Year, Evalina.
Happy New Year.
♪ Should auld acquaintance be forgot ♪
♪ We'll take a cup of kindness yet ♪
In you go, Father.
But why? I was just...
The locals told us you were going to Queenstown.
We're covering that road.
If we don't run into trouble,
you'll get there in two hours.
Well, great. Bless you.
You're going to the mission?
That's right.
If it's not an emergency,
I'd spend the night in Queenstown.
I'm sure I can find a lift there.
You might find some black terrorists, too.
Here? In the Eastern Cape?
Of course.
Charlie, be quiet.
Shh.
Get in.
Move over, Father, will you?
Still want to go past Queenstown?
But why do you use a phrase
like "black is beautiful"?
Because black is commonly associated with negatives...
the black market,
the black sheep of the family,
anything which is supposed to be bad.
Then why do you use the word?
Why call yourselves black?
I mean, you people are more brown than black.
Why do you call yourselves white?
You people are more pink than white.
Precisely.
Ufunuk' blika ap' mfundis?
This is fine.
Nkoskakuku undincedile.
I expected you three hours ago.
Hurry up. Get in, man.
It will be light soon.
In actual fact, it does change you.
What's changed me is getting here.
When I wasn't shit-scared,
I was waiting to be.
Well, come on.
When do you have to make the call?
10:00. If I'm late, she'll go back.
You'll get ten years in jail if you're seen,
so get out.
Hayibo! I didn't come...
OK. There's Lesotho. I'll get across.
Go before we're seen.
Easy! Don't get me nervous.
Shit! The bag's split.
In actual fact,
it's turned out to be a balls-up, hasn't it?
You've done all right.
There must be some way across. Just go.
When you get desperate,
go to one of us. Use Steve's name.
Amandla!
If there is no more rain,
there'll be places to cross tonight.
I can't wait till tonight.
I've got to go now.
How far is the Telle Bridge?
Likude. Nine, ten miles.
You cannot cross there.
I have a false passport. Maybe I can.
Is there someone we trust who's got a car?
I trust me.
And I have a car.
You...
Master Editor Donald Woods...
escaping-
Ama-bhula azakunya!
The boers will shit themselves.
You're going to make it.
The boers will shit themselves.
Ha ha ha ha ha!
Kruger will shit himself.
Ha ha ha ha ha!
Vorster will shit himself.
Ha ha ha ha!
Botha will shit himself.
Ha ha ha!
Well, I got you here.
Where's the border?
It's down there.
This will help.
Thanks.
You must not lose one page.
Someday, when things have changed, I'll come back.
We'll have a beer together.
I'll wait for you.
It's locked.
Yes.
It should be open.
It's 7:00.
Well, not quite.
Jesus.
Oh. Sorry, Father.
Oh, that's all right.
What are you doing on foot, Father?
Well, a friend brought me here,
and anotheﬂs picking me up across the river.
I'm going to Maseru for 10:00 mass.
You'll be lucky.
The rain's ruined the roads there very bad.
Put your bag in the cab.
I'll give you a ride across.
Thank you.
It's very kind of you.
I'm Father Wo... Curren.
My name's Moses.
Moses.
Yes, of course, it would be, wouldn't it?
Say goodbye to Evalin.
But why?
To be polite.
Bye, Evalina.
Be good.
If that dog stays away from me today,
I may make a cake for you.
Thanks.
Gavin.
I've told you...
Why can't we take Charlie?
Because I say so.
Come on, boy.
So long, Evalina.
Bye-bye.
Like the Americans say,
"Have a nice day."
Hlamba.
Get out.
If I do make a cake,
I'll put marzipan on it
so you won't eat any of it.
You OK, Mum?
Yes, fine.
What sandwiches have we got?
Cheese and tomato.
Bye-bye, Evalina.
Bye-bye.
See you when we get back.
Evalina.
I can't find my bat.
You looked behind the television?
No.
Give Evalin a kiss
and tell Dillon to open the garage door.
Don't get sunburned.
Yes, Evalina.
Come, Charlie.
Charlie's staying here.
Tell Dillon to open the garage door.
Charlie, sit. Sit.
Dillon, you got to open the garage door!
The master's still sleeping.
He had too much to drink last night.
If there are any calls,
just take the number.
And he's not to be disturbed.
Evalin, don't be cross with me about Charlie.
He's just such a nuisance on the beach.
I can't read or do anything.
He's always gone before.
Well, I'd just like a day without him,
that's all.
I'm sure he'll be good.
Won't you, Charlie?
Goodbye, Evalin.
See you later.
Let me have it!
Come on!
Give it here. It's not yours.
Let me have it!
Come on!
Give it here!
No'.
Give it here!
Me muder en finders het die huis per motor...
Take the father here first, sir.
Hey, we are both in a hurry.
You're always in a hurry, Moses.
Fill in this form.
It takes a letter four days
to get from Queenstown to Maseru.
You got to spend so much time
sitting outside your gate.
The telex is working again, Jan.
Good.
According to Fenton,
there's more rain heading our way.
We've got to check our instructions, Moses.
The security police might be looking
for a certain Lesotho postal inspector.
That's what takes the mail so long.
Your security police got to read half of it first.
We know what's going on.
We know.
Father.
You're a brave man to drive with him.
Is this your bag, Father?
Yes.
It... It's just some clothes,
shaving things, and a Bible.
Yes, I thought I felt a book of some kind.
Bless you.
Hello, Moses.
Ja reg.
Hey, Moses! Moses!
Stop!
I won't be long.
There's been some trouble with the roads.
Here's a message for you.
Donald, the important thing
is not to accept their restrictions.
That's why those kids in Soweto
refusing to be taught in Afrikaans
are taking chains off their minds
that no one can ever put back.
I made it.
I learned it as a boy.
Daddy's been traveling all night.
But why are we going to Granny's, Mommy?
I haven't got my pajamas.
They're in the boat.
If he crosses safely,
he'll phone us there,
and we'll join him and fly to England.
What will happen to Charlie?
I've left a note for Evalin.
She'll take him to the Bricelands.
But what will happen to Evalina?
I don't know.
Daddy left her all the money he could find.
Niks me'?
Nee man.
Charlie, come on.
Hey. Hey.
Bless you, my son.
Wake up, you sleepy Aussie bastard.
Jesus Christ.
I'd given you up.
What happened?
It's all right, Moses.
Good luck, Father.
Hope you make it.
Shit. It's 8:30.
Yeah. Let's move.
It took me two hours coming down yesterday.
I really pushed this thing.
Now, where is that child's doll?
She'll never sleep tonight
if she doesn't find it, will she?
We're never going to make it.
We can't get stopped by the police.
Something very wrong here, Charlie.
It's 9:15.
I haven't gone this far
just to turn around and go back.
For God's sake, move them out of the way!
Please! Move them.
Come on! Soo! Soo! Soo!
Excuse me, sir.
Which is nearer, the British or American embassy?
We are a commonwealth country, Father.
It's the American embassy and the British high commission.
But which is nearer?
The British high commission is there on the right.
Thank you. Thanks!
Excuse me. I have to see the high commissioner immediately.
My name is Donald Woods.
I'm editor of the Daily Dispatch in South Africa.
There's a Father Donald Woods...
No, no, no. I'm not a father.
An editor to see the high commissioner.
Yes, sir.
The high commissioner is in London,
but the acting high commissioner will see you.
Thank you.
I had no idea you were a priest.
I'm not,
but I desperately need your phone.
Please.
We understood you were banned.
I was.
Is there a code?
No, no. Dial direct.
Would you care for a cup of tea?
Ha ha ha.
I've come to ask your government
for political asylum.
Our pleasure.
Hello?
Oh, Donald.
Yeah. That was good timing.
She's just arrived.
She's just pulled into the driveway, dear.
Wendy.
Donald, you haven't quarreled, have you, dear?
She's got all the children.
No. You better not say anything.
She's just coming.
Oh, darling!
Hi, Granny.
Dear'.
It's Donald.
Isn't that a coincidence?
Well, go on, Morn.
Answer it.
Hello, Donald?
Wendy, I'm...
I'm where I expected to be.
Come as quick as you can.
He's there.
Hello, Donald?
Yes.
Shall we still make for the Telle Bridge crossing?
Yes. From where you are, you should have good roads.
But just hurry, before...
Just hurry.
We're on our way.
I love you.
I'm a priest. You can't speak like that.
Just hurry.
All you kids go to the toilet.
Have you got biscuits, fruit?
Regina, come along quick.
I don't know what's happening, but help's needed.
I'll drive you, dear.
Thanks.
You'll have to overfly South African territory.
They demand all planes land in South Africa
before going on.
They can't stay here.
They'd never be safe
from the South African police.
Look.
We had hoped to fly to Botswana.
The sooner the better.
Two-and-a-half hours flying?
Would they force a landing?
They have no shortage of military planes.
Anyway, my wife and children
will be at the Telle Bridge in two hours.
We should meet...
In this rain? Impossible.
They'll have to stay in a hotel overnight.
We'll have them met at Telle Bridge.
Yiess'? W at gaan hier am'?
I can't see.
I'm just taking the children over
for a little holiday.
They all under 18?
Yes.
You can put their names on your form.
You picked good weather for a holiday.
They say the weather changes
every half hour.
By the time we cross, it might be fine.
That's for sure.
You've got my birthday wrong.
Never mind.
You haven't put down your husband's name.
James.
Middle initial?
Have a good holiday.
Thank you.
Come on, boys.
I wish they'd get the bloody signal straight.
They're trying to tell us something.
Got it.
Wonderful.
Don't leave anything in the car.
Here. I found this.
I wasn't prepared for rain.
Take this. It's not much.
You can't arrive in England with no money.
Oh, Mum.
We must hurry.
Write to us, my darling.
Bye, Mum.
Be careful, my dear.
We love you.
Goodbye, Grandpa.
See you soon, Granny.
It suits you, Janey.
Look after yourself, Granny.
God bless you.
Mummy, it's running down my neck.
Are you all right?
Yes, I'm fine.
Is that too heavy?
I'll manage.
Mummy...
Bruce!
" Daddy! " Daddy!
Hello!
Daddy!
I thought you'd never get here.
Daddy, are we going in the plane?
Welcome to exile.
I've got to go phone in that scoop now.
Make you a hero.
I'll pay you later.
Ha! What with?
An Australian news report has stated
that the banned editor of the Daily Dispatch,
Donald Woods, has escaped into Lesotho
by swimming the flooded Telle River by night.
His family had preceded him,
crossing into Maseru, the Lesotho capital...
This is a moment you'll want to remember.
So look happy!
Now get out of here.
Mr. Woods.
Donald.
Make sure my bag's safe.
Mr. Woods!
South Africa's told the Lesotho government
they refuse transit for the plane.
They'll force it down
if you fly anyway.
I think they're bluffing.
With the media attention, they'd look very bad.
They don't care about the press.
They've shown that.
Have we got a chance?
With clouds,
Ritchie's a clever pilot.
I'd say a chance,
but the longer you wait,
the longer they can plan something.
If Ritchie goes, we'll go.
Oh, shit.
Trouble.
Good afternoon.
Mrs. Woods, Mr. Woods...
we arranged to get United Nations passports for you.
The prime minister has decided I should accompany you.
We must get aboard at once.
Good luck.
Bye-bye, Bruce. Take care.
Send us a postcard!
We hope these passports and my being here
might make the South Africans hesitate,
but we're not sure.
It's the best we can offer.
Strapped in?
A friend of Steve Biko's
is a friend of ours.
How long before we're...
How long before we're over South African territory?
About 30 seconds.
I won't be going where they expect,
but they'll expect that, too.
Roger, hang on.
They've picked up the flight.
They're demanding to know who's aboard.
McElrea thinks we must give some answer.
Tell them one Lesotho official
and seven holders of United Nations passports.
Mac...
Have you heard the news?
Yes. Remember you're on the telephone.
I know. But tell me,
what are your sources telling you?
The schoolchildren in Soweto are on strike...
Hmm.
Citing something called black consciousness.
They have refused to study Afrikaans,
refused to be trained
simply as servants to the system.
The name Biko...
has been uttered here and there.
Beginning of the end, Donald.
Change the way people think,
and things will never be the same.
What's the government's reaction?
Tense. Troops have been sent in
to restore order.
Hell.
They're kids.
They may shout a bit, break a few windows,
but...
Now stop!
Stop right there!
This is an illegal gathering.
I'm giving you three minutes to disperse.
Go home!
I'm warning you!
Sergeant.
Get ready to fire!
I'm warning you.
I'm warning you!
Sergeant!
Fire!
But you, the black child,
smart or dumb,
you are born into this,
and smart or dumb...
you'll die in it.
J Who cry freedom f or South Africa... J J