Where to Watch A World Apart (1988) in the US

What it's about

1963. Thirteen year old Molly Roth, the eldest of three offspring of Gus and Diana Roth, lives a carefree life as part of the affluent white minority in South Africa. Race is a non-issue for her as although, under apartheid, the Roths largely exist among other white people like them, she feels equally comfortable around the black people in her life, such as their servants and her parents' black friends. Beyond knowing that they are busy in their work, Molly is unaware of the full extent of what her parents do, Gus a leading member of the South African Communist Party and Ruth an anti-apartheid journalist who also secretly works for the underground in support of the outlawed African National Congress. Shortly after Gus quietly escapes the country to evade probable arrest by the government - Molly believing it just a short work related trip - Molly's carefree life starts to unravel when Diana is detained for ninety days under a new law that allows such detention without ever even being charged with a criminal offense. The goal of Diana's interrogators, led by Inspector Muller, is to get her to divulge details especially of the underground, most specifically proverbial "names". Beyond missing her mother, Molly begins to resent the anti-apartheid work which has directly and indirectly impacted her life in a negative way, she wanting a mother, not an activist-mother. As the situation with Diana evolves, which includes someone needing to act as caregivers to Molly and her younger sisters while Diana is in detention, Molly gets a broader perspective of her situation under apartheid as she is able to see more of life just outside her protected white enclave, and as she is made aware of what Diana is trying to achieve for society in her work.

Cast and crew

Director

Chris Menges

Writer

Shawn Slovo

Starring

Barbara Hershey, David Suchet, Jodhi May

Details

Release date

Jun 17, 1988

Language

English, Swahili, Afrikaans, Spanish

Country

United Kingdom, Zimbabwe

Box office

$2,326,860

Awards

Won 1 BAFTA Award7 wins & 12 nominations total

Where to Watch A World Apart (1988) in the US — common questions

Where to watch A World Apart in the United States?

A World Apart is available to rent in the United States. Rent the movie on Fandango at Home.

Can I stream A World Apart or do I have to rent it in the United States?

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Can I watch A World Apart for free in the United States?

We have not confirmed a free option for A World Apart in the United States.