Watch Lost in the Stars

Lost in the Stars is a musical drama film from 1974 directed by Daniel Mann, adapted from a novel by Alan Paton. The movie stars Brock Peters as Stephen Kumalo, a South African pastor who travels from his rural village to Johannesburg in search of his son, who has been accused of murdering a white man. Along the way, he confronts the harsh realities of apartheid and the racial tensions that surround him, while also trying to reconcile with his son and come to terms with his own faith.

The story takes place in the 1940s, at a time when South Africa was still deeply divided by apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination that enforced strict racial boundaries and denied black South Africans basic human rights. The film explores this complex and charged environment through the eyes of Kumalo, a humble and devoted pastor who has lived his entire life in the village of Ndotsheni, tending to his flock and trying to instill in them a sense of hope and dignity.

When Kumalo learns that his son Absalom (Clifton Davis) has been accused of murdering a white man in Johannesburg, he sets out to find him and bring him home. Along the way, he meets James Jarvis (Raymond St. Jacques), the father of the slain man, who is also searching for answers and seeking a way to bridge the gap between their two communities. Jarvis is a wealthy and privileged white man who has never had to confront the ugliness of apartheid or the struggles of the black South Africans, and his encounter with Kumalo opens up a new world for him.

As Kumalo and Jarvis try to make sense of the tragedy that has befallen them, they are also forced to confront the wider issues of apartheid, racism, and inequality that pervade their world. Kumalo's journey takes him from the dusty roads of his village to the crowded streets of Johannesburg, where he sees firsthand the squalor and poverty that many black South Africans are forced to endure. He also witnesses the brutality of the police and the harshness of the justice system, which is stacked against black people.

The film is infused with music, which adds a layer of emotional resonance to the story. Many of the songs are based on traditional African hymns and spirituals, and they reflect the beauty and resilience of the black South African culture. The music also highlights the struggle of the characters to find meaning and faith in a world that seems designed to crush their spirit.

The performances in Lost in the Stars are uniformly excellent. Brock Peters gives a masterful portrayal of Kumalo, conveying the pastor's unshakeable faith and compassionate heart, as well as his growing disillusionment with the world around him. Raymond St. Jacques is equally compelling as Jarvis, transforming the character from a narrow-minded and privileged white man into a more enlightened and empathetic figure.

Melba Moore, who plays Kumalo's sister-in-law, also delivers a standout performance, imbuing the character with a sense of defiant hope and resilience in the face of adversity. Her rendition of "Trouble in Mind" is one of the film's most powerful moments, capturing the pain and despair of the black South African experience.

Overall, Lost in the Stars is a moving and thought-provoking film that tackles complex and difficult issues with honesty and sensitivity. It is a testament to the resilience and dignity of the people who lived through apartheid, and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality around the world. Whether you are a lover of music, drama, or historical films, Lost in the Stars is definitely worth a watch.

Lost in the Stars is a 1974 musical with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.