Out of Africa

PG

Released Dec 18, 1985

2 hr. 40 min.

Romance

Biography

Drama

List

63%

89 Reviews

Tomatometer

82%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Initially set on being a dairy farmer, the aristocratic Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep) travels to Africa to join her husband, Bror (Klaus Maria Brandauer), who instead spends their money on a coffee plantation. After discovering Bror is unfaithful, Karen develops feelings for hunter Denys (Robert Redford), but realizes he prefers a simplistic lifestyle compared to her upper class background. The two continue on until a series of events force Karen to choose between her love and personal growth.

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Critics Consensus

Though lensed with stunning cinematography and featuring a pair of winning performances from Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, Out of Africa suffers from excessive length and glacial pacing.

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Bruce R

Yes, it's beautiful. Yes, Streep is outstanding. No, it is not a great film or a "must watch". The deep (supposedly romantic) conversation between Karen & Denys was just too dense to make the scenery totally worthwhile.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/08/24

Full Review

Christopher Peter H

I watched this movie when I was 16 and I liked it a lot. After watching it again at the age of 54, I am slightly a bit critical of it. I found it was about 30 minutes too long. It was drawn out too much. The strengths of the film has to be the beautiful cinematography, the beautiful score, the great acting performance by Streep and the amazing chemistry between Redford and Streep. All in all it's a great move with some flaws.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/06/24

Full Review

Mona C

A must-see! Beautiful scenery, gorgeous and sweeping soundtrack, and a story that touches my heart makes this a favorite of mine that is certainly in my top five. Meryl Streep is outstanding in the role of Karen, and her portrayal of Blixen as an independent woman is very special. Sensitively portrayed.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/05/24

Full Review

John L

Great movie. One of my favorites.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/24

Full Review

Laurel Z

One of the best films, acting and writing I have ever had the pleasure to see. It's in my movie "vault." Stunning!!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/03/24

Full Review

Jerod S

Streep and Redford anchor the classic where Denmark woman travels to Nairobi to marry someone she doesn't know. A tad on the long side, it is beautiful film (especially for the 80s) and well told.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/29/23

Full Review

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Sydney Pollack

Director

Meryl Streep

Karen Christence Dinesen Blixen-Finecke

Robert Redford

Denys George Finch Hatton

Klaus Maria Brandauer

Bror Blixen

Michael Kitchen

Berkeley Cole

Malick Bowens

Farah

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Out of Africa: Official Clip - He Was Not Mine

1:53

Out of Africa: Official Clip - All Gone

2:55

Out of Africa: Official Clip - A Glimpse of the World Through God's Eye

3:00

Out of Africa: Official Clip - You Do Like to Change Things

3:00

Out of Africa: Official Clip - Karen Takes the Shot

3:00

Out of Africa: Official Clip - Lion Attack

2:38

Out of Africa: Official Clip - Shampoo By the River

1:07

Out of Africa: Official Clip - Karen's New Home

1:32

Out of Africa: Official Clip - Karen Says Goodbye

2:47

Out of Africa: Official Clip - Shoot Her!

1:29

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Mike McGrady

Newsday

Once again, Streep adds a third dimension to a two-dimensional medium; once again she brings humanity and intelligence to a remarkable portrait that must be added to what has become a gallery of such portraits.

Rated: 3.5/4

May 25, 2023

Full Review

Rick Lyman

Philadelphia Inquirer

Sydney Pollack's glorious and stirring Out of Africa is a big-screen epic in the very best sense.

Rated: 4/4

Jan 13, 2021

Full Review

David Denby

New York Magazine/Vulture

The beauty of Out of Africa, From the very opening shots, is rhapsodic and illustrative rather than dramatic. This large-scale adaptation of Isak Dinesen's marvelous memoir never catches fire.

Jan 13, 2021

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

There are many who consider Out of Africa a weak Best Picture Oscar winner, but I vehemently disagree.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 10, 2023

Full Review

Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

As far as romance goes, Out of Africa runs the full gamut of archetypal themes. While it often induces a yawn, it is gorgeous to look at.

Jun 27, 2023

Full Review

James Wegg

JWR

There’s nothing like ‘a story told well’

Rated: 3/5

May 5, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

Initially set on being a dairy farmer, the aristocratic Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep) travels to Africa to join her husband, Bror (Klaus Maria Brandauer), who instead spends their money on a coffee plantation. After discovering Bror is unfaithful, Karen develops feelings for hunter Denys (Robert Redford), but realizes he prefers a simplistic lifestyle compared to her upper class background. The two continue on until a series of events force Karen to choose between her love and personal growth.

Director: Sydney Pollack
Executive Producer: Kim Jorgensen
Screenwriter: Kurt Luedtke
Distributor: Universal Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 18, 1985, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $83.1M
Sound Mix: Surround, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track

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