Lost in the Stars (1974 film)

Lost in the Stars is a 1974 American film adaptation of the 1949 Broadway musical of the same name, which was itself based on Alan Paton's 1948 novel, Cry, the Beloved Country. The film tells the story of Stephen Kumalo, a Black Anglican priest from rural South Africa who travels to Johannesburg in search of his son, Absalom. He discovers Absalom has been arrested for the murder of a white man, Arthur Jarvis, a vocal advocate for racial equality.

The film explores themes of racial injustice, forgiveness, and reconciliation in apartheid-era South Africa. While the Broadway musical features a score by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson, the 1974 film adaptation features a primarily orchestral score with limited singing, differing significantly in tone and structure from its stage predecessor. Brock Peters stars as Stephen Kumalo, and Melba Moore plays Irina.

The film received mixed reviews upon its release and is not as widely known as the original novel or the Broadway musical. Its portrayal of complex racial dynamics within the context of apartheid is considered by some critics to be somewhat simplified compared to Paton's original work, and the lack of prominent musical numbers compared to the stage version disappointed some viewers. Despite these criticisms, the film offers a visual representation of the novel's powerful narrative and contributes to the discourse on racial inequality.