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Duma Reviews

2005 Certificate U
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 4726 members

When 10-old Xan and his father Peter come across an orphaned cheetah cub, they name their new friend "Duma," the Swahili name for cheetah, and he quickly becomes a member of the family. But, when Duma is almost fully grown, to Xan's dismay, his father tells him that it's time to take his friend to his real home before he grows .. Read more

Starring Alex Michaeletos, Campbell Scott, Mary Makhatho, Nthabiseng Kenoshi
Director Carroll Ballard
Genres Family

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  • Critics' reviews (4) of Duma

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  • Duma is the name white South African youngster Xan (Alexander Michaletos) gives to an abandoned cheetah cub he and his... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
  • It will bring a lump to the throat of any animal fan

    • Time Out
  • It will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy

    • BBC Films Online
  • Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Duma

    View all
  • 32 out of 32 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Brilliant, captivating film for all the family. Superb photography

    Duma (the Swahili word for Cheetah) tells the story of an unbreakable friendship bond between a young boy called Xan and a cheetah called Duma. Set in the amazing landscape of South Africa, the boy and his dad befriend an orphaned cheetah cub. As the film unfolds, through many amusing as well as poignant scenes, Xan eventually has to face the true test of love when he has to cross the plains of South Africa to return Duma to his true homeland. A fanastic film, with stunning photography and powerful acting, it's a must for all ages to see!

      • A customer from Surrey, England
  • 11 out of 18 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    family favourite

    This is a great family film reminded me of the old classic 'Born Free' if you enjoyed that then you'll enjoy this.

    Much enjoyed by all the family a great weepy!

      • loopylambchop from essex
  • 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    dumb or duma

    Refreshingly refreshing. Fed on a diet of brainless action movies and over precious indie films it is good to watch a wholesome enjoyable movie that the whole family can appreciate. The whole cast are great and the young boy has a great future. Word of warning though, the cheetah is unbearably cute and you may find your young ones enquiring about where they could get one....Hope youve got a good reason ready.... Very good picture......

      • Mr Bosch from Scotland
  • Most recent members' reviews (2) of Duma

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  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Well worth a look

    A fine 'old-fashioned' family film. A wilderness survival and wildlife tale that is gentle in pace and in its treatment of family, friendship and death. Our family of Mum, Dad, 10yr-old and 7yr-old enjoyed it.

      • A customer from Surrey, England
  • 32 out of 32 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Brilliant, captivating film for all the family. Superb photography

    Duma (the Swahili word for Cheetah) tells the story of an unbreakable friendship bond between a young boy called Xan and a cheetah called Duma. Set in the amazing landscape of South Africa, the boy and his dad befriend an orphaned cheetah cub. As the film unfolds, through many amusing as well as poignant scenes, Xan eventually has to face the true test of love when he has to cross the plains of South Africa to return Duma to his true homeland. A fanastic film, with stunning photography and powerful acting, it's a must for all ages to see!

      • A customer from Surrey, England
  • 32 out of 32 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Brilliant, captivating film for all the family. Superb photography

    Duma (the Swahili word for Cheetah) tells the story of an unbreakable friendship bond between a young boy called Xan and a cheetah called Duma. Set in the amazing landscape of South Africa, the boy and his dad befriend an orphaned cheetah cub. As the film unfolds, through many amusing as well as poignant scenes, Xan eventually has to face the true test of love when he has to cross the plains of South Africa to return Duma to his true homeland. A fanastic film, with stunning photography and powerful acting, it's a must for all ages to see!

      • A customer from Surrey, England
  • 11 out of 18 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    family favourite

    This is a great family film reminded me of the old classic 'Born Free' if you enjoyed that then you'll enjoy this.

    Much enjoyed by all the family a great weepy!

      • loopylambchop from essex
  • 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    dumb or duma

    Refreshingly refreshing. Fed on a diet of brainless action movies and over precious indie films it is good to watch a wholesome enjoyable movie that the whole family can appreciate. The whole cast are great and the young boy has a great future. Word of warning though, the cheetah is unbearably cute and you may find your young ones enquiring about where they could get one....Hope youve got a good reason ready.... Very good picture......

      • Mr Bosch from Scotland
  • 3 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Worth a Watch

    A long film so if you have children that are easily bored then this isn't for them. I thought that this was an animation looking at the picture but it is not.

      • A customer from Loughborough
  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Great South African Movie

    Any one that knows anything about South Africa/Africa will love this. My husband is African and my son and I English, we all loved it.

    It gives a taster of history and way of life. Wildlife scenes are great.

    Have your tissues ready!

      • prozesky from Hampshire
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Well worth a look

    A fine 'old-fashioned' family film. A wilderness survival and wildlife tale that is gentle in pace and in its treatment of family, friendship and death. Our family of Mum, Dad, 10yr-old and 7yr-old enjoyed it.

      • A customer from Surrey, England
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Cuddly cat

    We all enjoyed this film, great characters made it watchable to the end!

      • A customer from Loughborough
  • Rated - 4 stars

    Wonderful, captivating family movie!!

    Very good i love this type of film, and if your an animal lover you will too. It follows the adventures of a boy Xan and his pet cheetah which he adopts as a baby by nearly running over with his father accidently.

    This has some breathtaking photography of South Africa and is a must for all ages.

      • DAMON VAZQUEZ from Berkshire
  • Rated - 4 stars

    good family film

    a good all round family film would recomend to all ages

      • A customer from england
  • Rated - 3 stars

    Super Weepy

    A Super family film with excellent scenery, storyline, superb acting and a real weepy to boot.

      • A customer from Millbrook, Bedfordshire
  • Critics' reviews (4)

  • Duma is the name white South African youngster Xan (Alexander Michaletos) gives to an abandoned cheetah cub he and his... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
  • It will bring a lump to the throat of any animal fan

    • Time Out
  • It will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy

    • BBC Films Online
  • Duma is the cats whiskas

    • Daily Mirror

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    • When 10-old Xan and his father Peter come across an orphaned cheetah cub, they name their new friend "Duma," the Swahili name for cheetah, and he quickly becomes a member of the family. But, when ...

Rating breakdown

4,726 Member ratings
  • 100
380
  • 90
355
  • 80
602
  • 70
727
  • 60
985
  • 50
637
  • 40
436
  • 30
299
  • 20
207
  • 10
98

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