Official Movie Website Theatrical Release 12/04/09 (Limited) Home Video Not Available MPAA Rating Rated PG-13 for brief strong language Running Time 132 minutes Genre Drama, Sports Director Clint Eastwood Writer Anthony Peckham Cast Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon Studio Warner Bros. |
INVICTUS (2009)
SYNOPSIS
The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson
Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa’
s rugby team, Francois Pienaar, to help unite their
country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his
nation remains racially and economically divided in the
wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people
together through the universal language of sport,
Mandela rallies South Africa’s underdog rugby team as
they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup
Championship match. --© Warner Bros
The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson
Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa’
s rugby team, Francois Pienaar, to help unite their
country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his
nation remains racially and economically divided in the
wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people
together through the universal language of sport,
Mandela rallies South Africa’s underdog rugby team as
they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup
Championship match. --© Warner Bros
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
| ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY |
Director Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby) unveils yet another inspiring true account of unmatchable
determination; Invictus, in Latin meaning invincible, is the true story of how the remarkable Nelson
Mandela, played by Morgan Freeman (The Bucket List, Shawshank Redemption ), broke down racial lines
using his country’s rugby team, the South African Springbok. The movie starts off with Mandela’s release
from a 27 year stint in prison for advocating black African rights and then briefly describes his election to
President of South Africa. After attending a Springbok rugby game, he realizes the key to unite his
country, both black and white, is their love for rugby. It is customary that the black Africans cheer and
support whatever team is not the Springboks; however, Mandela convinces them to begin to support the
Springboks and to join him in the pursuit of peace among his people. Next, Mandela needs someone on
the team to help him achieve this goal, a leader such as a captain. This leader is the team’s captain,
Francois Pienaar played by Matt Damon (The Bourne Trio, The Departed). Now this is when the movie
tends to go south. First, there are not really any introductions of the men on the rugby team; with the
exception of one scene where they go to the slums to play rugby with some black African kids. The
audience is never able to connect with the team and Eastwood does not show the true struggle these
men must have went through. Overall, the acting is very good and Morgan Freeman was born for the role
Mandela. This story is an inspiring story of the determination of two men who want to bring their country
together and definitely should be told; however, the emphasis needs to be more about Mandela and
Pienaars struggle to bring peace to South African and not so much about a rugby team that the audience
is unable to connect with.
determination; Invictus, in Latin meaning invincible, is the true story of how the remarkable Nelson
Mandela, played by Morgan Freeman (The Bucket List, Shawshank Redemption ), broke down racial lines
using his country’s rugby team, the South African Springbok. The movie starts off with Mandela’s release
from a 27 year stint in prison for advocating black African rights and then briefly describes his election to
President of South Africa. After attending a Springbok rugby game, he realizes the key to unite his
country, both black and white, is their love for rugby. It is customary that the black Africans cheer and
support whatever team is not the Springboks; however, Mandela convinces them to begin to support the
Springboks and to join him in the pursuit of peace among his people. Next, Mandela needs someone on
the team to help him achieve this goal, a leader such as a captain. This leader is the team’s captain,
Francois Pienaar played by Matt Damon (The Bourne Trio, The Departed). Now this is when the movie
tends to go south. First, there are not really any introductions of the men on the rugby team; with the
exception of one scene where they go to the slums to play rugby with some black African kids. The
audience is never able to connect with the team and Eastwood does not show the true struggle these
men must have went through. Overall, the acting is very good and Morgan Freeman was born for the role
Mandela. This story is an inspiring story of the determination of two men who want to bring their country
together and definitely should be told; however, the emphasis needs to be more about Mandela and
Pienaars struggle to bring peace to South African and not so much about a rugby team that the audience
is unable to connect with.
By David Ladd