PodBill Just what I expected

Mjeteconer Just perfect...

Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

lou-242 The story of perhaps one of the most unlikely outcomes in my lifetime - Nelson Mandela, a black man jailed for "terrorism" in ultra racist Apartheid-era South Africa, becomes its president. This movie is really pretty good, but for the real-world version of this significant event, do read John Carlin's "Playing the Enemy" to see how even more unlikely and miraculous was this turn of events. The "People who liked this also liked..." section of this IMDb review should include "The Color of Freedom" (2007)..."the true story of a white South African racist whose life was profoundly altered by the black prisoner he guarded for twenty years. The prisoner's name was Nelson Mandela." With Joseph Fiennes as the prison guard and Dennis Haysbert as Nelson Mandela.

David Silbergeld The movie takes on the challenge of the complex story of the role of rugby in unifying the new, post-apartheid South Africa, and is interesting overall. It fails, however, to approach the potential of the actual story. The production comes across as a collection of snippets thrown together more than a cohesive story. Furthermore, the progression of popular black South African emotions towards the team, from hatred to approval and adoration, is poorly developed - and as a result seems somewhat false. This movie comes across as more of a feel good movie about post-apartheid unification in South Africa than the more thoughtful analysis of how this sport was used as a symbol/tool for unification in a nation on the brink of civil war due to a very recent and complex history of racial separation/terror.

l_rawjalaurence The sporting sequences in Clint Eastwood's film are so-so; despite the guttural grunts on the soundtrack, it's clear the actors will never be successful rugby players. The commentary on the game(s) is replete with expressions that would not be used in rugby-playing countries; this is inevitable, perhaps, when the film is aimed at mass audiences, the majority of whom are not au fait with the game's rules.Yet such shortcomings should not detract from a highly uplifting film that shows how Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) not only managed to unify the country during that magical year of 1995, but preached a message of hope and forgiveness that everyone could understand. Director Clint Eastwood and screenwriter Anthony Peckham are very good at depicting South Africa in the immediate aftermath of Mandela's release, when the whites and blacks had to try to get used to living as equals. This is well illustrated in the subplot involving the security guards, led by Jason (Tony Kgoroge), with white subordinates who up until a few years previously had been arresting their black counterparts. With their sharp suits and stony expressions, the white guards, led by Hendrick (Matt Stern) look especially fearsome.Mandela's way of reconciling the two races was simple; not just to supplant one regime with another, but to try and reconcile everyone. Hence his insistence on preserving the Springbok name and colors for the rugby team. The sequence where he enters a meeting and overturns a majority black vote to ban the name is especially affecting; Mandela speaks slowly and in measured tones, without trying to antagonize anyone.The central relationship between Mandela and South African rugby captain Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon) has been cleverly handled. While Pienaar wants to adapt to the new South Africa, it's clear he is not sure how to do so, until Mandela invites him to afternoon tea. In this oh-so-tranquil of surroundings Mandela outlines his vision and the means to accomplish it, not by imposing his will on anyone but encouraging consensus. It is a lesson well learned; in the World Cup Final when South Africa are trailing the All Blacks, Pienaar calls his team together into a huddle and reminds them of why they are playing the game, not just for themselves but the entire nation.The title INVICTUS comes from a poem by the nineteenth century British writer W. H. Henley, emphasizing the importance of listening to the gods but remaining "the captain of one's soul." This is a lesson both Mandela and Pienaar are well aware of, as together they lead their country into a new era of national unity.

Seyburu Figured it was time I got around to watching this movie, considering how it is currently the Rugby World Cup (although the events that have just happened are slightly different to those in this movie ha ha.) This movie features some great performances by both Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman, they are definitely the highlight of the movie. I think this movie highlights an essential part of the Apartheid conflict, and the struggle to return to normality after freeing Mandela. I also really enjoyed the music in this movie, I felt it appropriately added to the tone where necessary. I felt that Clint Eastwood's direction wasn't anything to run home about, it helps to develop the story where necessary but mostly goes unnoticed. This movie may not be very accessible for those who don't understand rugby, but if you are willing to ignore that, I would consider this to be a enjoyable, uplifting movie, with some great performances.