12:12pm Friday 5th February 2010
By Damon Smith
ON February 11, 1990, when Nelson Mandela walked free from Robben Island, he discovered a country divided by apartheid.
His release lit the touch paper on civil unrest as he worked together with President de Klerk to end apartheid and begin the difficult healing process.
Clint Eastwood’s majestic new film chronicles this volatile period in South Africa’s history, and the true story of President Mandela’s dogged quest to reunite his fractured country through the game of rugby.
President Mandela (Morgan Freeman) despairs at the divisions in his country, not least on the rugby field, as he discovers that only white South Africans cheer on the Springboks.
With one year until his nation hosts the prestigious Rugby World Cup, Mandela attempts to heal the rift and inspire captain Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon) and his men to victory.
Mandela’s family and political allies, including his loyal aide Brenda Mazibuko (Adjoa Andoh), advise him against this course of action, believing that social concerns are much more pressing than an international sports tournament.
The President believes that with the eyes of the world on his country, he can engineer lasting change and provide the children of South Africa with a glorious future, but first he must convince Pienaar and the players to follow his lead.
Invictus elegantly sidesteps the pitfalls of the sports genre, adhering to the facts and thereby eschewing sentimentality.
Eastwood’s film celebrates the titanic efforts of Mandela and Pienaar on and off the pitch, relying on magnificent performances from the leads to embody these charismatic figures.
Freeman crafts his own interpretation of the President, full of gravitas and self-assurance, and Damon bulks up with a convincing accent as the embattled captain, as their characters risk everything to bring their neighbours together under one flag.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thisisdorset.net