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Invictus (2009) 7.3
Ratings:
7.3/10 from 79,647 users
Metascore: 74/100
Reviews: 234 user | 286 critic | 34 from Metacritic.com Nelson Mandela, in his first term as the South African President, initiates a unique venture to unite the apartheid-torn land: enlist the national rugby team on a mission to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Director:Clint Eastwood |
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Morgan Freeman | ... | ||
| Matt Damon | ... |
Francois Pienaar
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Tony Kgoroge | ... | |
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Patrick Mofokeng | ... | |
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Matt Stern | ... | |
| Julian Lewis Jones | ... | ||
| Adjoa Andoh | ... | ||
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Marguerite Wheatley | ... | |
| Leleti Khumalo | ... | ||
| Patrick Lyster | ... | ||
| Penny Downie | ... | ||
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Sibongile Nojila | ... | |
| Bonnie Henna | ... | ||
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Shakes Myeko | ... | |
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Louis Minnaar | ... |
Springbok Coach
(as Louis Minaar)
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team 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 rugby team as they make their historic run to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship match. Written by alfiehitchie
Taglines:
He was a prisoner who became a president. To unite his country, he asked one man to do the impossible. See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
11 December 2009 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Human Factor See more »Box Office
Budget:
$60,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
£1,068,388 (UK) (5 February 2010)Gross:
$37,479,778 (USA) (19 March 2010)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
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High School Boy: [seeing passing motorcade] Who is it, sir?
High School Coach: It's the terrorist Mandela, they let him out. Remember this day boys, this is the day our country went to the dogs.
See more »
(2001)
Written by Reuben Khemese
Performed by Soweto String Quartet
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Nelson Mandela's favourite band, the Soweto String Quartet, was hired to work on the film. See more »Goofs
In the game against England, it states "Try scored by number 13 Ben Clarke." Ben Clarke was a Flanker and would have worn 6 or 8. See more »Quotes
[first lines]High School Boy: [seeing passing motorcade] Who is it, sir?
High School Coach: It's the terrorist Mandela, they let him out. Remember this day boys, this is the day our country went to the dogs.
See more »
Crazy Credits
The 1994 Warner Brothers logo is used, in keeping with the time period of the film. See more »Soundtracks
"Victory"(2001)
Written by Reuben Khemese
Performed by Soweto String Quartet
See more »
As a South African who saw this film on Friday morning, I can tell you you the entertaining, inspiring and enjoyable "Invictus" exceeded all my expectations.
It really is a true story of epic proportions yet it's told with an intimate feel, and it is at least 98% accurate to the events of the time. Clint gets all the big details and so many of the little details right, but he never goes over the top. He directs with minimum fuss and achieves maximum effect, just letting the powerful story unfold without getting in its way.
I watched the 1995 Rugby World Cup and saw Madiba come out in the Springbok jersey. It was a wondrous sight. And when Joel Stransky slotted that drop kick over in the dying minutes and the Boks won, I wept and cheered along with everyone else. After the match millions of South African - of all races - celebrated. It was an amazing time. It was the birth of the "Rainbow Nation". Nelson Mandela is the greatest and most beloved of all South Africans. The man is a living legend, but so human and real. When he was President he brought hope to all South Africans, white and black. We, in my country, will never stop loving this incredible man. Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman did South Africa and our beloved Madiba proud. Francois Pienaar is also an amazing South African, an intelligent, big-hearted rugby played who always led by example, and Matt Damon's performance as him was superb. I was glued to the screen for every second of the film's running time (I didn't even move from my seat until the final credit rolled and the house lights came on), and I was moved to tears on several occasions. The final scene was especially touching.
Freeman's performance was magical and I can see him getting as Oscar nomination. If you think his Mandela is too cool to be true, think again. Mandela really is this cool. A brave and intelligent man whose courage and strength of character should serve as an example to people all over the world. After being unjustly imprisoned for nearly 30 years by a cruel and repressive regime, he emerged to run a country and teach its people the meaning of forgiveness and reconciliation.
I thoroughly recommend the authentically detailed, historically accurate "Invictus" to film lovers, Eastwood fans, Nelson Mandela fans and sports fans everywhere in the world. South Africans would be crazy to miss this excellent film, but it deserves to be a hit all over the globe. Let's hope it is.
Viva Clint Eastwood, viva Morgan Freeman, viva Madiba.
PS. I'm a huge fan of Clint Eastwood as both an actor and a director.
Of the films Eastwood has directed, my favorites, in no particular order, are "Unforgiven", "Million Dollar Baby", "Gran Torino", "The Outlaw Josey Wales", "Letters From Iwo Jima", "The Bridges of Madison County","Bird" and "Invictus". Yes, it's really that good. "Invictus" is another winner from Clint. He just seems to get better with age. What a creative roll he is currently on.
PPS. "Invictus" is one of the best sporting movies I have ever seen. But it's also about more than sport.