Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013)

A chronicle of Nelson Mandela's life journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.

Director:

Justin Chadwick

Writers:

William Nicholson (screenplay), Nelson Mandela (autobiography)

Stars:

Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Terry Pheto

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 14 wins & 34 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Idris Elba	...	Nelson Mandela
Naomie Harris	...	Winnie Madikizela
Tony Kgoroge	...	Walter Sisulu
Riaad Moosa	...	Ahmed Kathrada
Zolani Mkiva	...	Raymond Mhlaba
Simo Mogwaza	...	Andrew Mlangeni
Fana Mokoena	...	Govan Mbeki
Thapelo Mokoena	...	Elias Motsoaledi
Jamie Bartlett	...	James Gregory
Deon Lotz	...	Kobie Coetzee
Terry Pheto	...	Evelyn Mase
Zikhona Sodlaka	...	Nosekeni
S'Thandiwe Kgoroge	...	Albertina Sisulu
Tshallo Sputla Chokwe	...	Oliver Tambo
Sello Maake Ka-Ncube	...	Albert Luthuli (as Sello Maake)

Storyline

Nelson Mandela is a South African lawyer who joins the African National Congress in the 1940s when the law under the Apartheid system's brutal tyranny proves useless for his people. Forced to abandon peaceful protest for armed resistance after the Sharpeville Massacre, Mandela pays the price when he and his comrades are sentenced to life imprisonment for treason while his wife, Winnie, is abused by the authorities herself. Over the decades in chains, Mandela's spirit is unbowed as his struggle goes on in and beyond his captivity to become an international cause. However, as Winnie's determination hardens over the years into a violent ruthlessness, Nelson's own stature rises until he becomes the renowned leader of his movement. That status would be put to the test as his release nears and a way must be found to win a peaceful victory that will leave his country, and all its peoples, unstained.

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Plot Keywords:

nelson mandela | president | resistance | africa | apartheid | 

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Taglines:

It is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of violence and disturbing images, sexual content and brief strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was in development for many years, initially with Morgan Freeman attached to play Nelson Mandela. These plans were scuppered when Freeman chose to play Mandela in Clint Eastwood's Invictus (2009).

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Goofs

During the celebrations when the ANC win the elections in 1994, one of the people in the crowd is wearing a South African cricket T-shirt from after 2011.

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Quotes

Nelson Mandela: I have walked a long walk to freedom. It has been a lonely road, and it is not over yet. I know that my country, was not made to be a land of hatred. No one is born hating another person because the color of his skin. People learn to hate. They can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart.

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Connections

References Do the Right Thing (1989)

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Soundtracks

Umoya Uthetheli
Traditional arranged by Dizu Plaatjies
Performed by Vuyo Plaatjies & Dizu Plaatjies and Mantombi Matotiyane
Published by Fat Mama Publishing

User Reviews

Mandela's struggle played brilliantly by Elba

Nelson Mandela is a man that should be remembered for his incredible fighting spirit that not only helped him achieve his goals, but also be remembered as an important leader to his people. When making movie about such an iconic and historic figure, one has to cast the perfect actor. Idris Elba was very much the right man for the job. The actor is Mandela in every scene he appears and shares the same emotions as our real life protagonist. This is clearly one of the best roles of the year and one of my personal favorites. Naomie Harris is not far off either as Winnie, Madiba's second wife, a woman who stands by her man during his imprisonment, and slowly drifts apart from him as she no longer feels she knows him and his intentions. Much has been said about the movie's plot flaws, something I do not agree with as I found it to be quite entertaining and a great homage to the legend that is Nelson Mandela. Great performances in a fantastic movie.

Rating 8/10

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site Official site [France]

Country:

UK South Africa France

Language:

English Afrikaans Xhosa

Release Date:

25 December 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Filming Locations:

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$84,283, 1 December 2013

Gross USA:

$8,323,085

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$27,985,788

Company Credits

Production Co:

Videovision Entertainment, Distant Horizon, Film Afrika Worldwide

Technical Specs

Runtime:

141 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1