Invictus (2009)
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A newly elected South African president and a rugby team captain unite a divided nation through the sport of rugby union.
The story
Following his release from prison, Nelson Mandela is elected President of South Africa in the post-apartheid era. Facing deep racial divisions, Mandela seeks to unite the nation. He identifies the 1995 Rugby World Cup as a vehicle for unity and begins a partnership with Francois Pienaar, the captain of the Springboks. Despite the team's history as a symbol of the old regime, Mandela and Pienaar work together to transform the team's image and win over the hearts of the black population. As the tournament approaches, both men remain committed to the belief that the game can bridge the divide between black and white South Africans.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After 27 years in captivity, Nelson Mandela is released and later becomes President of South Africa. To heal a nation fractured by apartheid, he seeks to unite black and white citizens. He focuses on the 1995 Rugby World Cup and forms an alliance with Francois Pienaar, the captain of the Springboks. While the team was previously a symbol of white supremacy, Mandela and Pienaar work to make it a symbol of national pride. During the tournament, the Springboks overcome significant odds, defeating Australia, France, and eventually New Zealand in a hard-fought final at Ellis Park Stadium. The victory is celebrated by a diverse crowd of all races, and Mandela is seen celebrating with the team as the nation unites in the streets.
- First release year
- 2009
- Runtime (minutes)
- 133
- Production countries
- United States; South Africa
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Clint Eastwood
- Writers
- Anthony Peckham · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Morgan Freeman · Nelson Mandela; Matt Damon · Francois Pienaar; Scott Eastwood · Joel Stransky; Zak Fe'aunati · Jonah Lomu; Grant L. Roberts · Ruben Kruger
- Genres
- docudrama; sports; biographical drama
- Themes
- Unity; Reconciliation; Sports as a unifying force
- Tone and mood
- Inspirational; Stately
- Premise and plot tags
- Based on a True Story; Sports Drama; Historical Drama
- Source material / true-story basis
- Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation by John Carlin
- Reception
- The film was met with generally positive reviews and received favorable scores on Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 77% · scale: percentage · review count: 241; Metacritic · score: 74 · scale: 100 · review count: 34
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Actor · Nomination; Academy Award · Best Supporting Actor · Nomination
- Production trivia
- The film is named after a poem by William Ernest Henley.; The film was the largest opening for a rugby-themed film.; The film was the third collaboration between Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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