Clint Eastwood's retelling of how Nelson Mandela embraced the Springboks lacks that sporting thrill and passion for the game – and misses a fine metaphor for the racial struggle
• Reel history: Diana - a right royal mess
• Reel history: Rush - an untrustworthy ride
Invictus (2009)
Director: Clint Eastwood
Entertainment grade: C–
History grade: B+
The South African national rugby union team has been known as the Springboks since the early 20th century. The 1995 World Cup was the first in which South Africa was readmitted to international competition after an apartheid-era boycott.
Politics
Invictus begins with the release from prison and election to the presidency of Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman), who appears in some meticulously recreated documentary-style footage. The film is right to suggest that rugby was an intensely political game in South Africa. "Rugby was 'the opium of the Boer', said Makhenkesi Arnold Stofile, an African National Congress activist who later served as sports minister.
• Reel history: Diana - a right royal mess
• Reel history: Rush - an untrustworthy ride
Invictus (2009)
Director: Clint Eastwood
Entertainment grade: C–
History grade: B+
The South African national rugby union team has been known as the Springboks since the early 20th century. The 1995 World Cup was the first in which South Africa was readmitted to international competition after an apartheid-era boycott.
Politics
Invictus begins with the release from prison and election to the presidency of Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman), who appears in some meticulously recreated documentary-style footage. The film is right to suggest that rugby was an intensely political game in South Africa. "Rugby was 'the opium of the Boer', said Makhenkesi Arnold Stofile, an African National Congress activist who later served as sports minister.
- 10/3/2013
- by Alex von Tunzelmann
- The Guardian - Film News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.