Movie Talk invites Paul Morgan, editor of Rugby World magazine, to offer his view on Invictus, Clint Eastwood’s eagerly awaited movie set at the time of the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
I often feel privileged in my job and one of those times came when I was lucky enough to be one of the first people to see the new Clint Eastwood movie about the way Nelson Mandela used rugby to unite South Africa, after he was elected as President in 1994 – Invictus.
Mandela realised that he couldn’t take his new Rainbow Nation forward if he was only working with the black population. He needed the whites too in his new partnership – and how better to get them onside, than through the South African rugby team?
It is a sensational movie, and for someone like me who loves not only the Mandela story but also rugby it is the perfect film. However this is not just a film for rugby fans as the enthralling Mandela story is the primary reason for watching it. This is as much about the man as the sport. Rugby is used as a backdrop so non-rugby fans will enjoy it as well. Think Field of Dreams – great film and who cares if you liked baseball or not!
Morgan Freeman is Mandela, the part he was born to play, and puts in a extraordinary performance that well deserves his Oscar nomination. This is an incredible portrayal of an incredible man.
Matt Damon is a very credible François Pienaar, bringing all the energy and fervour he brought to the Bourne series. The height difference between the two men is hardly noticeable, except when he stands with Morgan Freeman, who is way over six foot!
There is a lot of rugby action in the film, but it has been portrayed magnificently by director Clint Eastwood – well would you expect anything else? The action is superbly done by top-class players. Don’t think Escape to Victory, think a £60 million Hollywood film.
