Invictus

His people needed a leader. He gave them a champion.
His people needed a leader. He gave them a champion.
INVICTUS (15)
D: Clint Eastwood
Warner Bros./Malpaso/Spyglass (Clint Eastwood, Robert Lorenz & Mace Neufeld)
US/South Africa 2009
133 mins

Drama/Sports/Biopic

W: Anthony Peckham [based on the book "Playing The Enemy: Nelson Mandela And The Game That Made A Nation" by John Carlin]
DP: Tom Stern
Ed: Joel Cox & Gary Roach
Mus: Kyle Eastwood & Michael Stevens

Morgan Freeman (Nelson Mandela), Matt Damon (François Pienaar), Tony Kgoroge (Jason Tshabalala), Adjoa Andoh (Brenda Mazibuko), Julian Lewis Jones (Etienne Feyder)

"Football is a gentleman's game played by hooligans, whereas rugby is a hooligan's game played by gentlemen"     
Although I agree with that statement, I don't agree with the context it's used in this film, but I do agree with the sentiment that sport can unite a country, as this movie so proves.
Morgan Freeman stars as former South African president Nelson Mandela, who, with the 1995 Rugby World Cup tournament taking place, encourages the South African team captain, François Pienaar (Matt Damon), that a victory for the home nation will unite it's people in celebration.
Invictus is a thoroughly entertaining, inspiring movie whether or not you have an interest in politics and/or rugby. Excellent performances by Morgan Freeman & Matt Damon and well directed by the auteur Clint Eastwood.
8/10

Morgan Freeman & Matt Damon in Invictus
Morgan Freeman & Matt Damon in Invictus