Invictus

Clint Eastwood's Invictus tells the story of Nelson Mandela's attempt to unite apartheid-torn South Africa by having the national rugby team, the Springboks, win the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Morgan Freeman stars as Nelson Mandela, and his intense preparation gives us a nearly perfect rendering of the man on celluloid. Matt Damon plays Rugby Captain Francois Pienaar, who is tasked with carrying out Mandela's challenge.

The film is a rather by-the-numbers inspirational sports movie, but instead of a personal or team victory hanging in the balance, it is the future of a nation. Mandela realizes that the all-white Springboks, who are hated by the blacks of South Africa to the point where the crowds cheer for opponents, are the key to bringing the segregated nation together. This makes for an interesting premise, and rightly so, due to the fact that it's a true story, but it doesn't make for the most riveting of sports dramas.

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Clint Eastwood's latest directorial effort, Invictus, hits theaters tomorrow. Invictus, starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, focuses on the beginning of Nelson Mandela's term as president of apartheid-torn South Africa, and his efforts to unite the country by encouraging the national rugby team to win the World Cup.

ComingSoon.net has posted some interview snippets with the cast of Invictus. In the article, Morgan Freeman gives some really interesting insight into how he came to play South African president Nelson Mandela, and how he prepared for the role.

Apparently, Nelson Mandela himself was asked who he would prefer to play him if his autobiography, The Long Walk to Freedom, was ever turned into a movie.

"He said 'Morgan Freeman,'" says the actor, "So from then on it was, okay, Morgan Freeman is going to be Mandela somewhere down the line."

Upon deciding that the 1995 World Cup was the perfect way to frame the movie, Freeman began working to get inside Mandela's head.

"I said to him, 'If I'm going to play you, I'm going to have to have access to you. I'm going to have to get close enough to hold your hand."

Apparently, he meant that literally: "Now that's not for camaraderie. I find that if I hold your hand, I get your energy. It transfers. I get a sense of how you feel. That's important to me in trying to become another person."

Co-star Matt Damon also talks about what it was like to play Rugby Captain Francois Pienaar: "I was in better shape for this movie [than 'Bourne']. I was in the gym every day... This is [Francois'] life. I don't want to embarrass him. If Jason Bourne looks a little flabby, that's on me."

Both actors give more insight into the picture, and discuss briefly what it's like to work with director Clint Eastwood. For the rest of the article, head on over to ComingSoon.net, and don't forget to check out Invictus in theaters, starting Friday, December 11.

This Friday, Clint Eastwood's portrayal of Nelson Mandela's real-life attempt to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup in order to unite the people of South Africa in the wake of apartheid. Invictus stars Morgan Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon as Rugby Captain Francois Pienaar, the man with whom Mandela tasks to lead the South African team to victory.

Take a look at some inspiring photos from the film by clicking on the thumbnails below. And don't forget to see the rest of our Invictus photos in the gallery!

Hitting right in time for Oscar season is Clint Eastwood's latest directorial effort, and it's sure to drum up some nominations. Invictus tells the true story of Nelson Mandela's first term as South African President, when he tasked the South African rugby team to not only compete for the World Cup, but to win it in order to unite the apartheid-torn country.

Invictus has been getting a lot of buzz lately, and for good reason. Eastwood seems to have made another impressive film destined to compete at the Academy Awards, showing off the enormous talents of both Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. The trailer is inspiring to say the least:

Invictus opens in theaters this Friday.

Here at ReelMovieNews, we know how much you like Nelson Mandela. In honor of the new movie Invictus, in which Morgan Freeman plays the notorious South African president, we present to you a selection of quotes spoken by Mandela in the film. You can just hear Morgan Freeman's voice reciting these lines!

Invictus is sure to be an award-winner this season, combining the talents of Freeman, Matt Damon and the steady hand of director Clint Eastwood. It opens in theaters this Friday.

Nelson Mandela: Brothers and sisters, this is the time to build our nation! | permalink

Francois Pienaar: I was thinking how a man could spend thirty years in prison, and come out and forgive the men who did it to him... | permalink

Jason Tshabalala: According to the experts, we'll reach the quarter-finals, and no further.
Nelson Mandela: According to the experts, you and I should still be dead. | permalink

Brenda Mazibuko: This rugby, as a political calculation...
Nelson Mandela: It is a HUMAN calculation! | permalink

Nelson Mandela: I thank whatever gods may be / For my unconquerable soul. / I am the master of my fate / I am the captain of my soul. | permalink

Don't forget to check out the rest of the Invictus quotes!