Movie Review: Invictus (2009)


Movie: Invictus (2009)

“The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa’s rugby team as they make their historic run to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship match. Written by alfiehitchie”

  • Director: Clint Eastwood
  • Release Date:
    11 December 2009 (USA)
  • Run Time:
    USA:134 min
  • Country: USA
  • Genre: Biography , Drama , History
  • MPAA:
    Rated PG-13 for brief strong language.

Tagline: His people needed a leader. He gave them a champion.

Trivia: Matt Damon informed Clint Eastwood about Francois Pienaar’s distinct physique: “You know, this guy is huge!” Eastwood replied, “Hell, you worry about everything else. Let me worry about that.” By structuring set-ups and camera angles, Eastwood was able to make the average-height Damon look about Pienaar’s height.

Goofs: Errors in geography: In the scene with the Springbok team jogging just before the final, they are jogging through the streets of Cape Town around the Newlands Rugby Stadium. They would have been jogging at this point in the story in Johannesburg which is where the final took place (at Ellis Park Stadium).