OK for kids 12+
Inspiring tale about Mandela, rugby, and national pride.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this fact-based Clint Eastwood-directed drama (which stars Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman) is an uplifting movie that's age appropriate for older tweens and young teens -- the PG-13 rating is primarily for language (one use of "f--king" and a couple of "s--t"s are the worst of it). Because of its narrow focus -- the movie follows President Nelson Mandela's decision to rally support behind South Africa's nearly all-white national rugby team -- there's no violence except for the rugby itself (which is quite physically aggressive). And Damon's character kisses his wife, but there's nothing more risque than that. Ultimately the movie is both educational and inspiring, providing an excellent lesson about post-apartheid South Africa, national unity, and the universality of sports.
- Families can talk about the movie's themes of national unity and desegregation. Why does Mandela decide to save the rugby team? What does the rugbyteam represent to black South Africans at the beginning of the film,and how does that change throughout the movie?
- What do Pienaar's rugby teammates mean when they that say the new national anthemis a "terrorist song"? What does the movie teach viewers about the history ofSouth Africa?
- The poem "Invictus" is referenced and read more than once in the movie. What do you think the poem means, and why does Mandela give it to Pienaar?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie has an uplifting message about how Mandela led South Africans by example by rooting for a nearly all-white rugby team to foster national unity. Mandela's love of the poem "Invictus," which he had up in his prison cell and later gives to the captain of the rugby team, means "unconquered" in Latin and has an inspiring message: "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."
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Role models: Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela is portrayed as a kind, open-hearted leader who wants to help South Africa heal the deep wounds caused by apartheid. Mandela understands how the rugby team, once a bastion of segregated South Africa, could turn into a beacon of new South Africa. Francois Pienaar is willing to work with Mandela, even at a time when many white South Africans were resistant to Mandela's leadership. He encourages his teammates to acknowledge the new South African anthem and to reach out to the black majority.
What to watch for
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Violence: Rugby is a pretty violent sport, but otherwise, there's no conventional violence except for when an angry white South African throws a soda cup in the vicinity of President Mandela. In another scene, Mandela is shown collapsed on the floor.
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Sex: Francois kisses and hugs his wife a couple of times, and the night she visits him before a big match, he says they "can't" but that he needs her for "inspiration," and then they start kissing. A presidential guard flirts with Mandela's secretary.
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Language: The rugby team occasionally swears (though considerably less than you'd imagine professional athletes cursing) -- one "f--king" and a couple of "s--t"s is the worst of it. Otherwise, the strongest words are "bastard," "freakin'," "crap," and "damn."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
Fan Reviews provided by
5
INVICTUS - conquered me. Grade: A. (Based on advance VIP press preview on Monday Dec. 7, 2009) by MOVIES REVIEWER
Invictus, latin for 'unconquered', is a 1875 short poem by English poet William Ernest Henley.
The last two lines of the poem are...
"I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul."
Invictus is also a 135-minute movie based on the non-fiction book by John Carlin - Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Changed a Nation, and chronicled Nelson Mandela's life from 1994-1995 - focusing mainly on his inspiring and successful attempts to racially and politically depolarize plus unify the South African nation with the help of South Africa's underdog rugby team, Springboks.
Director Clint Eastwood was charged with the difficult task of weaving politics and sports while presenting a portrait of a gentle, wise, and humanitarian leader. He succeeded in crafting a well-told story - with excellent production values - that is fresh, entertaining, educational, inspiring, and yet - not at all 'preachy'.
VERDICT:
ROUSING, INSPIRATIONAL, POWERFUL.
Go See It!!
5
What movies are all about. by jay247
This is a "Must Go" movie. It is a beautiful story of human conflict and choices.
It is a story of how, from the deep shadows of darkness can come forgiveness and healing.
Wonderful movie, Clint Eastwood did it again.
Two Thumbs up for:
Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon.
5
A fascinating blend of politics and sports by pb7605
I went in to this with low expectations- the movie we wanted to see was sold out. But can I just say WOW! This was a fantastic movie. Superb acting by both Morgan Freemon and Matt Damon as well as the supporting actors. The movie really gives a glimpse inside 1990's South African society and politics and demonstrates the immense task that Mandela was faced with in terns of bringing the country together. It is enlightening without being heavy handed. Instead of trying to be an all encompassing story about Mandela's life, it focuses on a relatively narrow time period and scope of activities, and manages to somehow convey a good sense of the man and his political instincts. And the rugby scenes were amazing. I have never seen rugby before, but this movie makes me want to get to know the sport. Great movie.
5
Much More than a Sports Movie by cspringsmom
I got the impression this was another one of those "Underdogs Win Championships" movie that we've all seen before in Hoosiers, Major League, etc. The truth is, the rugby matches are a small part of the real story going on here. While I thought the Nelson Mandela story was just a sideline that was going to be "why" the South African national team had to win, it was the other way around. The story is one about this amazing individual who spent 27 years in a tiny cell because of his stand against Apartheid. He could've come out bitter, who would blame him? He lost his wife and family, for the most part, during those years, and it wasn't like the individuals who put him away were even asking for forgiveness. But he knew that if he could find one small thing both factions could route for, it would help build unity that was non-existent in South Africa at that time. He teaches forgiveness from a personal example and Morgan Freeman was completely believable in the role. Oscar material.
5
An Untold Story of Freedom and Forgiveness by NathanielQueen
This is a must-see film for all people interested in the struggle in South African. It is a true story of how everyday happenings can have profound effect. Morgan Freeman is his usal best. And while I am not a big Matt Damon fan, he was great in his role as the instrument of Mandela's peace offering to All the people of South Africa.
4
Invictus worth the price by dmaneri
Though Invictus moves slowly at times, it is a typically brilliant job by Director Clint Eastwood with plenty of highly emotional moments. The script was tight and if you didn't know that the story was real, you'd say it was impossible. The writer's use of the President's security force as a microcosm of South Africa was a brilliant choice. Matt Damon did a very good job as the Captain of the Rugby team; he just wasn't asked to do much -- we kept waiting for some great emotional speech or moment of inspiration and other than the final minutes of the World Cup game, his character never said nor did much that was exceptional. What was execeptional was the performance and the role of Nelson Mandela as played by Morgan Freeman. The thoughtfulness of this great man came through in every scene with Mr. Freeman. It should be seen by families and kids of all ages.
5
Amazing and Inspirational leadership lessons by RSMMovieLover
This movie has wonderful lessons about how to be a servant leader from three perspectives (Mandela, captain of the Springboks and the head of the presidential security detail). The scene with Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon in Mandela's office is especially inspirational. This movie demonstrates the power of forgiveness and reconcilliation, rather than revenge. These are especially valuable lessons for today's turbulent times. Great performances by the leads and outstanding shots of rugby that really shows the brutality and beauty of the sport. Much more than a sports movie, definitely a must see.
4
A great movie, if not for a few faults by Gobexs
Invictus is definitely a film worth seeing, both by sports fans and the politically savvy, but sluggish pacing early on and some other poor choices prevent it from being what I would call a great movie.
First the good stuff: Invictus is a compelling true story, with appeal across the spectrum. Matt Damon gives a quite sufficient performance, and Morgan Freeman is excellent. Clint Eastwood takes his time developing his characters and his treatment of post-Apartheid race relations in South Africa is eloquent and moving. As a rugby player disappointed by Hollywood's treatment of the game to date, I was very happy to see a much more well-informed and respectful portrayal of the game.
The bad: This movie's trailer featured some powerful traditional African music, which was often usurped in the film by an annoying South African pop band. Morgan Freeman seemed forced into a few lines that were clearly intended to dumb things down for the audience.
Overall a very good movie!
5
WOW! by kwkurtz44
1st off to the guy who said it was not worth his time and a waste of money. I can only assume your a Frddy Kruger Fan, But, then I would think it hard to find even a Freddie Krueger fan, that would not appreciate exceptional film work when they see it.
When I saw the Queen, I walked out of there thinking, if she doesn't get the Oscar for that performance there is no justice. That is how I felt about Morgan Freeman after walking out of Invictus. I saw the film in a theater in a predominently white suburb north of Georiga, I am white also,, the audience consisted of mostly "red necks". I counted at least 5 men in my immeidate vicinity wiping tears from their eyes. Mr. Eastwood, when you can make a red neck cry over a Black hero, you've done your job.
I'm a big fan of DeNiro also, and I hear that his perfromance in his new movie "Everybody's Fine" is aolso Oscar Worthy, so I will make no predictions yet. But, Freeman is a cinch to be nominated, as I am sure Eastwood will be
4
Invictus by czuccaro
Both Morgan Freeman And Matt Damon give superb performances in this biopic about South Africa's 1995 World Rugby Cup win. The film is a bit thin in explaining how these men got to the point where they are , but overall very entertaining. I would highly recommend seeing this film.