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Invictus (2009)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
11 December 2009 (USA)
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Tagline:
His people needed a leader. He gave them a champion. more
Plot:
Nelson Mandela, in his first term as the South African President, initiates a unique venture to unite the apartheid-torn land: enlist the national rugby team on a mission to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Golden Globes.
Another 3 wins
&
8 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(648 articles)
The Long Road to Invictus
(From Thompson on Hollywood. 21 December 2009, 5:45 PM, PST)
Movie News Wrap Up: December 21, 2009
(From Screen Rant. 21 December 2009, 3:47 PM, PST)
(From Thompson on Hollywood. 21 December 2009, 5:45 PM, PST)
Movie News Wrap Up: December 21, 2009
(From Screen Rant. 21 December 2009, 3:47 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Freeman is great as Mandela
more (45 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) more
Additional Details
Also Known As:
The Human Factor (USA) (working title)
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MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for brief strong language.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
USA:134 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:PG-13 (certificate #45710)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
During the making of this film, Clint Eastwood became a fan of rugby. While in South Africa, he would watch hours of rugby every night and come in the next morning and talk about the games. Eventually, he began to enjoy the games.
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Goofs:
Factual errors: Johan de Villiers the TV commentator who first bad-mouths the Boks and then praises the Springboks, after the final whistle, asks the question of Pienaar: "What did it feel like to have 62,000 fans supporting you in the stadium?" and receives the answer: "We didn't have 62,000 fans behind us, we had 43 million South Africans." It was in fact a SABC reporter called David van der Sandt.
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Quotes:
[from trailer]
Nelson Mandela: How long before the World Cup?
Jim Fleming: Don't get your hopes up. We're a damn disgrace!
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Nelson Mandela: How long before the World Cup?
Jim Fleming: Don't get your hopes up. We're a damn disgrace!
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Movie Connections:
Featured in "The Jay Leno Show: (#1.57)" (2009)
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FAQ
Is "Invictus" based on a book?Who is Nelson Mandela?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
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Invictus is an enjoyable film, Morgan Freeman is great as Mandela and it's an inspiring story. The movie revolves around the 1995 Rugby World Cup and Mandela's attempt to unite South Africa behind its rugby team. Mandela develops a relationship with team captain Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon)playing the role of mentor and motivational coach.
Although it's well-made and worth watching. As a rugby fan I was a little disappointed with the action on the field although most ordinary film-goers may not notice. I am not convinced the director (Clint Eastwood) really understands the game and the actors hired to play the Springboks didn't really look the part. At 5'10" Matt Damon is a little small to play the 6'3" and 240 lb Pienaar. Pienaar was a popular charmer with a ready smile and a real ambassador for South African rugby. Damon still seemed to be playing Jason Bourne. It was an intense performance but it wasn't how I remembered Pienaar.
South Africa had not been allowed to play in previous world cup tournaments and the years of isolation had left the Springboks uncompetitive. They were seeded ninth coming into the tournament but exceed expectations by reaching the final. The action focuses on the final match with New Zealand. New Zealand had an amazing wing (running back) in the 20 year old Jonah Lomu who at 6'5" and 265 pounds seemed unstoppable. South Africa really were the underdogs. It was also the only time that the All Blacks have managed to reach the final since 1987. They usually get beat by the French (1999, 2007) or Australia (1991 and 2003)in the quarters or semis.
Overall it's nice for rugby to finally receive some recognition from Hollywood, because it's a major global sport. It's a good film.
I discovered that "Invictus" is a short poem by the English poet William Ernest Henley. The title is Latin for "unconquered". It was first published in 1875.