Invictus

Theatrical Release Date: 2009 12 11 (USA) / 2009 (USA)

UPC: 883929159451

Studio: Warner Home Video

MPAA Rating: PG13   Contains:[Mild Language]

Summary: Actor Morgan Freeman portrays anti-apartheid activist and former South African president Nelson Mandela in this Clint Eastwood-helmed political drama adapted from author John Carlin's book The Human Factor: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Changed the World. Set just after the fall of apartheid and during Mandela's first term in office, The Human Factor explores how the political prisoner-turned-president used the 1995 Rugby World Cup -- which was hosted by South Africa -- as a means of bringing blacks and whites together after decades of violence and mistrust. Matt Damon co-stars in the Warner Bros. production as rugby player Francois Pienaar. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Category: Drama

Awards: Best Picture – National Board of Review Best Actor – National Board of Review Freedom of Expression Award – National Board of Review Best Director – Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion – Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Director – National Board of Review Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama – Hollywood Foreign Press Association Producer of the Year – Producers Guild of America Producer of the Year – Producers Guild of America Producer of the Year – Producers Guild of America Producer of the Year – Producers Guild of America Best Actor – Screen Actors Guild Best Supporting Actor – Screen Actors Guild Best Supporting Actor – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Actor – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Invictus

Format: Blu-ray

Release Date: 01/25/2011

Audio: DHMA null, DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1

Language(s) English,French,Spanish

Subtitles: French,Spanish

Jason Buchanan

Clint Eastwood's Invictus is more a film to be respected than admired. A competent and finely crafted look at a crucial moment in South African history, it's a film that's well directed and well acted, and features a number of thought-provoking parallels to the current climate in the United States. Yet, despite featuring an uplifting message about inspiration and perseverance, the film still fails to resonate on an emotional level due to the fact that the conflict is mainly encapsulated in a rugby game rather than out on the streets, where we could really see the effects of Nelson Mandela's efforts to unify the people of South Africa. Sure, there are a few scenes that illustrate the social transformation that's taking place, such as the little black boy listening to the decisive rugby game with a pair of white police officers, or Mandela's racially integrated security team bonding during a pickup game after initially distrusting each other. But by shifting the focus from Mandela's struggle to South Africa's efforts to win the World Cup in the second half of the film, Anthony Peckham's screenplay essentially becomes a sports underdog story wrapped in a socially conscious coating, and loses any real dramatic tension in the process. The film opens in 1990, just as Nelson Mandela is being released from prison after serving a 27-year sentence. Four years later, Mandela is elected president of South Africa. Taking note of the racial divide that still runs through his country, Mandela urges his people to look to the future instead of remaining stuck in the past, and begins to see the Springbok -- South Africa's mostly white rugby team -- as a powerful means of promoting his agenda for social change. The black South Africans see the Springbok as a distasteful reminder of the apartheid era, and they make this known by cheering on the challengers rather than their home team; the white South Africans remain staunch supporters of the Springbok. Lately, the Springbok hasn't been doing so well, though Mandela is convinced they have what it takes to win the World Cup -- and bring the country together in the process. In forging a friendly relationship with Springbok captain Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), Mandela attempts to inspire the team to greatness, and show his people the importance of working together toward a common goal. The concept of using sports as a vehicle for social commentary is nothing new in cinema, and Eastwood's assured, workmanlike approach yields a film that's rarely dull, despite the fact that it's not very exciting. But Invictus is more ambitious than your typical sports drama, and that's both a blessing and a curse -- especially considering what was at stake at the time the actual events took place. At a crucial moment in history, Mandela recognized that some of his most important decisions were the ones that didn't necessarily have to do with politics. His keen understanding of the role that sports play in South Africa's national identity inspired him to gently push others to greatness, even when his own staff balked at the idea of placing such importance on something so seemingly trivial. Of course, that message would still have come through no matter who was playing Mandela, but Morgan Freeman's portrayal of the beloved leader is the driving force of a film that inefficiently wavers between social drama and sports drama, to the detriment of both. And while Damon's role as team captain Pienaar certainly isn't his most charismatic or emotionally resonate one to date, he is highly effective both on and off the rugby pitch; his accent remains consistent throughout and his few moments of quiet reflection carry a gravity that speaks volumes about his understanding of what's really at stake in the final game. If only Anthony Peckham's script were as focused as Freeman's and Damon's performances, then perhaps Eastwood might have scored a solid dramatic film. Unfortunately, despite everyone's good intensions, Invictus fumbles the ball on its way to the goal, and never quite manages to recover it. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Kyle Eastwood  Composer (Music Score) 
Gary Barber  Executive Producer 
Roger Birnbaum  Executive Producer 
Clint Eastwood  Director 
Clint Eastwood  Producer 
Morgan Freeman  Executive Producer 
Mace Neufeld  Producer 
Robert Lorenz  Producer 
Lori McCreary  Producer 
Tony Peckham  Screenwriter 
Tim Moore  Executive Producer 
Michael Stevens  Composer (Music Score) 
Morgan Freeman  Actor 
Matt Damon  Actor 
Tony Kgoroge  Actor 
Patrick Mofokeng  Actor 
Matt Stern  Actor 
Julian Lewis Jones  Actor 
Adjoa Andoh  Actor 
Marguerite Wheatley  Actor 
Leleti Khumalo  Actor 
Patrick Lyster  Actor 
Penny Downie  Actor 
Sibongile Nojila  Actor 
Bonnie Henna  Actor 
Shakes Myeko  Actor 
Louis Minaar  Actor 
Danny Keogh  Actor 
Dan Robbertse  Actor 
Robin Smith  Actor 
David Dukas  Actor 
Grant Brett Swanby  Actor 
Josias Moleele  Actor 
Melusi Yeni  Actor 
Robert Hobbs  Actor 
Langley Kirkwood  Actor 
Daniel Hadebe  Actor 
Vuyo Dabula  Actor 
Jodi Botha  Actor 
Hennie Bosman  Actor 
Refiloe Mpakanyane  Actor 
Murray Todd  Actor 
Jakkie Groenewald  Actor 
Japan Mthembu  Actor 
Albert Maritz  Actor 
Sello Motloung  Actor 
Meren Reddy  Actor 
Lida Botha  Actor 
Susan Danford  Actor 
Sylvia Mngxekeza  Actor 
James Lithgow  Actor 
Malusi Skenjana  Actor 
Bart Fouche  Actor 
Johnny Cicco  Actor 
Wayne Harrison  Actor 
Ashley Taylor  Actor 
Gift Loetlela  Actor 
Kgosi Mongake  Actor 
Given Stuurman  Actor 
Vuyolwethu Stevens  Actor 
Ayabulela Stevens  Actor 
Nambitha Mpumlwana  Actor 
Andre Jacobs  Actor 
JR Redlinghaus  Actor 

Country: USA