The Clint Eastwood-directed movie Invictus, starring familiar faces like Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, revolves around the build-up to and thrills of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, hosted by South Africa. Through a great film we can learn a great deal about both the situation of South Africa in the early years post its “redemption” from the Apartheid, as well as important topics such as unity, equality and forgiveness. Morgan Freeman plays the main role as Nelson Mandela, and with charisma makes it impossible not to admire the man he in this scenario portrays with a striking resemblance.
Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) states about the white people of South Africa in the film; “They are our fellow South Africans, our partners in democracy. And they treasure Springbok rugby. If we take that away, we lose them. We prove that we are what they feared we would be. We have to be better than that. We have to surprise them with compassion, with restraint, and generosity. I know. All of the things they denied us." Further on in movie he adds that the mutual racism between the white and black people of South Africa is an evil cycle that he by any means will put an end to.
The peak of excitement in Invictus is at the very end, where South Africa arises to beat their seemingly unbeatable opponent, the New Zealand All Blacks, in the Rugby World Cup final. A unique illustration of unity follows as the people of South Africa cheer and celebrate together, ignoring each other’s ethnicity and background. I believe this ending is to emphasize the words of Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman); unless we don´t prove to be better than what those who oppressed us feared us to be, we will never become united. I think this movie states a clear message that I completely agree with, and there is a reason Nelson Mandela will be in the history books for centuries.
