Sports have a natural ability for being able to rally people behind a common cause. In Invictus that is exactly what Nelson Mandela was counting on.
Fresh out of Robben Island prison and newly elected to be the first post-apartheid president of South Africa in 1994, Mandela had his work cut out for him. Even with apartheid over the nation still teetered on the edge of hostility with the animosity that only years of struggle and hatred can foster. Mandela could have taken the easy route and allowed his people to destroy many of the things that the white South Africans loved, like the Springboks, the national rugby team. To do so would only further the divide instead of “balancing black aspirations with white fears,” as he desired.
This movie spoke to two of my greatest interests- political science (which have a bachelors and masters in) and rugby (which I have played for 12 years and coached for 3). I agree whole heartily with what Mandela wants to do. Sports can be something which can draw people together regardless of any personnel beliefs. Watching Mandela talk about the game and the interest that he develops is like watching a little boy being told he's going to meet Santa Claus for the first time. I loved the different scenes in which his appreciation for the game developed and how it spread to the people around him.
The change was never more evident than when a little boy was shown in the movie. The first time we see him, he runs into the mission that is giving out free clothes. He's last in line and all they have left is a Springbok practice jersey. The white lady giving it to him thinks it is the greatest thing; that the child is lucky. He would rather go without clothes and leaves empty handed. We see him later when the team visits the community, having fun and enjoying time with the players. Finally, at the end he is collecting cans outside of the stadium and trying to listen in on a policeman's radio. he tries to be coy and act as if he is uninterested, but in the end he is listening right along with the white guards who pick him and celebrate when the game is won.
This is a great movie regardless of whether or not you know anything about rugby. While the sport provides the backdrop for all the events involved, the real story is in the personal relationships that develop among people that have hated each other with a violent passion for years. It was very moving to see the team captain put himself in Mandela's cell and close the door. He could put his hands on the walls while standing in the middle it was so small.
Go see this movie. You will not regret it.
in Movie Review 1 points
Sports have a natural ability for being able to rally people behind a common cause. In Invictus that is exactly what Nelson Mandela was counting on.
Fresh out of Robben Island prison and newly elected to be the first post-apartheid president of South Africa in 1994, Mandela had his work cut out for him. Even with apartheid over the nation still teetered on the edge of hostility with the animosity that only years of struggle and hatred can foster. Mandela could have taken the easy route and allowed his people to destroy many of the things that the white South Africans loved, like the Springboks, the national rugby team. To do so would only further the divide instead of “balancing black aspirations with white fears,” as he desired.
This movie spoke to two of my greatest interests- political science (which have a bachelors and masters in) and rugby (which I have played for 12 years and coached for 3). I agree whole heartily with what Mandela wants to do. Sports can be something which can draw people together regardless of any personnel beliefs. Watching Mandela talk about the game and the interest that he develops is like watching a little boy being told he's going to meet Santa Claus for the first time. I loved the different scenes in which his appreciation for the game developed and how it spread to the people around him.
The change was never more evident than when a little boy was shown in the movie. The first time we see him, he runs into the mission that is giving out free clothes. He's last in line and all they have left is a Springbok practice jersey. The white lady giving it to him thinks it is the greatest thing; that the child is lucky. He would rather go without clothes and leaves empty handed. We see him later when the team visits the community, having fun and enjoying time with the players. Finally, at the end he is collecting cans outside of the stadium and trying to listen in on a policeman's radio. he tries to be coy and act as if he is uninterested, but in the end he is listening right along with the white guards who pick him and celebrate when the game is won.
This is a great movie regardless of whether or not you know anything about rugby. While the sport provides the backdrop for all the events involved, the real story is in the personal relationships that develop among people that have hated each other with a violent passion for years. It was very moving to see the team captain put himself in Mandela's cell and close the door. He could put his hands on the walls while standing in the middle it was so small.
Go see this movie. You will not regret it.