Product Details

• Actors: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon
• Directors: Clint Eastwood
• Format: Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (DTS-HD High Res Audio), French (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• DVD Release Date: May 18, 2010
• Run Time: 133 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (136 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002JCSWVG
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,175 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Invictus [Blu-ray]" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Also on the Disc

The Invictus Blu-ray special features include an exhaustive "picture-in-picture" option that shows background on the film's production while you're looking at the relevant section in the movie itself; comments come from members of the filmmaking team as well as some of the real-life folks involved in the true story. "Mandela Meets Morgan" (shouldn't that be the other way around?) is a half-hour making-of that includes irresistible footage of Morgan Freeman going to meet the man everybody told him he should play someday, along with Nelson Mandela's delighted response. Freeman confides about his own nervousness, "OK, you're in the presence of greatness--what do you say?" We also learn that the film's single most powerful scene, a visit to the cell Mandela occupied for so many years, was shot on location; a replica had been built on a sound stage to allow for greater camera movement, but Clint Eastwood wisely nixed that idea. "Matt Damon Plays Rugby" is a seven-minute look at Damon's preparation for his athletic role, including his relationship with real-life counterpart François Pienaar. There's also a 22-minute excerpt from Richard Schickel's feature-length doc, The Eastwood Factor, that follows Clint around the Warner back lot. It's all appropriate background stuff for fans of Eastwood's calm, dignified film. --Robert Horton

Product Description

What does Nelson Mandela do after becoming president of South Africa? He rejects revenge, forgives oppressors who jailed him 27 years for his fight against apartheid and finds hope of national unity in an unlikely place: the rugby field. Clint Eastwood (named 2009's Best Director by the National Board of Review) directs an uplifting film about a team and a people inspired to greatness. Morgan Freeman (NBR's Best Actor Award winner and Oscar nominee for this role) is Mandela, who asks the national rugby team captain (Best Supporting Actor Oscar nominee Matt Damon) and his squad to do the impossible and win the World Cup. Prepare to be moved--and thrilled.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational, January 25, 2010

By 

Andrew Desmond (Neutral Bay, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Invictus (DVD)

Turning a story with a sports theme into a good movie is often a challenge. Too often, the viewer is left with clichés. This is not the case with "Invictus". Clint Eastwood as director and producer has crafted a wonderful and moving tale. It deserves a wide audience.

The sport of Rugby Union is little known in America but the use of big name stars such as Morgan Freeman playing Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon playing the South African captain Francois Pienaar works well. They were both truly convincing. Damon in particular seemed to master the Afrikaans accent.

"Invictus" is touching. I frequently found myself almost moved to tears. The story of how Mandela was able to look beyond simple revenge and move forward in the spirit of reconciliation was uplifting. If only other nations could follow this example. Mandela had much to be bitter about but proved that he was a bigger man. In this way, he further condemned apartheid to the dustbin of history where it belongs.

Many people will know the story of the 1995 World Cup. South Africa as the host nation rose from the ranks of relative easy beats to become champions. However, in Clint Eastwood's hands we are provided with more than a simple tale of underdog victory. This is a very tired story. Instead, Eastwood homes in on both the bigger picture and the touching interplay between Mandela and Pienaar. Eastwood is getting better with age. When most men are in retirement at his age, he continues to dazzle. He is an inspiration himself.

Go see this film. Your effort will be rewarded.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Invictus, March 9, 2010

By 

Helping hands Life Improve "Desiree Lotz" (Clearwater, Florida) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Invictus (DVD)

I am a South AFrican and was outside the stadium when the final game in the movie was played. This was a real event. Only someone who was there can tell you the emotional impact of that game and what Nelson Mandela and Francois Pienaar (captain of the Springbok rugby team) achieved. For several hours after that game there was not a single crime in South Africa. The whole country united as one to spur our team on. I, unfortunately, did not attend the actual game but I was outside that stadium and the fellowship and goodwill that emanated from it had to be experienced. I went to see the movie with my youngest daughter here in the USA. She was only 8 years old at the time of that game. She could well recall the impact of the emotion and, for me, it was a pleasure moment relived. The movie did it justice and the two actors performed very well in their roles as two South Africans. I loved the movie and definitely want to see it again. Always a South African. We are a nation of such spirit.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Forgiveness liberates the soul, May 21, 2010

By 

C. Christopher Blackshere "Mackshere" (hampered by what's acceptable) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Invictus (DVD)

What a powerful story, a remarkable leader, and incredible direction here. Invictus is the true story of Nelson Mandela and the '95 Rugby World Cup.

Eastwood easily could have pulled on the emotional strings and presented the harsh realities of the apartheid in South Africa. He also could have appealed to any impatient movie watchers by inserting graphic details of the grueling years of captivity Mandela endured. But instead this story begins immediately after he was released from prison and is elected president. He has the daunting task of rebuilding the country after the fall of apartheid. Could sports really help a country unite?

The acting here is impeccable. Morgan Freeman has turned in tons of great performances, but never has he felt more perfect for a role. Plus Matt Damon did great with his accent and mannerisms of the team captain.

I was very impressed with the actions and words of Nelson Mandela. He reminded me of Mahatma Gandhi. Despite his lengthy imprisonment and his country's animosity that lingered from the past, he refused to act out of hatred.

"THIS IS NO TIME FOR PETTY REVENGE"

This film never gets too political. It focuses more on human relationships and the country's underdog rugby team. Invictus is an extraordinary true story about the power of the human spirit. A movie not to be missed