Product Details

• Actors: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon
• Directors: Clint Eastwood
• Format: Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• DVD Release Date: May 18, 2010
• Run Time: 134 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (136 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002JCSWV6
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,116 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Invictus" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

After South Africa elected Nelson Mandela president, the racially divided country could've easily erupted into civil war. In Clint Eastwood's determinedly populist, yet heartfelt look back at that time, the director examines one of the more ingenious steps Mandela (Morgan Freeman in a performance of sly charm) took to prevent that from happening. Knowing that his country was set to host the Rugby World Cup in 1995, Mandela believed the national team could provide an example of reconciliation in action. Led by François Pienaar (an unbelievably buff Matt Damon), the mostly white Springboks inspired devotion among Afrikaners and disgust among native Africans. Instead of changing their name or colors, Mandela encouraged them to win for the sake of their homeland. During the year leading up to the event, the team learns to work together as never before, just as Mandela's newly integrated security detail, a combination of cops and activists, finds a way to bridge their ideological differences. By the time of the big day, the poorly ranked Springboks are well equipped to hold their own against New Zealand's All Blacks (so named for their uniforms, not their racial composition). Drawing from John Carlin's Playing the Enemy, Anthony Peckham's script takes its title, Latin for "unconquerable," from a British poem Mandela held close to his heart during the 27 years he spent in prison. If Damon's accent is more convincing, Freeman serves as the film's heart--and as a timely reminder that reconciliation is never easy, but that it will always trump revenge. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

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

15 of 16 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.

11 of 11 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

14 of 15 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
(REAL NAME)   

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.