While I am a history teacher and know much more about South African history than the average American, but as an American I am still woefully ignorant of this far away country's history. Most everyone here knows almost nothing about Mandela and South Africa---so we are usually unable to critically examine "Invictus"--only to enjoy it. So I have no idea if Nelson Mandela is as wonderfully kind and wise as he is in the film or more just an ordinary man. In other words, is this an accurate biography or is it hero worship...I just don't know. And this movie gets me to thinking that perhaps it is time I do get to know more about the man and the nation--especially as I am planning on visiting there in 2013. I mention all this because usually when I review films I am VERY critical of the historical accuracy of a movie but in this case I am just not the best person to be doing this. It also makes me feel bad that I just don't know more about the country--especially since our news stories pretty much stopped on South Africa following the collapse of Apartheid.

"Invictus" is an interesting film because it's like a biography and history lesson combined. At times, it focuses on Mandela as President of the new South Africa and others it focuses on the divided nation--and bounces back and forth between this. This is NOT a bad thing, as using the metaphor of rugby to represent the nation is a clever way to tell the story. The only problem is that although it's quite inspiring and well made, the viewer is never surprised--not even once. What you think will happen, happens. And, oddly, there isn't even a plot device to bring in any tension or make the viewer doubt the outcome in the least. As a result, it's easy to see why "Hurt Locker" beat out "Invictus" for the Best Picture Oscar and I think other nominees I've seen (such as "Precious" and "Avatar") were better films. However, I COULD see how "Invictus" won acting Oscars, as this was top-notch. Oddly, however, Morgan Freeman played a much smaller man (Mandela) and the opposite is true of Matt Damon playing a much bigger man than he really is.

While it's almost completely unlikely to ever happen, I'd sure love to be able to watch this film with a mixed group of South Africans--to listen to their insights and comments on what is occurring. I did not see this on DVD, so perhaps the DVD has some similar sort of commentary--it would be most enlightening if there is such an option.

Invictus is one of those sports films that is more than about sports. It transcends athletics and delves deeply into world politics and human rights. Nelson Mandela who learned so many universal truths to heart in his long prison exile, learned another in that nothing on earth can unite people like sports. He may have learned that by knowing something of the life of Jackie Robinson who when he integrated American Major League Baseball found that racial differences could be bridged easier than you would imagine by fans with the common interest of seeing that Brooklyn Dodger team win.

If such for a borough of the City of New York how much greater for the South African nation ruled so long by an evil doctrine of separatist White Supremacy. The black majority was now asserting itself, but Mandela did not want to preside over a nation of vengeance. The previously all white Springbok Rugby team, now integrated could unite the nation if it won the World Cup in that sport.

So Mandela personally interested himself in that idea and recruited the Springbok player/coach in his crusade. Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon who played Mandela and the coach Francois Pienaar made a dream happen and had blacks and whites behind the Springboks in their quest.

Two things that American audiences might have trouble grasping is that in the Mandela cabinet as in many other countries there is such a thing as a Minister of Sports. Our athletics in America are far more a private institution, that is unheard of in the USA. We might have a State Athletic Commission for boxing and other violent type sports that are mostly concerned with athletic safety. But that wasn't even always the case.

And of course Rugby football is not played here. I have a young friend from South Africa who just scoffs at our National Football League and all the protective gear those guys wear. American audiences weaned on Monday Night Football seeing these Rugby players in sneakers, shorts and team jerseys playing it as rough as the NFL might get a bit of culture shock.

Clint Eastwood as director had a marvelous eye for the time of history he was filming and for the culture of South Africa. But he was best at handling his actors as Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon received Best Actor and Supporting Actor nominations for their roles. If there is a fault with Invictus it is that these two so dominate the film that no other characters really develop. But these are two who can hold an audience's attention.

For a really compelling film about one of the great men of the last and current century and the time he lived in, you must absolutely see and be informed and educated by Invictus.

Sports films usually leave me cold; I never watch sport in real life so watching it in film holds no appeal for me. However, this story of rugby in South Africa in the early 1990s holds plenty of appeal, thanks to expert direction from Clint Eastwood and an excellent performance from Morgan Freeman who embodies the spirit and persona of Nelson Mandela. It's the political backdrop that makes the sport interesting, and INVICTUS is a great film to watch as a result.

The cinematography is particularly proficient here; I had the pleasure of watching this in high definition and it's a beautiful film to look at. Eastwood is on top form. The material is a little weaker, failing to explore the complexities of the situation and sinking into schmaltz at various points; Eastwood can't avoid evoking some sentimentality in scenes of stirring music playing and whites and blacks working together. It's not as bad as in something like VOLCANO, but it's there, and it's a bit condescending. Still, Matt Damon's on board and delivers another solid turn, and even the hardest of hearts will find much to enjoy here.