I didn't really want to see Invictus, but it was free and I figured it would be one of those movies that was super hyped so I should go before the hype began. I am so glad that I did.
The movie begins in 1990 with Nelson Mandela's release from prison and quickly covers the years until he is elected President of South Africa in 1994. The basis of the movie is Mandela's use of the Springbots, the South African rugby team, to bring a very divided country together. Freeman does a brilliant job as Mandela and while the accents aren't quite right (I was told by a South African), the entire cast is believable in the roles. Matt Damon has buffed up noticeably and the movie does a good job of balancing political commentary with actual rugby play. It sounds cliche to say that the movie is inspiring, but I think it is hard not to walk out of this movie with a sense of purpose to live a better life and be a better person.
As far as the title, "Invictus" is a short poem by the English poet William Ernest Henley published in 1875. Invictus is Latin for "unconquered".
Trivia: Timothy McVeigh chose this as his final statement.
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
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