Invictus opens with Morgan Freeman as Mandela

Remember that powerful moment in 1995 when Nelson Mandela strode out on to the field at Loftus Versveld in Francois Pienaar’s rugby jersey. Then came John Carlin''s book, Invictus: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Made a Nation.

Now there is Clint Eastwood''s adaptation for the silver screen.
Directed by: Clint Eastwood executive producer: Morgan freeman
Cast:Morgan Freeman as Mandela Matt Damon As Francios Pienaar, Marguerite Wheatley as Francios Pienaar's wife.

Film critics are already predicting that the movie will earn Freeman an Oscar. "I studied him; I had close access to him," he says of Mandela, whom he describes "a friend". "Not only was I able to look at tapes and get mannerisms and the walk, I was able to sit and hold his hand and talk to him." Freeman says one of the challenges of accurately portraying Mr Mandela was learning how to speak like him.

"Nobody else sounds like him it's a very distinctive voice, so I had to work on that," says Morgan Freeman.

The title Invictus comes from a poem by William Ernest Henley which Mr Mandela is said to have memorised during his years imprisoned on Robben Island.

Invictus: By William Ernest Henley
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.