Mandela : Long Walk To Freedom (2013) 7/10

Starring : Idris Elba, Naomie Harris
Director : Justin Chadwick
Running Time : 142 mins

Telling the life of Nelson Mandela (Elba), from his early years as a lawyer in 1940s South Africa when he was forced to resort to joining the armed resistance against the tyrannical system of Apartheid which posed no protection for blacks, to his life imprisonment for treason. His stoic manner in facing his punishment becomes a symbol to the world, and his cause soon opens the eyes of the world powers.

This movie wasn’t bad, but it did have a limited focus. I would have loved to have seen more of Mandela’s childhood, and not get so caught up in the events that led to his imprisonment, although those are the events he is most famous for. There is little about his time as president, and if anything this doesn’t give enough detail about why the resistance group he joined finally gave up on peaceful ways and turned to violence. The acting in this movie isn’t that impressive either, considering the two leads are usually so good, and it might be a case that another writer or director could have done a better job with this epic story..

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