Idris Elba

Naomie Harris

Tony Kgoroge

Riaad Moosa

Fana Mokoena

Robert Hobbs

Jamie Bartlett

Lindiwe Matshikiza

Terry Pheto

Deon Lotz

Thapelo Mokoena

Zolani Mkiva

Simo Mogwaza

David Butler

Gys de Villiers

Atandwa Kani

Albert Pretorius

Zikhona Sodlaka

Ndoni Khanyile

Warrick Grier

Presley Chweneyagae

Justin Chadwick

William Nicholson

David M. Thompson

Lol Crawley

Rick Russell

Anant Singh

Alex Heffes

Ruy Filipe

Moonyeenn Lee

Diana Cilliers

The Edge

Paul Donachie

Harvey Weinstein

Simon Rhodes

Barrie Gower

Ben Meechan

Duncan Jarman

Drama

History

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Videovision Entertainment

Film Afrika

Distant Horizon

National Empowerment Fund

Origin Pictures

Pathé

Revolt Films

The Weinstein Company

Yucaipa Films

France

South Africa

United Kingdom

United States of America

Mandela: Long walk to Freedom is a straightforward biography which condenses Nelson Mandela's life without too many metaphors which pervades biopics these days. However at times too much of Mandela's life seems to be  rushed through and other associates in the ANC's struggle to end apartheid are sidelined or entirely absent.

We first see Mandela as the young ambitious lawyer and a  ladies man as well. Pretty soon he is married with children and involved heavily with the African National Congress. He divorces his first wife and then we switch to Mandela in his 40s when he meets Winnie who he married.

Mandela is then arrested for terrorism and imprisoned in Robben island.

It is only during imprisonment we see the divergence in Nelson and and Winnie's life. Because of her mistreatment by the police Winnie becomes more extreme in her struggle and resorts to violent means to end apartheid. The older Mandela is in secret talks with the government and opts for a peaceful way to unite South Africa.

Idris Elba relishes the opportunity to play the great man. He gets the voice right but I thought he was far more comfortable as the older Nelson Mandela. Naomi Harris also comes across better as the older and more bitter Winnie Mandela.

If you want to know more about Nelson Mandela then this is the film for you.

English

Afrikaans

Mandela - Official Trailer - Pathe

Official Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom UK Teaser Trailer