Oscar Watch: Part Five

When the previews for Invictus came out in early December of last year, I thought “Eh, just another sports movie…except it’s about a sport I know nothing about (Rugby)… and has a title which I can’t pronounce (‘cause it’s Latin), so how good can it be, really” - thus completely dismissing its relevance.

That is, until I saw that both Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon had been nominated for Oscars. Naturally, this piqued my interest, so I read some about it. When I discovered it was directed by Clint Eastwood, I was sold.

Invictus is a biographical drama based on the life of Nelson Mandela after his release from prison. The film focuses on his election as South African President and his struggles to bring about the end of apartheid.

One of his greatest successes in this struggle involved the South African National Rugby Union team, The Springboks and their participation in the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

For many years, the non-whites of South Africa rooted against their national team. They saw it as a constant reminder of racial prejudice. Despite their misgivings about keeping the team name and colors once he was elected President, Mandela convinced the powers that be not to change names and colors as that would only fuel fears, but rather change their attitudes and unite as a country to support their team.

Mandela also worked to change the attitude of the team itself, by inviting Springbok’s captain, François Pienaar (Matt Damon) to tea. He shares with Pienaar a poem by William Ernest Hensley called Invictus (which means “unconquered”), which helped sustain him during his 27 years in prison.

Pienaar too becomes inspired by the poem and in turn inspires and encourages his team to take the steps necessary to start bridging the racial gaps. The team becomes involved in the community and its youth, and in turn, the community begins supporting the team.



Invictus is a story of unity and triumph, about struggle and learning. It’s about tolerating differences and overcoming adversity. It is brilliantly portrayed and the performances by Freeman and Damon are outstanding.

I just have one question to pose… Who did Clint Eastwood tick off in the “Hollywood Establishment” to not even garner a nomination for Best Picture? So far, I have seen a few of the nominees for the category, and I must say, this film is head and shoulders above most of those. It’s a real shame it’s not getting the recognition it deserves. Hopefully, others will be intrigued by the nominations of Freeman and Damon enough to want to see this inspirational film…Those who do, will be glad they did.



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.