Invictus Movie about Nelson Mandela and Poem by William Ernest Henley.

We saw the movie Invictus yesterday. This movie about a small segment of Nelson Mandela’s life starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon and directed by Clint Eastwood,  had all the makings of a very good movie.

Interesting that there is nothing about Nelson Mandela in our old World Book Encyclopedia (last copyright date 1985). That is telling. Mandela spent most of his young adulthood in prison for fighting Apartheid. Once released, he led the movement for voting reform to allow all races to vote in political elections. This movie begins with the South African presidential election, and he becomes the first black president of South Africa. I thought that an interesting parallel to our own first black president.

The movie takes place in the early nineties and especially the 1995 World Cup Rugby tournament in South Africa. The movie had a lot of rugby playing as the backdrop for healing. Evidently the team was an example of Apartheid, mostly white players with one black player. The team went from being unpopular to being counted on to bring not only a team together, but also a country.  Mandela saw the impact of the World Cup on the World and used his power and the team’s skills to remove the walls of color. He influenced the team’s captain to share his vision.

I liked the movie and the message, however I would have liked to see more about Nelson Mandela’s life. If you read in between the lines and scenes you did get that he was lonely, sad, and compassionate. He saw a world of fear, unrest and conflict and wanted to heal it in some way. His healing mission took him away from his family, as happens often with humans on the path to enlightenment. The bigger picture, the larger world, their huge vision of healing, enhances a feeling that the world is their family and their own family will have to survive without them. If family members share in the larger vision, perhaps later they can see that their parent offered something greater than creating a nuclear family but rather creating a world where families are united. Mandela taught love, forgiveness, letting go of fear, and motivated others to think beyond their own body. But in an effort to heal the world in his way, he was also calling out to be forgiven and to be loved.

This movie stimulated me to want to read more about this man. He is now living quietly in retirement.

The title of the movie was based on the poem Invictus.

Invictus by William Ernest Henley.

Comments

[[email protected]]

This came from a friend of mine who now lives in Cape Town, South Africa

Dear Mary,

You wrote a very nice piece about Invictus, I haven't yet seen the movie but I do know the story. I was following it as it happened. Rugby was the sport of the white man and football (soccer) the sport of the black man. When the rugby team began winning Mandela saw it as a way of bringing the country together and encourage everyone to feel national pride as one country, one people. It was extremely successful and hopefully I will be here to witness it again this year during the world soccer cup tournament in June. The South African team doesn't have a chance of winning but the people are really proud of the fact that it is being held in South Africa (we have 8 games here in Cape Town in one of the new stadia).

If you would really like to learn more about how the country came together instead of having a revolution you should read about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission chaired by Archbishop Tutu. Mandela decided that there should be no retribution for the many political crimes and atrocities committed, during the Apartheid years, as it wouldn't solve any of the country's problems. The Commission was set-up so that the perpetrators on both sides could admit to their crimes, tell their stories (some of them were horrendous) and tell what happened to their victims (many of them had disappeared) and to answer the families questions so that they could finally feel closure. The perpetrators had to ask the families for forgiveness and the families could say yes or no. I watched several videos on the topic and at times Tutu cried, the stories were extremely moving and the people involved were remarkable. Forgiveness or 'Umbuntu' is part of the culture, I don't think I could do what they did but Mandela set the example. I really think it would be of great interest to you as it is all about forgiveness and bringing closure to the past and moving forward.

Take care,
Margaret

[[email protected]]

My friend Margaret sent a correction to a spelling. So interesting. Thank you Margaret, for your comments.

Dear Mary,

The spelling of Imbuntu is incorrect it should be:
Ubuntu (philosophy) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ubuntu is an ethic or humanist philosophy focusing on people's allegiances and ... The concept of ubuntu is viewed the same in Zimbabwe as in other African ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_(philosophy) - Cached - Similar -

[Chanel Bags]

Thanks so much for posting these, they are fantastic! So bummed I missed what looks like a truly unique evening.

[Nelson_mandela_]

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. www.twitter.com/nelson_mandela_

[Heartpathcoach]

Thank you Mary for blogging about this powerful movie and even more powerful leader who has impacted not just South Africa but the whole world. One of my hero's! I LOVED Invictus both the movie and poem! Mainly because I too yearn to hear more about Nelson Mandela.

The ability to see the big picture and trust a higher order for mankind is and was truly amazing!

Thanks Margaret for recommending reading Truth and Reconciliation Commission. I'm familiar with this and it's good to re-read the success forgiveness has even with horrendous crimes. The truth shall set us free!

Love is the answer. Forgiveness is one of the most powerful gifts. It begins with me...for I too "am the master of my fate and the captain of my soul"!

Thank you Nelson Mandela for all you have forgiven in order to be the vessel to lead a nation and world to rise above hatred to something much much more. You have impacted so many lives just by living yours!

[Rona Caliliw]

It is a meaningful MOVIE AND POEM!I Salute it!