In Invictus (based on John Carlin’s book “Playing the Enemy”), director Clint Eastwood continues his award-winning approach to filmmaking using the underdog-sports-movie to examine the complexities of one of the most revered leaders of the 20th century: Nelson Mandela.

Following 27 years of imprisonment, Mandela (the always graceful Freeman) is elected in 1994 to lead a sharply divided South Africa, burdened with the task of ‘balancing black aspirations with white fears’. In an inspired move for reconciliation, Mandela seizes upon the fortunes of the South African rugby team, the Springboks. Despite their status as a despised green-and-gold symbol of white Afrikaner culture amongst blacks, Mandela recognises that sports can be a unifying force to empower his nation.

With South Africa set to host the 1995 Rugby World Cup, and the Springboks tipped to fail miserably, Mandela strikes up an unlikely alliance with Springbok captain Francois Pienaar (Damon). Subtly insisting that Pienaar lead his squad to victory, with its implications for the newly integrated South Africa, each man endures the substantial political and physical toll that Mandela’s gamble places upon them.

For those who follow rugby, the result is a foregone conclusion. Eastwood, however, provides a superb sports film that doubles as an intimate character study of a truly remarkable politician and human being. Despite his attachment to predictable storytelling, Invictus reminds us again of the directorial genius that comes with more than 50 years in the filmmaking business.