Invictus

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. 

~ William Ernest Henley 

The poem which inspired and encouraged Nelson Mandela when he was imprisoned for 27 years. 

Based on the story of Nelson Mandela and the South African rugby team who won the World Cup in 1995, this was an inspiring movie, of which the name of the show was a reference to the poem, meaning "unconquerable".

I don't normally watch films that link to sports, but this was different. It talks of the struggle of South Africa after the long civil unrest to rise up. Under the leadership and vision of Mandela, Mandela managed to use the rugby team, which rose from a despised team (they were associated with the previous government) to become the nation's pride, to build a united nation (putting political differences aside) and make South Africa shine.That's how sport should be isn't it, nothing political, just good sportsmanship and working together, putting aside differences. And as it was said, everyone needs inspiration. And with inspiration comes motivation.

I enjoyed the show because of its nature, a not-too-badly done biography. The actors were good and the scale! There were the funny parts too, though they were usually part of an underlying context of something more serious, like the tension between the previous government and Mandela's. I liked the part when they started doing their PR stint leading up to the World Cup, which brought them to this village to do coach clinic with the kids there. It was moving. Also, I couldn't help but find myself shuffling in my seat, getting excited over the game, cheering (inside).

However, I did feel that the movie could do more. Can't put my finger on it, but maybe a bit richer in bringing out the characters. But it was a good attempt. There was a song that kind of felt out-of-place though. The lyrics were fine but somehow, it somehow didn't fit in with the rest of the music or South Africa. I think I'll give the show a 4 out of 5.

On a side note, I think the air in the GV Plaza cinemas must be really bad. Every time I step inside it, I could straightaway feel it irritating my airway. They need to clean the cinemas better. That's why I sometimes don't like to go to GV cinemas except for the newer ones.