Invictus

Name: Invictus
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Sport
Released: December 11, 2009
Duration: 134 min
Rating: 74
Cast: Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman

2009

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 218 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 218 Ratings

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Invictus

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: December 11, 2009 | PG-13

Starring: Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman

Summary: Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match. (Warner Bros.)

Director: Clint Eastwood

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History, Sport

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 134 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

A.O. Scott

It’s an exciting sports movie, an inspiring tale of prejudice overcome and, above all, a fascinating study of political leadership. Read full review

Claudia Puig

Invictus, which is Latin for "unconquered," gives the poem several meanings in the context of the film. It also applies to Eastwood, who, as one of America's greatest storytellers, finds enthralling tales and fashions them with finesse and an indomitable spirit. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

Inspirational on the face of it, Clint Eastwood's film has a predictable trajectory, but every scene brims with surprising details that accumulate into a rich fabric of history, cultural impressions and emotion. Read full review

Mike Scott

Not only does Invictus tell a remarkable story of a remarkable man, but it also illustrates how sports can be a salve to a wounded community. And that's something New Orleanians can certainly appreciate. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

It's never less than worthy and entertaining, but the importance of Invictus doesn't broaden as it goes along. It narrows. Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Narratively, we all know where the trajectory of the story is headed, thus the culminating match (nearly 20 minutes) takes up too much screen time without adding anything new to the drama. Read full review

Dana Stevens

As a non-South African, I can't speak to the accuracy of the movie's racial politics, but they feel insultingly vague. Read full review

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User Reviews

RossW

May 17, 2010

Excellent movie. Well done!

2 of 3 users found this helpful

EnzoP.

Dec 21, 2009

Invictus has to be the best sports movie of the year, it's hard not to like the film with its great actors and inspiring story. I saw it on a boring Monday afternoon with a friend who was playing doodle jump on his Ipod Touch (fun game I recommend it) most of the time but he still Invictus has to be the best sports movie of the year, it's hard not to like the film with its great actors and inspiring story. I saw it on a boring Monday afternoon with a friend who was playing doodle jump on his Ipod Touch (fun game I recommend it) most of the time but he still liked the parts of the movie that he actually watched. I wasn't expecting the rating I gave it especially because from the critics only one gave it 100. When the movie was over I wasn't sure whether to give this movie a 9 or 10. It would either be close to a 10 but not quite there or a 10 that just made it. So I chose 10 just because of thinking about the errors of the movie. Not many but the reason why it was so close was because most aspects of the film were good not great. For example the big stars in this movie were Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. The both acted good not great because it wasn't that hard of a role to act in. Sure Morgan Freeman had to change his voice and I give him credit for that but what was so hard about Matt's character. All he had to do was gain muscles that he already has. After thinking about this film I don't think their were any errors really just most of the aspects of the movie were just good. The are many things I admire about this movie but one of them truly stands out. That is that there is not a lot to hate about this movie. I mean I am still trying to think of something stupid about this film. There is nothing and I am not sure why people did not like this movie. Overall great film take my word for it see this movie it is freakin awesome.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JuneH.

Jan 23, 2010

Very inspiring.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

KenG

Jan 7, 2010

Works better as an interesting history lesson, and a glimpse of the greatness that is Nelson Mandela, than it does as a sports movie, or than it does as an inspiring/poignant/feel good story. Morgan Freeman is excellent. Matt Damon is merely ok.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

r96sk

Feb 11, 2022

A little bit hit-and-miss, though 'Invictus' still manages to produce the requirements for a solid sports drama.

Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon are two actors I enjoy a lot, but by the end of this 2009 film I was a tad underwhelmed by them. Freeman as Nelson Mandela sounds great on paper,A little bit hit-and-miss, though 'Invictus' still manages to produce the requirements for a solid sports drama.

Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon are two actors I enjoy a lot, but by the end of this 2009 film I was a tad underwhelmed by them. Freeman as Nelson Mandela sounds great on paper, but in reality you kinda lose what makes Freeman so great - his voice, given he has to act with a South African accent. He still does a good job nevertheless, I just don't think I'll remember this particular portrayal of Mandela - unlike Idris Elba's attempt in 2013's 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom'.

The merging of the two plot points - politics and rugby union - is done well, though the former is easily more interesting than the latter... and I say that as someone who loves sport and dislikes politics!

It's one that is worth a watch, it just didn't give me anything to remember.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

J-Shap

Aug 28, 2011

Ultimately surrenders the depth and conflict of South African race relations to a sports game, which is disappointing given the performances by Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman, and the direction by Clint Eastwood.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JasonJ.

Jan 26, 2010

They cheated and gave the All Blicks food posening. Shame on Cint for making such an untruth. its like making a movies where the enigma code was cracked by the yanks in WW2.

0 of 2 users found this helpful

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78	#78 Best Movie of 2009
54	#54 Most Discussed Movie of 2009