I decided to watch this documentary as a result of my recent visit to South Africa. Now I knew that Nelson Mandela was loved in his country--but this trip revealed to me a level of adoration that most Americans would never suspect. To compare his adoration to our love of George Washington isn't adequate--the feelings for him FAR exceed that. In fact, when folks we talked to discussed the man (regardless of their race), there was such strong feeling about him that we couldn't help but be affected. The same would go for sites such as his old home in Soweto--it was more like a shrine than a famous man's home. Quite simply, he's seen as a man of extreme greatness--the man who prevented his nation from turning to chaos and retribution following the fall of the pro-Apartheid white government.
The film begins with Clint Eastwood and others talking about Mandela's influence in unifying the country during the nation's participation in the international rugby tournament held in South Africa. Then, it backs up--heading to Mandela's involvement in the push for human rights during the 1950s and 60s. It is interesting to note that very, very little about Mandela's life before his imprisonment on Robben Island was discussed--very little. This really isn't meant as a biography of the man--more a discussion of his life in prison (27 years) but mostly the post-Apartheid world after his release. Then, later in the film, it returns to where the film began--in a lengthy discussion of Mandela and the Rugby World Cup of 1995. In fact, much of the film seemed like a making of featurette about the film "Invictus" and I really wish it had been more about Mandela himself and his life story. Fortunately, the final portion about reconciliation and forgiveness was great--and I would have liked more of this. Much of Mandela's presidency was pretty much ignored--the successful and the unsuccessful. Well worth watching but this surely can't be the best biography of this great man! I'd like to see something much more comprehensive. And, by the way, Mandela himself was not interviewed for film but his daughter and many others were (such as ex-President De Klerk).
Finally, my advice for you is to visit this lovely country. I was surprised just how well is was functioning considering only a short time ago it was in chaos. They still have a very long way to go (such as dealing with poverty and the severe AIDS crisis), but I saw a lot of reason for hope when I visited and I can't wait to return.
