Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

"It is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

2013 2h 21m EN

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6.9

SOLID

★6.9TMDB · 592

DramaHistory

Synopsis

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A chronicle of Nelson Mandela's life journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.

“It is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Idris Elba
Nelson Mandela
Naomie Harris
Winnie Madikizela
Tony Kgoroge
Walter Sisulu
Riaad Moosa
Ahmed Kathrada
Fana Mokoena
Govan Mbeki
Robert Hobbs
Chief Warder
Jamie Bartlett
James Gregory
Lindiwe Matshikiza
Zindzi Mandela

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Justin Chadwick
Writers: William Nicholson
Languages: English, Afrikaans, Xhosa
Countries: France, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Earned back only 80% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 13 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 3 languages: English, Afrikaans, Xhosa.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 4 countries: France, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Justin Chadwick, shot by Lol Crawley. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Alex Heffes. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Rick Russell shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Idris Elba and Naomie Harris and Tony Kgoroge carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Justin Chadwick directs. Lol Crawley behind the camera. Alex Heffes scores. Rick Russell cuts. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in France, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. Dialogue in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Earned back only 80% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
2Released 13 years ago.
3Dialogue crosses 3 languages: English, Afrikaans, Xhosa.
4International production across 4 countries: France, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America.
5Directed by Justin Chadwick, shot by Lol Crawley. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Alex Heffes. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Rick Russell shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Idris Elba and Naomie Harris and Tony Kgoroge carry the top of the cast.
9Marketing tagline: "It is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.".
10IMDB entry: tt2304771 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Lol Crawley
Original score: Alex Heffes
Editing: Rick Russell
Production design: Johnny Breedt
Costume design: Ruy Filipe
Makeup / hair: Duncan Jarman
Stunt coordinator: John Smith
Runtime: 141 min · 2h 21m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $35,000,000
Box office: $27,985,788
Return: 80% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG-13
IMDB: Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013)

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Justin Chadwick

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What people are saying

DanDare2017-02-24
★ 8/10
Mandela: Long walk to Freedom is a straightforward biography which condenses Nelson Mandela's life without too many metaphors which pervades biopics these days. However at times too much of Mandela's life seems to be rushed through and other associates in the ANC's struggle to end apartheid are sidelined or entirely absent. We first see Mandela as the young ambitious lawyer and a ladies man as well. Pretty soon he is married with children and involved heavily with the African National Congress. He divorces his first wife and then we switch to Mandela in his 40s when he meets Winnie who he married. Mandela is then arrested for terrorism and imprisoned in Robben island. It is only during imprisonment we see the divergence in Nelson and and Winnie's life. Because of her mistreatment by the police Winnie becomes more extreme in her struggle and resorts to violent means to end apartheid. The older Mandela is in secret talks with the government and opts for a peaceful way to unite South Africa. Idris Elba relishes the opportunity to play the great man. He gets the voice right but I thought he was far more comfortable as the older Nelson Mandela. Naomi Harris also comes across better as the older and more bitter Winnie Mandela. If you want to know more about Nelson Mandela then this is the film for you.

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