MANDELA LONG WALK TO FREEDOM

SYNOPSIS -The story of Nelson Mandel's long struggle against the South African government One can imagine that actor Idris Elba might have felt a little nervous when taking on the role of one of the world’s most inspirational leaders. Any doubts are not evident in his performance which captures the zeal and determination that made Mandela such an effective leader. Equalling Elba in his performance is Naomie Harris as his second wife Winnie. Both performers play off each other well their idealistic youth giving way to a strained marriage. Visually the film jumps between stunning beauty and visceral savagery; on the one hand the spectacular South African countryside and on the other the city filled with tanks riots and soldiers. No one can deny that the film does its best to show the horrors of apartheid (and the riots that marked its death throes) but it’s surprising to me that the film is rated 12 as there are several scenes with civilians being shot down - including children. Fitting in with this is one of the best uses of news photos in a film, the director letting the stark images speak for themselves. Another credit for the film is its bare-all approach rather than gloss over any of the problems in Mandela’s personal life (e.g. his first marriage) - these are shown and nor are his own failings in these areas glossed over. I like this approach as I think it helps present Mandela as a real flesh and blood human being rather than a caricature or saintly icon. The main problem with the long walk to freedom is trying to condense a man’s entire life and career, inevitably some things feel rushed and skipped over. As the film winds down this become more pronounced with scenes feeling a little loosely strung together. It might have been more advisable to end at a certain period in his life rather than try and cram the whole thing in. FINAL VERDICT 7/10 an excellent humanising depiction of a larger than life figure.