Review of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013) by James W — 22 Jun 2014

A very powerful film filled with triumph, heart, devastation and motivation to overcome difficult odds, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom tells the journey of Mandela's birth, becoming a man, rising into power and then his prison sentence, and the collapse of society outside his imprisonment.

My only criticism of this film is that fact that Justin Chadwick builds up scenes then cuts away almost immediately, especially during courtroom scenes he builds them up giving the impression there will be some interesting conversation and tension but before anything is said the scenes cuts away, I wanted more. Whilst this next bit isn't a criticism, the length is unnecessary, 146 minutes. It could've been twenty minutes shorter, but this film flew by in pace otherwise and it's thoroughly absorbing and harrowing, especially during the shootings, attacks and the way the prison treats it's inmates.

Director Justin Chadwick makes you feel everything here, despair to happiness and terror and sadness and boy it's effective, his camerawork is fluid and I love the sunbaked cinematography, it's a gorgeous looking film and built on emotion and power. Then there's the performances which are utterly astonishing, Idris Elba and Naomie Harris fill the screen with authority and realism, fully realising their characters and bringing them to life especially when giving the speeches, no one could've done better in these roles, it's no wonder Elba and Harris are two of my favourite actors.

Mandela has opened to mixed reviews and disappointing box office return, it's a shame because this is a wonderful movie, one that explores the life and times of the icon himself, Mandela, in such a magnificent manner and style.