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Invictus is a 2009 sports drama film directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, and Tony Kgoroge. The film tells the inspiring true story of how newly elected South African President Nelson Mandela (Freeman) teams up with the captain of the national rugby team, Francois Pienaar (Damon), to unite their country through the sport and inspire their fellow citizens to transcend political and racial divisions.

The story is set in post-apartheid South Africa, where Mandela has just been released after 27 years of imprisonment and is now the country's first black president. He inherits a nation deeply divided and burdened by the scars of racism and violence. In an effort to heal the wounds of the past and build a better future for all, Mandela sees an opportunity in the upcoming Rugby World Cup, which South Africa is hosting for the first time.

With the country still largely segregated and the black population deeply resentful of the mostly-white rugby team, Mandela senses a chance to bring people together around a common goal. He reaches out to Pienaar, the captain of the national team which has a poor record on the field and is considered a long shot to win the tournament. But Mandela believes that if they can unite the country behind the team, they can achieve something far greater than just a sporting victory.

In the face of immense pressure and relentless criticism from the media and his own supporters, Pienaar rises to the challenge and becomes inspired by Mandela's vision. He leads his team on a remarkable journey of self-discovery, camaraderie, and determination, that culminates in a nail-biting final against the fierce rivals, the New Zealand All Blacks.

The film captures the suspense and drama of the Rugby World Cup, with thrilling scenes of games, training, and locker-room pep talks. But more importantly, it portrays the human drama behind the sport and the power of leadership, courage, and compassion in bringing diverse people together to achieve a common goal.

Freeman delivers a standout performance as Mandela, capturing both the charisma and the deep humanity of the legendary leader. Damon also shines as Pienaar, portraying the rugby captain's evolution from a privileged and sheltered athlete to a visionary and empathetic leader.

But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Invictus is its portrayal of South Africa's journey of reconciliation and healing after decades of violence and oppression. The film shows how Mandela's philosophy of forgiveness, empathy, and non-violent change can inspire a nation and transform even the most ingrained prejudices and fears.

Overall, Invictus is a moving and uplifting film that celebrates the triumph of the human spirit over adversity and division. As Mandela famously said, "sport has the power to change the world", and this film is a testament to that truth.

Invictus is a 2009 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 13 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 74.