Watch Interviews with Nelson Mandela

Interviews with Nelson Mandela is a compelling television documentary focused on the political career and personal life of South African anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, who was released from prison in 1990 after 27 years. This 50-minute special was produced by MacNeil/Lehrer Productions in 1990, shortly after Mandela was released from prison, and is a collection of insightful interviews with Mandela, his family, and his colleagues.

The program is an excellent and authentic retrospective of Mandela's life, a man who was considered a living legend and an inspiration to many, and who devoted his life to fighting for justice, human rights, and equality in South Africa. The interviews provide a unique insight and a glimpse into Mandela's personality and his strategic thinking, as well as his history, core beliefs, and vision for South Africa.

Interviews with Nelson Mandela commences with a brief historical overview of South Africa under apartheid and the human rights abuses that disproportionately affected Black South Africans. The documentary then delves into Mandela's early years and his rise as a young lawyer and a leader in the African National Congress (ANC), which fought against apartheid.

Through the interviews, the documentary explores Mandela's political journey and his involvement in the activities of the ANC, which eventually led to his arrest and incarceration for 27 years. The program features interviews with Mandela's family members, including his daughter, Zenani, and his wife, Winnie, that provide personal insight into Mandela's life, and his courage to fight for social justice, even while imprisoned.

The conversations with Mandela's comrades and fellow activists in the ANC, including his lawyer George Bizos, Govan Mbeki, and Ahmed Kathrada, also offer valuable insights into Mandela's leadership, his unwavering determination, and his non-negotiable principles.

The documentary also examines the role of international allies in the struggle against apartheid and includes exclusive footage of Mandela's famous visit to the United States in 1990. Here, we see Mandela addressing crowds on the steps of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. This footage is interspersed throughout the film along with moving images of Mandela's homecoming to Soweto.

Mandela's principles of forgiveness and reconciliation in the aftermath of the dismantling of apartheid are also explored, with the program examining not only the potential for healing within South Africa but also the obstacles to that healing.

Overall, Interviews with Nelson Mandela is a powerful and refreshing documentary that sheds light on one of the most inspiring leaders of our time. It presents an excellent overview of Mandela's life and career, and provides viewers with valuable insights into his personality, leadership style, and unwavering commitment to social justice.

The program features a range of diverse interviewees who share stories and insights about Mandela from different perspectives. Interviews with Nelson Mandela not only captures Nelson Mandela's spirit and bravery but also demonstrates how his impact on the world extends far beyond his political career.

Interviews with Nelson Mandela is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between February 16, 1990 and on MacNeil/Lehrer Productions