Invictus (15)

It's a transformation that included a critique of revenge in Unforgiven and jingoism in Flag Of My Fathers before he decided to take his curtain call as an actor in the anti-vigilante film Gran Torino.

Now, having declared himself free of his political past, he's shifted his sights to post-apartheid South Africa to produce and direct Invictus - a homage to Mandela based upon John Carlin's book Playing The Enemy.

And who better to play the "terrorist" who graduated after 27 years in jail to become the father of the nation than Morgan Freeman, since he too has become something of an elder statesman.

But this is not the whole story because the film specifically relates to Mandela's adoption of the 1995 Rugby World Cup Finals to try to convince Afrikaners that they could trust his promise of negotiation and reconciliation.

This necessitated ensuring the rugby-playing Afrikaners and their precious Springboks could keep their green and gold colours in the promised Rainbow alliance.

Getting Captain Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon) on side was crucial, since he and the team reflect the changing attitude towards "Mandiba," including introducing their first black player Chester Williams.

Naturally, Mandela has to deal with hostile reactions within his own ranks including his PA (Brenda Mazibuku), bodyguard (Tony Kgorage) and daughter Zindzi (Bonnie Henna).

This might have developed into a political parable on the problems of the anti-apartheid struggle had it been fleshed out further, especially since the assassination of Communist Chris Hani in 1993 provoked serious divisions.

Sadly, the film suddenly mutates into a superior sports movie, with Mandela exploiting every opportunity to be seen supporting the team up to the final against the mighty All-Blacks.

You might imagine that Mandela acted without the ANC, COSATU and the South African Communist Party who conceived of the original Freedom Charter.

That's because it has become axiomatic to paint a reverential portrait of Mandela as a man moulded more along the lines of Gandhi than Marx and we can't have the world thinking our Nelson was a commie.

Still, despite the increasing distortions, it might help educate a few about basic human rights along the way.

A great performance by Freeman, despite his accent. Should win him and the ever-green Eastwood a gong or three.

GREAT: Morgan

Freeman as Mandela