UPDATE: Thanks to Alex Billington at FirstShowing for letting us borrow the embeddable trailer.
No embed yet, but you can see it here in various QuickTime sizes.
The months of blind speculation are over. Now that we can get a solid feel for the style and tone of the film, I’m happy to say it looks as polished and inspiring as anything we might have hoped for. I’m still processing what we’re seeing here, but my first impression blows away any previous uncertainty. Absolutely stands among the best trailers we’ve seen this Fall.
67 Responses for "Invictus trailer"
looks interesting. but we waited soo long for this trailer and i wasnt really off the wall excited from it.
I’ve had a feeling that this is going to be a great movie. The story is so amazing by itself, and putting my cynical cap on, would appeal to many Academy voters. Sport as a healer of a wounded society, and the first real Mandela movie, Clint in the seat, all those themes of transcendence of difference through common endeavour, the nobility of these ideas, the transformative power of reconciliation. And at the heart of it all, a sports movie, about how the South Africa team, who were not the favourites to win, became the world champions of Rugby. Looking forward to it immensely.
Seriously? Among the best of the fall?
Maybe it’s just my natural aversion to anything Eastwood post-MDB, but it looks like saccharine shite.
The first Eastwood movie since Space Cowboys (with the exclusion of some of Changeling) to not be filmed primarily in cramped hallways and deep shadows? Looks pretty good. I’ve gotta say, though, Freeman seems to be having a hard time keeping to that accent.
Looks AMAZING. I’m so excited for all of the movies upcoming – maybe that’s because they haven’t been chewed up and spit out, or hyped to death by bloggers beforehand. Nine, Lovely Bones, Avatar and Invictus – four great projects I’m looking forward to.
Great trailer. What do I bet the film overlooks how New Zealand was robbed in the final?
“Maybe it’s just my natural aversion to anything Eastwood post-MDB, but it looks like saccharine shite.”
It would take a lot more sweetener than Clint Eastwood has ever dolloped out to turn the story of Mandela’s release, the fall of Apartheid, and a pile of sweaty men trying to unite a country into anything I’d call saccharine, Beau McCoy.
Morgan Freeman carries himself with too much dignity in these scenes for me to think “sentimental.” Freeman has rescued many a movie from a saccharine aftertaste because there’s nothing artificial about his flavorings.
I hope the rest of the screenplay isn’t as full of portentous cliches as the trailer is.
Plus I’m getting a little tired of Morgan Freeman’s nobelesse.
Could Eastwood tie William Wyler for having the most Best Picture winners?
Based solely on the trailer, no. I’m looking forward to screening reports.
when people have no respect for freeman or eastwood i dont understand whyd theyd even follow films in general
and i love to see you excited over movies sasha, its refreshing, but dont forget the road, i still have hope
and the oscar goes to… INVICTUS!… AND MATT DAMON… thats my conclusion after the trailer
Hmm, gotta say I’m actually pleased with this. After months of not hearing anything from this, it’s finally good to catch a glimpse of this film. I’ll keept at a distance until I’ve seen it.
Still think Up in the Air is the movie to beat but Invictus does look fantastic. I also think Matt Damon wins an Oscar for this.
I am not entirely convinced of Morgan Freeman’s accent. Since accent alone doesn’t make a performance, I am sure he’ll be great in the movie.
Hey, Brad from Ropes of Silicon is right on target.
Last week he predicted that a poster and soon after a trailer would surface since that was about the exact schedule they used for Gran Torino.
Hey, maybe two movies about the apartheid could get nominated this year.
That would be pretty neat.
Looks decent.
I have a great amount of respect and appreciation for Eastwood, and especially Freeman. However, I generally don’t enjoy Eastwood movies. I just don’t get excited about them at all.
but isn’t it so frustrating though when an actor (especially a GREAT actor) can’t do an accent correctly? it just undermines the whole performance.
Cliched, obvious and dull. Just like the script, in fact.
Oh I love Matt damon trailer movie day. It looks good, and even though i have been saying Damon didnt have a chance at supporting actor, im happy to say i was wrong.
Also, notice how in the poster Freeman’s profile is very Mandela but in the trailer he very much looks like Morgan Freeman?
Still, you don’t necessarily have to look like the person to embody them eg Frank Langella and Anthony Hopkins as Richard Nixon.
Meh.
Might be joyous and good, but based on the trailer, doesnt look great. We’ll see.
I think this movie will indeed surprise us all… for better or worse
I think I fell asleep…
but Damon looks hot.
And Hollywood’s Africaploitation continues…
I think Eastwood is one of the most soulful directors around, so I will give this a chance, but I wasnt convinced by the accents
This looks great. And I think everyone should stop railing on Freeman’s accent… do you even know what a right accent is? I think Freeman is really wonderful and thoroughly convincing in these clips.
“This is it. This is our Destiny”
…They really had to use a shared quote with Slumdog Millionaire in the trailer?
boring
This looks fantastic. Add this alongside Up In The Air, The Road, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus and Avatar to my most anticipatedof 09.
Loved the video, and it is def. one of the best of the fall. While it unveils the basic story of the film, does not give away the entire screenplay in its 2 minutes, much like, well, most other Hollywood trailers.
Loving the look. Clint always has the best cinematography for a more intimate approach. LOVING Matt Damon in this.
I’m surprised americans have yet to bully blogs and whatnot over the accents. I suppose that means they are accurate.
I am not one of those Clint Eastwood “meh” detrectors. Loved Million Dollar Baby, loved Gran Torino, found Letters of Iwo Jima great, he is certainly, this decade, in his prime.
But I do feel like it will be a stretch for a sports game – which this is as well – to get away with the Big One come Oscar night.
Director, Actor, Supporting, Script, Cinematography, Editing.. That might be in the bag now
T.
I’m with you arjay. I think we are well overdue for a movie about Mandela, but why this game? I am fairly sure there will be no scenes with ABs vomiting on the sidelines. Partially based on a true story, perhaps.
Gene Hackman, Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon?
Could be something.
I like the trailer, and I agree – one of the best of the fall.
Morgan Freeman’s accent is almost non-existent though. Not sure why they made that choice, but it already takes me out of the movie. I was afraid of this. Matt Damon’s accent is much better.
Oscar bait.
Matt Damon looks and sounds the part. Morgan Freeman however, doesn’t. Whilst I can’t say I recall off the top of my head what Nelson Mandela sounds like, I can guarantee he’s not the narrator of an infinite amount of films. It’d be a shame if he won for Best Actor for this.
I’m sorry, but you always can say what a Clint Eastwood film is going to look like – it’s a copy/paste of his previous films. And there is always this overblown pathos that I really can’t stand about his films. To me this trailer doesn’t make me excited. Not as excited as I was about seeing AN EDUCATION or PRECIOUS or even BRIGHT STAR.
Actingwise, I think Freeman could be in danger. There are too many great performances this year. And after all, I think the guy can’t surprise you anymore. A great actor, but everything he does now pales in comparison to his 80’s and early 90’s films.
Anyway, I think Freeman is possibly a contender, but what about best picture? They snubbed Eastwood last year (twice!) and they could do it again. This film just looks too Oscar-y, which always, always is a problem (remember Cold Mountain). And I think they got a bit tired of Clint.
It’s trying too hard, Ryan. It wants to Make A Statement rather than just live. Eastwood has this annoying trait of choosing material that pits ‘good vs. evil’ against one another. Characters are black and white, there is no grey area. The mother and the boxers at the gym in MDB, the children in GT; you cannot tell me that they felt like true living, breathing human beings. They were constructs, convoluted cliches existing solely to piss the audience off. I prefer ambiguity and internal conflict myself; his main characters have backstories and struggles and are, more often than not, the more interesting ones to watch, but its his supporting cast that tends to frustrate me. I don’t need to be told who’s who in relation to the storyline and whose side I should take.
There are too many Eastwood apologists out there right now, IMHO. ‘Flags of Our Fathers’ was god-awful, as was ‘Gran Torino’. ‘Mystic River’ had its moments, and admittedly I did feel the impact of ‘Million Dollar Baby’, but he is by no means one of our greatest directors. I’d like him to stretch himself by the projects that he chooses; choose a supernatural thriller, make another love story a la ‘Bridges’, do something different.
Judging from this trailer i have the same feeling about Freeman I had about streep in doubt,Damon seemed stronger to me but it is only a trailer,I always feel freeman plays freeman and does not dig deep into his character,all surface esp in the last 10 years,he got lazy.
Damon is the real lead, but gets to run as supporting. From this it looks like he’s getting the actual personal drama and character development.
You’re right Bob Burns. The preconceived notions about lead and supporting roles in Invictus are flipped upside in the actual story. That’s good news for Damon, but for Freeman it means he’s going held up to standards against much more important performances from other actors whose characters dominate their movies. He’s in the same situation as Meryl — famous real-life character who shares half the movie with a relatively unknown character who drives the plot.
After watching the trailer again, it looks like that in parts of the movie Damon is wearing a fake nose. That makes 3movies since Brothers Grim that this has happened…screw you Weinstein’s !!!
Just I watch the trailer… I’m so impressed by Damon, more than Freeman. I don’t like Eastwood, sorry, but I think Damon here looks magnificent!
Uhhhmm well, Damon looks good both actingwise and bodywise hehe. I had a hard time with the Freeman accent and all the cliche stuff. The accent thing may not be Freeman´s forte like Bale, Blanchett and Streep
Terra and arjay – this is my Kiwi husband’s concern. That there will be no mention of what happened to the All Blacks or how they were sickened. We’ll still be one of the first in line to see this though. I’m sure he’ll be near tears at the end and it will have nothing to do with Mandela’s story.
Can anyone say category fraud for Damon? And Freeman looks like he can’t handle the accent, but it looks just like it thought it would be…decent.
I don’t like Freeman as Mandela.
Looks great. Of course it’s inspiring negativity, because ugh, what doesn’t.
I am bored stiff by this trailer. I was hesitant when I heard the plot and now after seeing this, my suspicions were proved right.
Well, I love rugby and loathe Eastwood, so naturally I’ll see it and probably have middling feelings about it, but nothing here was particularly squicky. Might be decent.
I hope this movie is going to be good. I am usually a big fan of dark and depressing movies (LOL), but I am really rooting for this one. Sometimes a movies that has a positive and humane message might not be such a bad thing for the world. But I am expecting the Eastwood hate already starting this minute. Maybe more if he starts winning awards again.
I was kinda moved by the trailer. Yes, Freeman’s accent is suspicious, but Matt Damon is kicking ass as the captain. He really deserves to be recognized as a good/great actor. I am not saying this will be a great movie, but it is a relief to see something that is not all doom and gloom.
When you look at news footage of Mandela after his release and for years later, he was always smiling. Never mind the accent, but from the trailer it doesn’t seem like Freeman captures Mandela’s gregarious nature.
As a whole, this does not seem to embody to subtlety of “Chariots of Fire,” the often-mocked BP winner. It’s rare that sports films win the big one. With ten slots this year, I’m sure voters will find room for this one. I’ll reserve judgment until I see the actual film. I think this movie would have looked identical had Spielberg directed it, and I don’t mean that as a compliment.
I’m glad I’m not the only Kiwi here expecting to have the ‘food poisoning’ saga shelved for the sake of a good story.
I have to say, I was quite impressed by this trailer. And this is coming from someone who was NOT impressed by the films Eastwood has been making for the past few years. But this movie looks like it’s going to be really, really good.
I predict a Best Picture nomination, for sure, and very probably a Best Supporting Actor nom for Damon. And I wouldn’t count out Freeman for a Best Actor nom, especially since he’s playing a very beloved real person. Also, the Academy loves nominating actors from Eastwood films – especially when they are already well-known actors.
I too was impressed by this trailer. I can honestly say that I can see this film succeeding. Matt Damon looks promising and it would be great to have him back in the race (lead or supporting though?). I agree that Freeman’s accent wasn’t fully spot on, but I never read any complaints about Frank Langella in Frost/Nixon.
On the issue of what actually happened in the final. I’m not a conspiracy theorist. There’s no proof that the New Zealand team was intentionally poisoned. Nonetheless, they did all have food poisoning and several of them were vomiting during the match. And the NZ team would go back to South Africa one year later and absolutely slaughter what was a fairly mediocre South African team. I’m not being ungracious. South Africa deserved to win the last world cup. But the Francois Pienaar (Damon) team from 1995 was pretty average.
The Rugby World Cup was a political triumph for Mandela and I assume the movie will emphasise this. But as a sporting triumph there will always be a big asterisk
How the hell can anyone tell anything from this trailer other than that it is yet another inspirational flick with noble heroes, etc., etc.? Looks like something from Disney to me. Do hope I’m wrong here but best trailer of the year it ain’t!!! Morgan Freeman looks just like…….Morgan Freeman. Great actor but absolutely too well known by now to be convincing as Mandela who should have played himself. Damon looks convincing in his part but his accent sounds a little rough around the edges. Probably better in the actual film. I’m sure it’ll go on to win numerous oscar nods because the Academy loves them some inspiration as we all know. Not to mention the Clint factor.
Sorry to say, but I agree with those smelling a 08/15 cliché hollywood drama.
It´s just as simplistic as the most Clint Eastwood-movies.
That said, the Academy will go gaga for it!
How long before some mongoloid says Damon’s accent is bad ? Movie looks great, couldn’t care less about Freeman but Damon looks fantastic(accent and all).
beau Mccoy, do a little research. Eastwood is doing a supernatural thriller now, it’s called Hereafter… also starring Damon.
Hunter, stick to Transformers if movies like this are too “dull” for you.
lol ricky
this hunter fellow is the same person who said he found the movie “Precious” to be “revolting” because fat people do not live in Barcelona. Apparently, the people of Barcelona can’t watch a movie with a fat person because they would instantly start hurling with disgust. Yup! transformers is right up his alley.
“Eastwood is doing a supernatural thriller now, it’s called Hereafter… “
For the record, I’ve read the script. It’s not supernatural. It’s not thrilling. It’s a movie dependent on Fate and Coincidence. It’s like an O’Henry story.
Damon plays a seer of some sort. But all the scenes of his “powers” unfold like James Van Praagh on Larry King. “Is there somebody in your life whose name begins with J?”…”I see somebody in your past has died, am I right?”
I wish I were kidding, but that’s the whole “supernatural” part.
The final message of the movie is that 3 or 4 interconnected tragedies have to occur in order for Matt Damon’s lonely character to get laid.
It’s actually a big Harlequin romance about Destiny. But Damon and his “soul mate” have exactly one scene together. They exchange about 5 lines. I’m just saying, don’t get excited. This isn’t The Exorcist.
Matt Damon overshadows Morgan Freeman.
Reminded me of Frost Nixon. Great reviews, great acting. One nom for the one of the co leads, stupid promotion for the other (again as lead). This time perhaps they will be clever enough to push Matt Damon into supporting (even though he is looking so co-lead in this) But again, I see no Oscar win! Especially for Morgan Freeman!
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