Actors who made Nelson Mandela come alive on the silver screen
It must be hard a job portraying one of the world's greatest leaders, but these actors did a pretty good job in our minds.
The story of Nelson Mandela is a story that will be told again and again in generations to come.
Since 1987, film directors and producers have been inspired to tell this story.
From the years of oppression, battling through long years behind bars on Robben Island and the hope of a nation when he was released, the story has many facets.
Portraying a role like Mr Mandela’s could possibly be one of the most difficult acting jobs imaginable.
In tribute to his legacy, these actors took on the responsibility of the role, and excelled:
Danny Glover – Mandela – 1987
A look into the life of Nelson Mandela and the struggle for freedom in Apartheid South Africa. The film was nominated for a Primetime Emmy and received multiple other awards and nominations.
At least he never quoted his famous Lethal Weapon line while portraying Madiba.
Sidney Poitier – Mandela and de Klerk – 1997
This film tells the story of Nelson Mandela and the then president, FW de Klerk. It delves into the politics of the nation and gives insight into the relationship between the two leaders.
Lindane Nkosi – Drum – 2004
The film centres around a hot-shot journalist who gets caught up in the fight for freedom during the 1950’s Apartheid regime. Lindane Nkosi plays Mandela, the only South African to ever do so.
Dennis Haysbert – Goodbye, Bafana –2007
The story of a white racist prison guard whose life is changed by the man he guards every day for more than twenty years. It shows how the guard’s life was changed by what he learned from his prisoner, Nelson Mandela.
Clarke Peters – Endgame – 2009
Endgame is about the covert discussions held to bring down the apartheid regime. It was nominated for a Golden Globe and 10 other awards.
Morgan Freeman – Invictus – 2009
Invictus tells the story of Nelson Mandela’s first term as president and the motivation he gave the Springboks to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup for the first time since apartheid fell. The film won 9 awards and 29 othe nominations. Morgan Freeman was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor.
Dave Harewood – Mrs Mandela – 2011
A story about Winnie Mandela and the struggles she faced during the incarceration and release of Nelson
Mandela.
Terrence Howard – Winnie Mandela – 2011
Another film that chronicled the life of Winnie Mandela. It received two nominations.
Idris Elba – Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom – 2013
According to imdb.com, this film is a chronicle of Nelson Mandela’s life journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa. However, it has been described as the best portrayal of Nelson Mandela’s life, successes and failures thus far. The film received on Oscar nomination, 25 other nominations and won 6 more awards.
Photographs: www.channel24.co.za. Film write up: www.imdb.com
