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Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
U/A (INDIA)
2014
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historical
important
towering
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$ 27 Million
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Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Positive Reviews
91
Negative reviews
22
Average Rating
3.2
/5
conventional
historical
important
towering
All
Positive
Negative
3.0
As is, it plays like empty tributea life story with no life to it.
Av Club
2.5
The makers of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom have good intentions, but they dont effectively dramatize what they think makes their subject great.
Rogerebert
2.0
Long Walk to Freedom is not a very well made movie, but teens may be inspired by it to look further into Mandelas remarkable life.
Common Sense Media
3.0
But for all its failings, there is one thing about Long Walk to Freedom that cant be denied: Idris Elba gives a towering performance, a Mandela for th ..
Variety
3.5
I just wish the rest of it matched the magic of the two lead performances.
We Got This Covered
4.5
Your music isnt half bad (as this film ably demonstrates); theres no need to retire from the business.
Austin Chronicle
3.0
As a primer, its respectable; as cinema, it feels like a biblical gospel, always gearing up for the next big speech or moment, yet shackled by the gre ..
Time Out
3.0
But his portrayal of Mandela is beautifully limber; a supple, easy performance inside a stiff and formal film.
The Guardian
3.0
If it is a bit stately, that is understandable: his life story really is extraordinary.The movie pays homage in good faith.
The Guardian
1.9
While theres no denying Nelson Mandelas heroism or world historical importance, simply taking the Clint Eastwood late in life apotheosizing approach d ..
3.8
It can feel, at times, both overlong and oversimplified, but the story propels itself along while awakening in viewers some profound emotions.
4.5
Beneath the sweetness of this poised young beauty theres an unyielding sense of purpose.
The Hollywood Reporter
2.5
But as the world mourns the loss of a great humanist and visionary, this film can provide a starting place for deepening ones knowledge.
4.0
Video Hard moral decisions weigh heavily.And in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Justin Chadwicks stately screen biography of Nelson Mandela, the Britis ..
The New York Times
3.4
Long Walk of Freedom deserves to have the soul of the country it portrays.U2 wailing over the end credits is not that movie.
IGN
4.0
Any film that tries to encompass most of Nelson Mandela s long life carries an enormous burden of expectation.How can a single film do the man justice ..
Telegraph
5.0
Making this passage even more intriguing is that it was made at great personal cost, especially in terms of marriage and family.
3.8
And only someone with a preternatural mental discipline could resist falling into an all consuming vat of resentment.
San Francisco Chronicle
3.0
Its vivid, substantial and works hard to be worthy, but as it ticks off the milestones of a monumental life it flickers more often than it really catc ..
3.0
By the time Long Walk to Freedom winds up, the journey feels as regal and epic as the man who took it.
Ny Daily News
3.5
MANDELA has one real failing its that it feels like theres a better film still to be made about the man.
JoBlo
3.0
The final result is a motion picture that isnt really a stirring testament to the late Nelson Mandelas achievements and incredible life but theres eno ..
Screen Rant
2.5
Unfortunately, this reverent and old fashioned biopic is a prime example of the kind of inspirational movie that is, itself, uninspired.
The Globe And Mail
3.8
A conventional biopic made anything but conventional by the magnitude of its subjects life and accomplishments, and by Idris Elbas imposing performanc ..
Philly
4.0
Alongside Mandela, it follows the anti apartheid movement itself, from peaceful boycotts to blowing offices up, terrible civil war and a return to pea ..
4.0
An inspiring biodrama about the art of leadership pioneered by Nelson Mandela based on love and forgiveness.
Spirituality And Practice
3.0
It ends up a better history lesson than it is a movie, though a fairly good history lesson.
One Guys Opinion
3.8
But theres barely a hint of grandeur and triumph to this amazing story.
Rogers Movie Nation
2.0
Two powerful performances that are direct in their firepower and subtle in emotion, the actors bring density to the traditionally thin bio pic genre, ..
Blu Ray
3.0
Mandela registers as little more than the embodiment of enlightened valuesat times this feels like a superhero movie in historical drag.
Chicago Reader
3.1
The movie is a traditional biography that provides a basic overview of the mans pre presidential political life without offering much in the way of an ..
Mark Reviews Movies
2.0
The films heart is in the right place but so much of Nelson Mandelas life is covered, the whole movie feels rushed.
3.1
But the cinematic retelling would have benefited from deeper illumination and perspective.
Usa Today
2.0
But with so much ground to cover and years to span, the filmmakers simply dont have enough time to deliver more such meaningful moments.
Screen It
3.1
In those moments when Elba shows the doubts, compromises and complications that make the man, we get glimpses of a life truly lived.
Rolling Stone
3.0
Either way, its extremely distracting and completely takes you out of every scene in which it appears.Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is never less than ..
View London
3.8
Profits from Idris Elbas remarkable take on Mandela, which renders his greatness palpably real.
News Day
2.0
Maybe Mandela is one of those historical figures whose life is greater, more larger than life, than any mere movie could ever do justice to.
Cs Monitor
3.1
The film is far too long, and, after Lincoln more filmmakers will decide its OK not to try to cover everything in an immense life.
New York Post
4.5
Thats why it is a great pleasure to report that this retelling of the Nelson and Winnie Mandela story falls into neither of these ruts.It is balanced, ..
Film Journal International ..
4.5
Not every civil rights epic deserves a three hour plus running time, but one this important might.
Deseret News (Salt Lake Ci ..
3.0
Its an exceptional performance in search of an equally excellent film.
Az Central
2.5
Aside from some youthful randiness early in the film, it wouldnt be out of place at a state funeral.
Boston
3.8
Elba has so inhabited the character that you might be stunned to see photos of the real man, during credits, and realize the extensive physical differ ..
Boston
3.0
In the wake of Nelson Mandelas recent passing, aged 95, this well intentioned adaptation of the great mans best selling autobiography inevitably takes ..
Smh
2.0
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom offers some dates and locations, but not much in the way of names.
Npr
3.1
While the film builds a strong case for Mandelas moral heroism, it doesnt hoist a halo above his head.
Star Tribune
1.5
Bit of a shame that a man who looms so large in the hearts and minds of so many has been packed neatly away into a film that is handsome, respectable, ..
3.1
As such, it is somewhat lacking in drama, which means it will likely find an audience more in classrooms than in multiplexes.
Toronto Star
1.5
This Justin Chadwick biopic offers no surprises in technique or script (by William Nicholson) but is nevertheless a notch above average.
Reel Talk Reviews
3.0
French director Arnaud des Pallieres keeps it too grubbily real and dimly lit.
Daily Mail
3.0
Countless directors, writers and actors including Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington have come and gone.
Flim List
3.5
The epic political saga is punctuated by Madibas personal life and womanizing.
Susang Ranger
4.0
Their relationship is the most intriguing aspect of the picture even if it doesnt generate the emotional uplift you are craving after experiencing the ..
Express
3.0
It was probably even inevitable, given the calcified state of moviedom at the moment, that it would end up being told as a traditional epic biopic.
Flickfilosopher
3.0
Elba is unfailingly charismatic and conveys all of his subjects dazzle and subtle shifts.
The Irish Times
5.3
Thats the best back handed compliment I can pay this adequate but uninspired effort.
Blogs Indie Wire
2.5
If the movie had stopped to focus on any one of its potentially interesting elements, it might have ended up worthy of their performances.
Las Vegas Weekly
4.0
Spider Man: Far From Home release date, cast, trailer, and everything else you need to know Feature Your first look at the Spider Man: Far From Home p ..
Total Film
3.0
Mandela had a bubbling humour Elbas efforts at laughter would better have been edited out.
Standard
3.0
The life of Nelson Mandela is simply too big, too complex and too important to be contained in one movie.
Detroit News
3.0
Benedict Cumberbatch Wants You To Know He *Is* The Motherf*cking Grinch The Grinch star takes Mike Ryan through the final scenes of Avengers: Infinity ..
Hit Fix
3.0
At times, it almost feels as if Mandela was rushed to completion, but its more likely that the filmmakers were hard pressed to find a workable structu ..
Movie Habit
3.0
Valuable primarily as a history lesson and a showcase for Elba, Long Walk to Freedom might have been more effective as a miniseries, where each of Man ..
Oregon Live
3.8
Mandelais trials and triumphs, personal and political, are more than enough to keep this crowded but never overstuffed biopic clicking.
Movies Tv Guide
4.0
The inevitability of violence, confinement, and freedom dont interfere with theatrics.
2.0
Naomie Harris portrayal of the fiery Winnie easily eclipses Elbas disappointingly conventional lead turn.
Cine Vue
3.0
It may well be a rather conventional though lengthy biopic but it does a great job in celebrating a remarkable man.
Mirror
3.0
Long Walk to Freedom is a valuable document of a remarkable life, and at times charmingly old fashioned in its plain speaking simplicity.
Digital Spy
3.0
Its a valuable history lesson crammed into a creatively uninspired movie.
Tamp A Bay
3.5
Though this is not a revealing portrait, Long Walk to Freedom is a solidly crafted drama and a timely reminder of Mandelas achievements.
Nz Herald
1.9
No one should complain about sitting through a two and a half hour drama about a man who spent so long in prison fighting apartheid.
Red Eye Chicago
3.0
As a movie, its not all that powerful or insightful beyond the basic facts (which are plenty powerful and insightful on their own) but thats not reall ..
Stl Today
3.1
This movie begs to be compared to epics such as Reds and Gandhi. But while Elba embodies a dignified hero, the film itself is less than revolutionary.
Stl Today
1.0
There is no fun in Mandela; no life either. Couldnt we have had some controversy stirring candour about this true life hero in his early terrorist pha ..
Ft
3.5
This gives the film an epic tone that carries quite a punch for viewers who dont mind watching a slightly worthy summary of a great mans life.
Contact Music
4.1
In short, its a worthy and beautifully illustrated lesson the kind of movie that people who dont know much about Nelson Mandela can crib from but a le ..
Ar Kansas Online
4.0
But Elba keeps it afloat through sheer will and performance discipline.
Hollywood And Fine
3.0
Just another standard biopic consisting of historical re enactments set to a soaring, manipulative score.
Patriot Ledger
3.8
While the film isnt likely to satisfy on the level of the surefire Oscar nominee 12 Years a Slave, its still a well done film telling one of recent hi ..
2.0
Itll face strong competition from Frozens Let It Go on Oscar night.
The Film Pie
3.8
Two things keep Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom from being just another biopic: the life it portrays and the actor in the role.
Js Online
2.0
A year after Steven Spielbergs Lincoln boldly revealed the horse trading and gamesmanship necessary to pass the Thirteenth Amendment, its discouraging ..
The Dissolve
3.0
An honourable and occasionally moving biopic of the late Mandela with strong performances by Elba and Harris.
One Room With A View
2.5
In its way, its emblematic of the whole movie: a potent mix of uplift and corn.
Sbs
2.5
Mandela pulls us through the leaders now familiar life story with a plodding pace.
Daily Herald
3.5
I think the best way to evaluate a biopic that spans decades is in the fluidity of its leaps and if the performances can take it bounds.
Crave Online
2.5
It wouldnt exactly count as entertainment, but at least they would know more about one of historys most compelling leaders.
Mercury News
3.0
No matter how savvy the screenwriter, its hard to adapt a 600 page autobiography to the silver screen.
Under The Radar Mag
3.0
What keeps it anchored is a towering, Golden Globe nominated performance from Idris Elba.
Metro
4.5
Is armed struggle or peaceful patience the better response to injustice In a performance for the ages, Idris Elbas Mandela embodies both sides of the ..
Film 4
2.0
Filmmaker Justin Chadwick uses a familiar, reverential approach to his dramatized subject, the challenging life and times of Nelson Mandela, from his ..
East Bay Express
2.5
Performances can get you a long way, but when you reduce such important events to a mere montage, then justice is clearly not being done to them and t ..
2.5
Theres never a scene that encapsulates who Mandela was and why he was the driving engine in apartheids ultimate collapse.
1.5
Here, he paints a golden hued South Africa that fluctuates between looking repetitive and unremarkable (though hes DP on Russian filmmaker Ilya Khrzha ..
Ion Cinema
5.0
What Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom ends up doing is flattering and sanctifying its subject. Mandela deserves better than kisses and compliments. So do ..
New States Man
3.5
With a sturdy, magnetic central performance by Idris Elba as Mandela, the film dutifully charts his life long struggle to end apartheid, his wooing of ..
Tiny Url
3.0
Though the film mostly serves as a vehicle for Harriss underrated talent, Lol Crawleys cinematography shouldnt be overlooked.
Reel Talk Online
1.5
Reading about the South African leader will provide deeper understanding; to do audio/video dramatic justice to Mandela and his story, a miniseries is ..
Assignment X
4.5
Idris Elba and Naomie Harris turn in award winning performances while educating and reviving the troubled history of the Nelson and Winnie Mandelas fi ..
Wp Me
1.5
This doesnt deepen our understanding of Mandela, or give us any sense of what lay behind that kind, open, wise face.
Spectator
4.0
This is a solid, superbly crafted biopic with a towering, charismatic lead.
Sky
3.5
It is Mandelas legacy of love, forgiveness and reconciliation that makes the biggest impression.
Richard Crouse
4.0
But as a movie, it features incredible performances and treats the subject matter and audience with respect.Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is a great f ..
Schmoes Know
2.5
It takes itself extremely seriously, and expects you to do the same, the sort of movie youre more likely to watch in a history class than in a theater ..
Ut Sandiego
3.1
Chadwick is a sturdy, assured director even while making many predictable decisions.
MLive.com
2.0
Its just a shame that the educational purpose of this title is not quite backed up emotionally.
Hey U Guys
4.0
Every time the film might have cut loose as a drama, it either holds back or we simply move on to another time, losing the heightened sense of intimac ..
Birmingham Mail
3.5
But this is a much better mounted production than the recent Winnie Mandela in every way that counts.
Daily News
4.5
A lifetime of heroism is expertly condensed into this two and half hour, well paced and inspiring movie that preserves the legacy of an icon.This is a ..
Dwight Brown Ink
1.5
Though its both long and incomplete, this is a stirring portrait of a man worth knowing.
Digital Journal
3.5
Overall, Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom is determined to celebrate the man through film and the lead performances are impressive, but its slightly ov ..
Flick Feast
4.0
A slightly saggy mid section means it is not quite the classic biopic treatment that perhaps the late, great man deserved, but Mandela is nevertheless ..
Screen Space(Squarespace)
2.5
The force of charisma and his will almost ruthlessly overrides the films flaws so that it ends up more enjoyable than it has a right to be.
Cines Nark
2.5
Misses the opportunity to use art and imagination to bring insight to a life history that otherwise might be better served with a straight documentary ..
Commercial Appeal (Memphis ..
2.0
William Nicholsons screenplay, based on Mandelas autobiography, has the power to surprise us in small moments.
Charlotte Observer
3.8
What screenwriter William Nicholson, director Justin Chadwick and, most importantly, Idris Elba as Mandela, have done is capture the soul of this extr ..
Jc Online
3.3
It feels a bit unbalanced, but its a largely forgivable oversight, considering the atrocities committed (the brutality of which is handled tastefully ..
4.0
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is a carefully made, respectful, chronological account of what made Mandela who he was and the price he had to pay.
Dogandwolf
2.0
A complete letdown, which falls considerably short of doing justice to the mans amazing story.
Technology Tell
4.5
You cant rush through the life of any man, yet alone the life of Nelson Mandela, and this film doesnt try to.
Cinemacy
5.0
An inspirational adaptation of Mandibas autobiography which more than does justice to the legacy of a triumphant freedom fighter who made many selfles ..
Aalbc It
3.1
In short, then, there are no major missteps, although its missing some of the life that animated its subject (though only a touch of the length).
National Post
3.8
Admirable intentions aside, the movies desire to be bait for Oscar votersthis is a Harvey Weinstein production, after allseems to be a greater priorit ..
Indy Week
2.5
This film is only superficially illuminating, briefly informative; the drama is only mildly engaging, the imprisonment distantly horrific. It insists ..
Concrete Play Ground
3.5
The synchronicity among the creators led to effective depictions of Mandelas transformation into a national leader
5.0
Madibas still ongoing walk to freedom is indeed a long one, but with Elba leading the way, it is one that is rewarding and rendered richly relevant to ..
Themoviereport Mandela
See Where to Watch
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom