by Everett Jensen

Created on: April 06, 2010

Mandela and de Klerk

directed by Joseph Sargent

written by Richard Wesley

starring Sidney Poitier, Michael Caine, Tina Lifford, Gerry Maritz, Ian Roberts, Ben Kruger, Jerry Mofokeng, Owen Sejake,  Tertius Meintjes, John Carson

Featuring extraordinary performances by Sidney Poitier and Michael Caine this film covers much of the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela and the political machinations and public protest informed by his incarceration and eventual release.

Poitier plays Mandela with such tenacity and elegance that it truly seems as if the man is playing himself.  Rarely has an actor so perfectly attained this close of an embodiment while managing to bring his own flourishing to the character.  This is not strictly an impersonation or a mere characterization.  This is Nelson Mandela speaking and acting through the person of a consummate actor who gives us one of the great performances of a historical figure in the annals of cinema.  He is of course perfectly matched by Michael Caine’s equally stunning portrayal of South African president F. W. de Klerk who plays such a pivotal role in ending the tyranny of Apartheid and releasing Mandela and other political prisoners as well as fully initiating negotiations with Mandela and the African National Congress.

The film interweaves archival news footage throughout its narrative which lends the story a tremendous urgency as events unfold one is firmly rooted in the immediacy of events that shook the Nation and the world.  One gets a clear idea of the tumultuous nature of life in South Africa for both the Whites and Blacks as riots and demonstrations are  met with a violent and dispassionate reaction by the police forces who more often than not open fire and murder whomever gets in their way.  Indeed, there is clearly government complicity in employing troops whose sole purpose is to dismantle the ANC by assassinating its leaders.  The film presents an untenable situation on the streets of nearly every town throughout the Nation as blacks bring their voices and limited weaponry to bear on an environment they realize must be transformed immediately if they are to ever consider themselves free.  Nelson Mandela is their de facto leader and when he is finally released he marvels at the number of supporters who greet him as he completes his long walk to freedom.  

Winnie Mandela (Lifford) is presented here as a mighty force for change who works tirelessly to promote

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