Finally! A Rugby movie! We don’t get many do we? You can say “This Sporting Life” with Richard Harris, but that’s league. So desperate are we rugby pundits for some Hollywood action that we’ve claimed the likes of The Motorcycle Diaries and Monty Python’s Meaning of Life.
And personally? I’m over all these flicks about American sports. Sure there can be some crackers – Major League, The Natural, Any Given Sunday. But for every Bull Durham there’s a half a dozen Angels in the Outfield and The Replacements. But what we wouldn’t give for a rugby version of even The Longest Yard or Semi-Pro.
Well now we have Invictus. Set around Nelson Mandella’s efforts to end apartheid in South Africa, the 1995 Rugby World Cup serves as a significant backdrop. In fact one of the leading Hollywood draw cards, Matt Damon, plays Springbok skipper at the time, Francois Pienaar.
The movie is released in Australia on 21 January, however has been out overseas for a few weeks. Reports vary. The movie critics have called it Oscar bait, due to its emotive subject and key players. Damon as Pienaar, Morgan Freeman as Mandela with Clint Eastwood directing are all previous Oscar winners. The Rugby folk seem to have made two observations. First, Damon is too small to play Pienaar and, secondly, the rugby plays a minor part so is hardly a rugby movie.
In answer to the first part, well, come on. This is Hollywood. Joaquin Phoenix played Jonny Cash, half a foot shorter than the man in black. Conversely, Denzel Washington was about half a foot taller than Ruben ‘Hurricane’ Carter. Funnily enough even Matt Damon recognises the discrepancy. On meeting Pienaar for the first time, and being towered over, Damon’s first words were “I look bigger on film”.
As to the 2nd ‘complaint’, well beggers can’t be choosers can they. Hell, if Step Brothers can be promoted as a comedy despite being devoid of laughs, then surely we can claim this a rugby movie. Check out the trailer here:
So great. It is a rugby film, and it looks pretty damn awesome. But where is OUR film? Ok, fine. The 95 RWC win by the Boks was the stuff of legend. Nelson Mandela? Big story. Apartheid? Big story. But come on! What about a blockbuster about the Wallaby victories of 1991 or 1999? Even 2003 would be a thriller worthy of any John Grisham adaption.
So here’s your challenge. Village Roadshow have given Green and Gold Rugby a number of double passes to see Invictus, opening around the country on 21 January.
So to win, we want to hear your pitch. Cast for us the key players of one of the Wallabies’ most memorable campaigns – be it World Cup, Lions or Bledisloe. It is the Hollywood movie we’ve been crying out for, but who stars in it?
Entries can be e-mailed to noddy@greenandgoldrugby.com, with the prizes only available to Australian residents. Entries close on 20 January and the tickets will be sent out after that!
We will publish the best entries for all to share, but I will start you off.
“Fools Gold”. The story of Australia’s failed 1987 World Cup Challenge, starring:
 Ray Meager as Alan Jones |
 Guy Pearce as Nick Farr-Jones |
 Rupert Grint as Simon Poidevin |
Michael Cera as Michael Lynagh
Tags: invictus, movie
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Just read the John Carlin book “Playing the Enemy” (2008) which the movie was based on. It is largely an account of how Nelson Mandela seduced his capitors to allow for his release & eventual presidency. Rugby was an important uniting factor in that quest.
Got a tear in my eye watching the trailer
Who plays Susie The Waitress?
Tiger Woods as Serge Blanco for the ‘87 travesty.
Sure Tiger may need to brush up on his open field running skills but he’s world class and a confirmed heart breaker!
Top work on the graft getting hold of the tickets Noddy
Bare in mind boys-people in South Africa are giving this film a standing ovation in cinemas, even though Pienaar and Joel Stranksy are the only players menitioned by name. Remember this when the next South African tells you Australians are full of themselves!
Vin Diesel as Sterling.
typical! another bloody contest for only aussie residents! can you tell it’s still a sore subject for me?
Email your entry to me first. Also, do my fantasy team too.
I’m a little hurt over your assessment of Step Brothers noddy. That movie was hilarious
Wouldn’t get too excited boys. The main story is good at best but the rugby scenes themselves are rubbish. Obviously made by someone who until starting the movie, had never seen the sport.
Agreed about the rugby scenes, but its not about the action itself but about how Mandela used the tool as a tool to help bring together a nation.
You’re just dark that you had to pay for your tickets Searsy!
Get your freebies boys and see what you reckon. The reviews in the forum are pretty good
I reckon go and see it, just don’t expect too much. I rate Mighty Ducks a better sports flick. Actually, even Major League, Bad News Bears & Varsity Blues was better than this.
step brothers is a classic movie full of laughs
Qld rugby are having a special screening at 6:30pm on Jan 21st. @ the old police barracks cinema. Members $20 Non-members $25 (includes pop corn & soft drink)
Police Barracks cinema, QC will be keeping his distance from that one then???
Just as long as the video footage is not about him, everything will be sweet.
QC might need a QC if he’s not too careful, though!!!
A kiwi bloke told me due to the political push for the Saffa’s to win the world cup for Mandela in 95, that the CIA and ANC organised together to give the All Blacks food poisoning…….. can you believe it.
That story about food poisoning of the All Blacks has been doing the rounds for ages. The version I heard (from a Kiwi, nonetheless) was that the English bookmakers feared having to payout the huge amounts if the All Blacks won.
And to think they still talk about the underarm delivery as bad sportsmanship. Sean Fitzpatrick said that he knew the ABs were in for a real challenge when the crowd started chanting, “Mandel, Madela…” When will the poor Kiwis accept defeat!!!
See the movie on it’s own merit. I would strongly suggest that you read the book “playing the Enemy”, on which the movie is based. I know rugby fans will pick apart the rugby sequences-God knows as a nurse I used to pick apart ER all of the time, but in the end, I really do think Clint Eastwod did well by directing this movie.
Hi, possibly this entry may be off topic but anyways, I have read some of your other posts too and they are great. Keep up the fantastic work! Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
awwww hell. Flattery will get you everywhere. Have 2 tickets!
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just joking. Enter the competition.
Read the book (a lot shorter than “The Long March to Freedom”) about Nelson Madela uniting both sides to form the Rainbow Nation. This is a great historical account of humanity triumphing over adversity, not a rugby movie per se. Morgan Freeman as Mandela will be worthwhile, not so sure about Matt Damon as François Pienaar.
Gary Coleman as George Gregan… ‘what you talkin about Willis’ lol
In 2000 the best rugby match ever, what an EPIC MOVIE!
Green and Gold played bold.
In the first half of the ‘movie’
they were the underdogs.
Showing their resolve in the second half of the ‘movie,’ scoring an amazing 35 points.
Jonah Lomu plays Nelson Mandela, charismatic and invincible! A last minute win for the All BLACKS!!!
hola solo te quiero desir que eres una gran persona y que te admiro muchisimo haz echo un gran tarabajo tu y los de mas espero sigan siendo amigos tu emma y mi NOVIO dan jajajja bueno ojala les siga llendo muy bien estoy totalmente feliz de todo el trabajo que han echo bye i love rupert…
Bueno!!! Yo no soi marinero yo soi capitaine!!! Hasta la vista.
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