Some things just go together- Salt and Pepper, Gin and Tonic, Batman and Robin (well, in the past)- and it seems that actor-turned-director Clint Eastwood favours working with Morgan Freeman. It appears the Academy doesn’t mind either- both their previous collaborations have garnered Best Picture Oscars and defined Eastwood as at least as good behind the camera as he is in front of it. Here they combine again to bring a 20^th Century icon to the screen for ‘Invictus’.

Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) has just taken office after winning the presidency of South Africa and sees a nation divided, both by the black population’s bitterness at their treatment under the apartheid, and the white population’s fear of what will happened next. Mandela sees an opportunity to unite the country behind the Springboks, their national rugby team, as South Africa prepares to host the Rugby World Cup. But can he inspire their captain, Francios Pienaar (Matt Damon), to victory? And can he bring together black and white supporters behind a team that was for so long synonymous with the old regime?

There was never going to be any trouble in putting together a credible story, because this actually happened. That in itself is simply amazing, inspiring, and proof if any were needed of the unifying power of sport, and of the miraculous strength one man showed to change an entire country, to (to quote the film) ‘spend thirty years in prison, and come out and forgive the men who did it to him’. Credit should also be given to Eastwood for towing the line on the sensitive subject of apartheid- it is, of course, condemned, but he takes care not to demonise the white characters, more portray them as products of their surroundings. There are minor flaws- the sentiment can be a little over bearing, particularly in the film’s climax, and non-sporty people may struggle to see the tension during the re-enacted matches.

This is a role Freeman had been waiting to do for years (he was due to star in a Spielberg-directed Mandela biopic several years ago), and there is no-one better equipped. He captures the beloved leader just so well, without portraying him as a saint- small hints at his family life and his overworking show a man with problems like the rest of us. But the point of Freeman’s performance is that Mandela wasn’t perfect, he overcame the enormous trials of his life with hope and with perseverance. Damon’s Pienaar is earnest, and perhaps a little too saintly at times, but does the job of conveying the sporting side of things with conviction.

It may not be quite as fine as 2009’s brilliant ‘Gran Torino’, but it’s by no means a blip. This is an thoughtful and very interesting take on a magnificent story, more than worthy of its awards, especially for Freeman’s performance, and another sign that this superb director has no intention of handing up his megaphone just yet.

Invictus is released on 5 February