Film Preview: Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013)

Poster

Additional posters can be found below.

Trailer Link

Release Date:

November 29, 2013

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “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.”

Poster: B- / B- / F / B (2) / C+ / C

Review: (posters #1) The colors of the South African flag play a key role, but one which wouldn’t matter if you didn’t already know what that flag looked like. Front-and-center protagonist is too frequently used without corresponding creativity.

(posters #2 & #3) Taking on the style of a protest poster of the period, the second design is certainly a teaser, but without recognizing the visage or noticing the hashtag, it’s nearly impossible to connect it with the film. The third design is even less distinctive and looks like a poorly-constructed fan design than an actual teaser.

(posters #4 & #5) Less artistically distinct than the first poster, these paired designs are actually more interesting than the previous posters. Employing a unique tagline that can be applied to both figures, it establishes this film as more of a two-person examination than a single-man’s struggle.

(poster #6) Idris Elba looks a bit more like the Mandela with whom we are familiar; however, the design is bland and almost colorless, making it something fairly easily ignored.

(poster #7) Less charismatic than most of the previous posters, but featuring a slightly more iconic posture. It’s unlikely this particular design would do much in terms of sales.

Trailer: A- / A

Review: This captivating drama of Nelson Mandela’s rise to power, his constant flaunting of British rule and attempts to free his people from the second-class status they have been afforded by Apartheid. It’s a decades-spanning political drama with far-reaching consequences and that adds layers of relevance that Idris Elba’s performance looks like it only enhances.

The trailer construction for this film has been excellent. The first trailer was a rousing affair and this second one is perfectly attuned. Nelson and Winnie Mandela are fascinating figures and this trailer gives us an opportunity not only to learn more about them and understand them better, but gives a unique historical perspective on events that haven’t been adequately observed in previous outings.

Oscar Prospects:

Idris Elba looks fantastic as Nelson Mandela and this political drama looks like the kind of movie the Academy might love. But Harvey Weinstein has too many films on his plate this year and with Lee Daniels’ The Butler and August: Osage County taking most of his attention, I’m afraid Mandela may get left behind. Of course, critics could bolster its chances a great deal.