'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom' 2013

Idris Elba is predictably outstanding as Nelson Mandela. He's got the voice down perfectly without ever slipping into the parody that it could have been with a lesser actor. Naomie Harris (aka Miss Moneypenny) also puts in a strong, turbulant performance as Winnie Mandela. The rest of the cast are excellent unknown (To me at least) South African actors.

Best thing is the gorgeous 35mm cinematography which looks like an epic from the 70s, capturing every ray of light and shadow across the South African landscape. There is none of the digitally-graded harsh contrast and cartoonish blueish saturation that infects most modern films. Just rich autumnal browns, grey, reds and greens... why can't all films nowadays look as good as this?

Faults include; it sticking a bit too much to the over-familiar biopic formula minted by Richard Attenborough's 'Gandhi' and the aging makeup isn't right in a couple of scenes in the middle but other than that it's a great film. It's probably fortunate that the movie was completed before Nelson's death, so it has a pleasing celebratory tone (Despite the grimness and violence of the story). Plus it never shys away from showing Nelson and Winnie's faults which the filmakers might now have been more reluctant to portray.

Soundtrack is fine too featuring the cream of political songwriting from the period(s) including Gil Scott-Heron, Public Enemy, Bob Marley and The Specials... but be warned it does have Bono singing over the credits! ;-)