This inspiring true-life tale from director Clint Eastwood has earned Oscar nominations for Morgan Freeman (Best Actor) and Matt Damon (Best Supporting Actor).

After 27 years in prison Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) is elected President of the newly-democratic Republic of South Africa. But his country remains deeply divided, with an impoverished black majority harbouring anger towards their resentful former white oppressors. Attending an international rugby match, Mandela notes that all the whites cheer for the South African team, the Springboks, while all the blacks are cheering for England. Realising that sport is a possible way to unite his nation, Mandela enlists the help of the Springbok captain Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon). As Pienaar learns from Mandela's experiences and tries to follow his example, he is inspired to pursue an impossible dream - for the Springboks to defeat the unstoppable New Zealand All Blacks and win the 1995 rugby World Cup.

Screenplay: Anthony Peckham

You should see it because: Morgan Freeman is the natural choice to play revered statesman Nelson Mandela, while Matt Damon gives a gutsy performance as rugby star Pienaar.

See it if you liked: Million Dollar Baby (2004), Letters From Iwo Jima (2006), Catch A Fire (2006)