Following the release of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom in South Africa, the film has now been released in the United States, Canada, and French- and Dutch-speaking countries in Europe, as well as in the Middle East, with critics lauding the film.
In the United States, leading film critics were unanimous in their praise for the film. The Los Angeles Times called the film "Astonishing … worth experiencing again and again"; The Huffington Post said, "A must-see! Perfect artistry, amazing performances and pure inspiration"; Time magazine proclaimed "Idris Elba and Naomie Harris are magnificent"; the New York Times stated "a towering performance … intensely emotional and deeply stirring"; and The Boston Herald said, "the best possible biographical film about the great anti-apartheid leader ... Elba … deserves an Oscar nomination".
Canadian critics also praised the film, with the Toronto Star saying "a potent lead performance by Idris Elba … impresses with his poise and gravitas"; the Vancouver Sun said "a solid, responsible movie biography that touches"; and Twitch.com stated, "Idris Elba and Naomie Harris as Winnie Mandela are praiseworthy and lend the film vitality."
In France, Le Monde said "the film travels with emotion, magnified by Idris Elba"; La Croix said "a moving epic ... beautifully played"; L'Express stated "it’s brilliant"; and the popular movie critic website, TéléCinéObs, said that the film was "carried with conviction and a beautiful energy".
The Dutch critics were equally complimentary of the film: Spits Niews & Entertainment called the film "a solid, expertly crafted portrait of the man"; Die Volkskrant said that the film was an "impressive illustration at an historic moment"; and NRC Handelsblad declared, "Justin Chadwick does some remarkable things with immense confidence."
Reviews from other territories include Portugal’s Ipsilon, which called the film a "capable and fair portrait of Mandela"; the UAE’s Gulf News said it "leaves you breathless … moving and delightful"; and Israel’s Megafon News stated it is "full of cinematic charisma".
Producer Anant Singh commented, "We are thrilled with the rave reviews that the film has generated in these international markets. We now look forward to the opening of the film in the United Kingdom on 3 January 2014, where it will have a wide major release on more than 400 screens."
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom has been released in the United States, Canada, France, Holland/Netherlands, Portugal, Israel, Iceland, Switzerland, Belgium and the Middle East.
Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom is an Anant Singh presentation of a Justin Chadwick film. A Videovision Entertainment production in association with Distant Horizon, Origin Pictures, Pathe, Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa and the National Empowerment Fund. The film stars Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa, Lindiwe Matshikiza, Terry Pheto, Jamie Bartlett, and Deon Lotz. Music is composed by Alex Heffes with music contributions from Caiphus Semenya, Blondie Makhene and Dizu Plaatjies. The Co-Producers are Robert Naidoo, Brian Cox, Vlokkie Gordon, Hlengiwe Makhathini, with Executive Producers Cameron McCracken, François Ivernel, Geoffrey Qhena, Basil Ford, Philisiwe Mthethwa, Harvey Weinstein, Sudhir Pragjee and Sanjeev Singh. Producer for Origin Pictures is David M Thompson.
Produced by Anant Singh, the film is based on Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, with the screenplay by William Nicholson. It is directed by Justin Chadwick.