The Clint Eastwood-directed flick tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa’s rugby team as they make their historic run to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship match.

Morgan Freeman looks just like Mandela it’s uncanny, either the make-up people are amazingly good or they actually used a real photo of the former president himself. Although in the trailer Freeman doesn’t resemble him much, but he’s probably the best choice for the role. Damon once again proves he’s more than a Bond-like action hero. Kudos for attempting to pull off a South African accent, though I can’t understand a darn thing he’s saying.

In the trailer, Mandela keeps chanting the words, ‘I am the captain of my soul.’ Thanks to Yahoo Answers, here’s a brief history where that came from: Invictus was a short poem written by a british poet by the name of William Ernest Henley and was first published in 1875. The word invictus is latin meaning “unconquered” but the poem in itself no one is quite sure the meaning behind it. You can read the poem and its analysis here.

I’m always drawn to an uplifting underdog story, and the fact that it’s based on a true story makes it even more compelling. I’m not too crazy about the trailer personally, I agree with FilmJunk‘s assessment that “Eastwood’s films always seem to walk a thin line between real drama and cheesy sentimentality, and this one looks like it could go either way.” Still, it doesn’t stop some people from declaring this Oscar-worthy. It’s fair I suppose, considering the last sports-themed movie Eastwood did, Million Dollar Baby, collected honors for best picture, best director and best supporting actor nod for Freeman. Let’s see if this will indeed rise above a typical feel-good sports movie.

So, what do you think, folks? Are you excited to see this one?