Madiba tells the most personal and comprehensive story of Mandela’s life,
focusing on the man and his innermost thoughts and fears as he fought and
sacrificed for freedom to become an international icon. It starts with his
humble beginnings as a young rural boy to his election as the first Black
President of South Africa. While many recognize Mandela as the face of the
Anti-Apartheid Movement, this mini-series also pays homage to the many lesser
known men and women who sacrificed and suffered alongside of him in South
Africa’s quest for freedom. Michael plays Dr. H.F. Verwoerd, the prime minister
of Apartheid-era South Africa from 1958 until his assassination in 1966. |
Nelson Mandela - Laurence Fishburne
Olando Jones - Oliver Tambo
David Harewood - Walter Sisulu
Michael Nyqvist - Dr. H.F. Verwoerd
Terry Pheto - Winnie Mandela
* * * * *
Director - Kevin Hooks
Script - Paul Webb, Jane Maggs, Janine Eser and
Kathleen McGhee-Anderson Based on two
Mandela autobiographies, "Conversations with Mandela"
and "Nelson Mandela by Himself" Six
52-minute episodes |
"Tracing Mandela’s life from childhood to his inauguration as
South Africa’s first black head of state, it’s a by-the-numbers biopic, taking a
straight line through history that doesn’t allow for much complexity or
uncertainty. The director, Kevin Hooks, and his director of photography, Trevor
Calverley, have put together a handsome but static production, in which an awful
lot of time is spent sitting around and talking — in meeting halls, safe houses,
prisons and government offices. They’re saddled with a script that’s reverent
without being inspirational, and that prefers explanation to action."
...Mike Hale, NY Times
"Laurence Fishburne brings the necessary steadiness to the
role despite also conveying heartbreaking sadness, tenacious fervor and
calculation. It is this unshakeable core belief in what’s right that keeps
Mandela on the path and keeps followers loyal, even when he was imprisoned.
Somehow, despite obvious physical differences, Fishburne channels the spirit of
Mandela well. Backing him is an equally strong supporting cast." ...Hanh
Nguyen, Indiewire
"'Madiba' covers a great deal of ground. Perhaps inevitably,
that makes the story disjointed in places, as it shifts from Mandela's
claustrophobic confinement to the government violently tamping down protests to
the emergence of new leaders like Steve Biko. Ultimately, though, 'Madiba' is
inspiring and ambitious in both its casting and subject matter."
...Brian Lowry, CNN
"'Madiba' is a moving and beautifully rendered look at the
man who was the face of the anti-apartheid movement, and it wisely gets past his
face and into his mind. Mandela’s public persona is well known. What he
accomplished is well known. 'Madiba' is a fascinating portrait of the tensions
between the two: Mandela’s inner world and the external world he fought to
change." ...Amy Glynn, Paste Magazine
"'Madiba' is the kind of miniseries that can compete with
almost anything on cable, network TV and streaming services this season... My
biggest complaint is that the script is so linear and conventional in terms of
the storytelling — especially at a time when TV writing has become increasingly
imaginative and daring." ...David Zurawik, Baltimore Sun
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