Invictus (2009) - Quotes

From Prisoner to President: A Unifying Journey

Taglines: He was a prisoner who became a president. To unite his country, he asked one man to do the impossible.

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A Leader Becomes a Champion for His People

Taglines: His people needed a leader. He gave them a champion.

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Mutual Gratitude Between Leaders

Nelson Mandela: I want to thank you for what you have done for your country.

Francois Pienaar: No, Mr. President. Thank you for what you have done for our country.

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Forgiveness Beyond Years of Imprisonment

Nerine: Thinking about tomorrow?

Francois Pienaar: No. Tomorrow's taken care of, one way or another. I was thinking about how you spend 30 years in a tiny cell, and come out ready to forgive the people who put you there.

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Challenging Expert Opinions on Possibilities

Colleague: According to the experts, we'll reach the Quarter Finals, and no further.

Nelson Mandela: According to the experts, you and I should still be in jail.

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Mandela Reflects on Rugby and Politics

Television Announcer: Tell us Mr. President, have you always been a rugby fan?

Nelson Mandela: People don't realize that I played rugby myself when I was a student at Fort Hare. It is a very rough game, almost as rough as politics.

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Inspiring Greatness Through Leadership and Example

Nelson Mandela: How do you inspire your team to do their best?

Francois Pienaar: By example. I've always thought to lead by example, sir.

Nelson Mandela: Well, that is right. That is exactly right. But how do we get them to be better then they think they CAN be? That is very difficult, I find. Inspiration, perhaps. How do we inspire ourselves to greatness when nothing less will do? How do we inspire everyone around us? I sometimes think it is by using the work of others.

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Leadership and the Cost of Courage

Brenda Mazibuko: You're risking your political capital, you're risking your future as our leader.

Nelson Mandela: The day I am afraid to do that is the day I am no longer fit to lead.

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Reflections on Rest and Resilience

Etienne Feyder: When does he take a break?

Staff Member: He says he rested enough in prison.

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A Personal Connection with the President

Francois Pienaar: Can I ask you a question, Lieutenant?

Hendrick Booyens: Ja, of course.

Francois Pienaar: What's he like?

Hendrick Booyens: When I worked for the previous President, it was my job to be invisible. This President... Well, he found out I like English toffee, and he brought me some back from his visit to England.

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A Cold Morning Greeting Among Friends

Hendrick Booyens: Gee, It's cold, man.

Linga Moonsamy: Morning, Madiba

Nelson Mandela: How are you?

Linga Moonsamy: Fine, thanks.

Hendrick Booyens: Morning, sir.

Nelson Mandela: How is your family, Hendrick?

Hendrick Booyens: Top shape, sir. How about yours?

Nelson Mandela: [goes back inside] I have a very large family. 42 million. I don't think I'll walk today.

Linga Moonsamy: [furiously] We never, never ask him about his family.

Hendrick Booyens: But he asks us about ours all the time!

Linga Moonsamy: Hey, think about it, man. He's separated from his wife, his children. How often do you see them here, huh? He's not a saint, okay? He's a man, with a man's problems. He doesn't need us reminding him about them.

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Unexpected Encounter with Authority Figure

Jason Tshabalala: Ah, that must be Jessie with the schedule. Come in, beautiful!

Jason: What's this?

Etienne Feyder: Mr. Jason Tshabalala?

Jason: That's me. Am I under arrest?

Feyder: Captain Feyder and team reporting for duty, sir.

Jason: What duty?

Feyder: [reaches into his pocket and removes a booklet] We're the presidential bodyguard. We've been assigned to this office. Here are our orders.

Linga Moonsamy: [One of the men nods] You're Special Branch, right?

Etienne: [noticing Jason's incredulity] You'll see that they've been signed.

Jason: [notices that they've been signed by Mandela. He folds it; storms off] Well, I don't care if they've been signed Just wait here.

Humor in Sports: Rugby vs. Soccer

Etienne Feyder: Well, you know what they say about soccer. It's a gentleman's game played by hooligans. On the other hand, rugby is a hooligan's game played by gentlemen.

Linga Moonsamy: Ja, ja, ja, heard that one before. And it wasn't funny the first time.

A Coach's Response to Mandela's Release

High School Boy Rugby Player: [seeing passing motorcade] Who is it, sir?

High School Rugby Coach: It's the terrorist Mandela, they let him out. Remember this day boys, this is the day our country went to the dogs.

Unyielding Determination in Adversity

Francois Pienaar: I may break my arm, my leg, my neck, but I will not let that freaking guy go.

Desire for World Cup Victory

Francois Pienaar: [when asked what Mandela wanted during their meeting] I think he wants us to win the World Cup.

Mastery of Fate and Soul

Nelson Mandela: I thank whatever gods maybe, For my unconquerable soul. I am the master of my fate...I am the captain of my soul!

Unity Through Understanding and Compassion

Nelson Mandela: Brothers, sisters, comrades, I am here because I believe you have made a decision with insufficient information and foresight. I am aware of your earlier vote. I am aware that it was unanimous. Nonetheless, I believe we should restore the Springboks. Restore their name, their emblem and their colors, immediately. Let me tell you why. On Robben Island, in Pollsmoor Prison, all of my jailers were Afrikaners. For 27 years, I studied them. I learned their language, read their books, their poetry. I had to know my enemy before I could prevail against him. And we did prevail, did we not? All of us here … we prevailed. Our enemy is no longer the Afrikaner. They are our fellow South Africans, our partners in democracy. And they treasure Springbok rugby. If we take that away, we lose them. We prove that we are what they feared we would be. We have to be better than that. We have to surprise them with compassion, with restraint, and generosity. I know. All of the things they denied us. But this is no time to celebrate petty revenge. This is the time to build our nation using every single brick available to us – even if that brick comes wrapped in green and gold. You elected me your leader. Let me lead you now.

Criticism Without Understanding Is Selfish Thinking

Nelson Mandela: You criticize without understanding. You seek only to address your own personal feelings. That is selfish thinking, Zindzi. It does not serve the nation.