The production lacks depth in favor of its conventional approach to a historical biography and the dutiful veneration of its subject.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Aug 19, 2022

It is Mandela's legacy of love, forgiveness and reconciliation that makes the biggest impression.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Feb 1, 2021

The performances are outstanding, headlined by Idris Elba's powerfully convincing portrayal of the iconic revolutionary.

Full Review | Original Score: 8/10 | Dec 3, 2020

Inspired performances by both Idris Elba and Naomie Harris.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.0/4.0 | Sep 15, 2020

Idris Elba and Naomie Harris turn in award-winning performances while educating and reviving the troubled history of the Nelson and Winnie Mandela's fight to freedom in South Africa

Full Review | Jun 9, 2020

Overall, Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom is determined to celebrate the man through film and the lead performances are impressive, but its slightly overlong running time and inconsistent pacing makes it feel like a very slow walk to freedom.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Nov 21, 2019

While Elba is in top form when reenacting Mandela's exciting oratory power more than anywhere else, his long walk is here relayed with a taken-for-grantededness, confusing sincerity with brevity.

Full Review | Aug 29, 2019

An honourable and occasionally moving biopic of the late Mandela with strong performances by Elba and Harris.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 8, 2019

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is a carefully made, respectful, chronological account of what made Mandela who he was and the price he had to pay.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 7, 2019

It feels a bit unbalanced, but it's a largely forgivable oversight, considering the atrocities committed (the brutality of which is handled tastefully and respectfully).

Full Review | Original Score: 6.5/10 | Apr 3, 2019

Reading about the South African leader will provide deeper understanding; to do audio/video dramatic justice to Mandela and his story, a miniseries is probably in order.

Full Review | Jan 19, 2019

It's length makes watching it more of a commitment than other, but if you're willing to set aside the time, the result is worth it.

Full Review | Dec 14, 2018

Though it's both long and incomplete, this is a stirring portrait of a man worth knowing.

Full Review | Nov 1, 2018

It stars Idris Elba, a suitably great and charismatic actor, but even he cannot save this from seeming like a history lesson, as delivered by one of those teachers who can't seem to breathe life into a subject.

Full Review | Sep 5, 2018

Chadwick's awards-hungry drama plods through the key moments of Mandela's life and political career in a reductive, box-ticking style.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 23, 2018

Idris Elba's performance of Mandela is striking, if only for his effort to master the former president's distinct vocal style.

Full Review | Nov 29, 2017

Watch this - while making you laugh and cry, it takes you on a wondrous walk.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 17, 2017

It's at its strongest when it's dealing with the period we know least about: Mandela's early years.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 30, 2017

I will say that of all the Oscar-bait movies the Weinstein Company has released this holiday season, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is one that won't make you grimace in agony while you're watching it.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 25, 2017

The force of [Idris Elba's] charisma and his will almost ruthlessly overrides the film's flaws so that it ends up more enjoyable than it has a right to be.

Full Review | Oct 20, 2017