The Wire's Idris Elba puts in an impressive performance in this heart-stirring biopic of the late Nelson Mandela, who died last month.

Spanning decades of the freedom-fighter's life, it begins in the 1950s and 60s as the young, charismatic Mandela is stirred into action against apartheid in his beloved South Africa.

While respectful, this doesn't paint its hero as flawless: he's shown neglecting and cheating on his first wife and stirring up violent protests.

Naomie Harris is excellent as his second wife Winnie, gradually morphing from a intelligent and strong-willed young woman to a hardened rabble-rouser.

The film shies away from the finer details of both their relationship and her later political actions; but it's still a thought-provoking portrait of a marriage under severe strain as well as moving testament to a man determined to achieve equality, whatever the personal cost.

Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom is In cinemas now

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