Mandela and de Klerk (1997)

The made-for-television drama film, Mandela and de Klerk (1997), was written by Richard Wesley and directed by Joseph Sargent. In a highly publicized trial on June 12, 1964, Nelson Mandela and several other political detainees received life imprisonment sentences, making it the most famous treason case in South Africa’s history. Their imprisonment on Robben Island became a powerful symbol of the fight against apartheid and the quest for freedom for black South Africans. Nearly three decades later, on February 2, 1990, President F.W. De Klerk announced the legalization of the African National Congress and other previously banned political organizations during his speech to Parliament.

Simultaneously, he declared the impending release of Nelson Mandela after twenty-seven years of incarceration, to take place in one week’s time. However, the details surrounding this significant event remained largely unknown to not only the global community but also the majority of South Africans. That is, until now. This film was shot in South Africa, predominantly at the exact locations where the actual occurrences unfolded. To ensure utmost accuracy in depicting recent historical moments, dramatized scenes were enhanced with authentic news footage.