Movies about real life events or people many times leave me wondering if a specific scene or moment in time was exagerated for effect. With the wealth of information available via the Internet it is an argument that can be solved with some degree of certainty – usually.
Over the holidays I went to see Invictus. As someone who played a little rugby in college and has a son who recently wrote a terrific report on Nelson Mandela, I was excited to see the movie. It’s a good movie and provides a decent overview of the circumstances that led up to the significance of the 1995 Rugby World Cup played in South Africa. I have not read the book “Playing the Enemy” that the movie is based on, but I suspect anyone who has and seen the movie will tell me the book is much better. Not too surprising with a subject as complicated as Mandela’s release from prison, his election as president and the truly remarkable moment in time that the 1995 Rugby World Cup was, how it brought a divided country together and the role the Springboks played.
I have a friend, Tony Ridnell, who played rugby at the highest level for the Eagles the United States national team earning 14 caps in 15’s International competition, as well as many others in 7’s matches. I was fortunate enough to attend the Hong Kong 7’s a couple times which is one of the must see sporting events in the world. Tony played in Hong Kong several times with the Eagles and I know he agrees with me. Tony traveled the world representing the United States playing rugby. Not a bad way to spend a few years. I know, I’ve seen some of the photos!
Following his retirment from rugby, TR launched an extremely successful global chemical distribution company called TR International here in Seattle.
Back to my original comment about exaggerated movie moments for effect. I for one thought the 747 fly-over in Invictus was not only exaggerated, but probably just a fictional movie moment – until today. Tony posted the following photo on Facebook taken from his seat at the 1995 Rugby World Cup championship match at Ellis Park in Johannesburg featuring the Springboks versus the All Blacks of New Zealand.
Ellis Park Stadium 1995 Rugby World Cup 747 Fly-over
Can’t say I’ll never doubt another movie moment that seems to (fill in the blank) to be true, but as of today I don’t doubt this movie moment!
Thanks for sharing the photo with us mortals TR!
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