The Invincibles: The 1974 Lions Rugby Tour of South Africa
Directed by Mark J. Kaplan2009 1h 32m[Documentary](/on-demand/category/documentary)
8.4
In 1974, the South African apartheid regime was under worldwide condemnation, and the country was banned from the Olympic Games and almost all international sporting events. In defiance of the developing international policy to isolate South Africa, the British and Irish Lions rugby team accepted the invitation to tour the country and play a test series against their ancient rivals, the legendary Springboks. This decision invoked a fierce reaction from the media and public, and the government disowned the team. The resulting series was one of the most violent the Lions ever played and the 22 matches produced remarkable rugby, including some of the most memorable tries in any series. After winning match after match, their captain christened them 'The Invincibles'. With footage showing Nelson Mandela's anti-apartheid movement and what life under the regime really meant for black South Africans, this film is a celebration of a remarkable rugby team and a poignant reminder of the scale of change in South Africa since that landmark tour.
