Using the well-worn structure of the rousing sports drama, Eastwood’s effective but conventional cinematic history lesson illuminates one of the most important international developments of the latter half of the 20th century by establishing the South African Springbok national rugby team as an infinitely flexible metaphor for changing race relations and the vast potential of genuine forgiveness. The film plays its moments of athletic triumph as illustrations of how genuine human connection can overcome any artificially imposed barriers, and even if it sometimes simplifies the historical issues in favor of uncomplicated multiplex feel-good uplift, it’s hard not to get swept up in the joy. (DVD Awards Screener)