Condannato a combattere - The Forgiven

An essential film explaining quite a bit of the appartheid and its dissolution. Good and evil fights.

I've never written an IMDB review before but am provoked to do so by the current rating of 5.8, which is so far off the mark that I am shocked. Whitaker and Bana both give Oscar-worthy performances. This is Bana's best performance ever --- he makes his character truly terrifying. The interaction between Bana and Whitaker is so intense that it should be a film-study classic. This great story weaves together the best and worst things about humans. A great story, too, and an important educational lesson.

Well this is my first ever review of any film on imdb. This was a subtle yet powerful film. Played out with a sense of realism and not a glamorous melodrama. I really enjoyed this and the performances of all were great. Eric Bana again knocks it out of the park, and forrest well what can you say. The ending crept up like a patient cat waiting to strike you unexpected and... IT DID. Well worth a watch and something that can teach you a great deal about the power of the human soul to endure and forgive. Against all odds.

It is tough - what goes on in certain regions of the world. The movie boasts Eric Bana and Forest Whittaker - both amazing actors in their own rights. But the subject matter is the one that counts. And it is one that if you are a decent human being will really make you angry ... to say the least.

There are many things in this that will appall you ... that will infuriate you. There is some relief along the way if you can call it that, but mostly this is heavy stuff. There is no right way to go about certain things ... or no right way for all. Because while revenge or forgiveness are the two main things you can choose from ... how can you tell someone who lost so much ... who has dealt in so much pain, what to do? And it is not like there is just good and bad ... I mean there is in some situations, but the overall it is quite complex ... as is the movie. Which is why it might not touch a nerve with you ... or touch all of them at once.

I for one didn't know much of the Apartheid 'era' (for want of a better word), but found his film to be a raw and confronting telling of the draconian state of affairs predominately black South Africans were forced to suffer through.

Whitaker's performance was flawless. Bana's was solid.

That last scene in the court room was bloody gripping.

Part of me would have liked to have seen Bana break at some point but I was left satisfied enough at how his story ended up being told.

It's not one you'd plan your night around but I felt it had enough grit and intrigue to earn its rating.