The Weinstein Company released the first official U.S. trailer for Nelson Mandela biopic, Long Walk to Freedom, this week. It arrived just in time for the former South African president's 95 birthday on Thursday.
Mandela, who led his nation out of apartheid, has been hospitalized in Pretoria for more than one month with a lung infection. In the above clip, actor Idris Elba steps into the shoes of a younger Mandela, taking viewers through a journey from the revolutionary's childhood in a rural village to his inauguration as South Africa's first democratically elected president — including all the hardships in between.
"He was public enemy #1. Hunted by the police. Feared by the government," the trailer proclaims in bold lettering. "Revolutionary. Outlaw. Rebel. Fighter. Radical. Liberator."
Based on Mandela's autobiography and directed by Justin Chadwick, the film also stars Naomie Harris as Winnie, Mandela's wife. Harris is best known for her role as Eve in Skyfall.
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is set to debut in U.S. theaters on Nov. 29.