‘Mandela’: Learn The Facts Before You See The Movie

Nelson Mandela was one of the most important and influential figures of the 20th Century. But how much do you really know about him?

Audiences will get the chance to learn more about the public and private lives of Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid activist who became the first black president of South Africa, in the upcoming film biography "Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom," with Idris Elba ("Pacific Rim") playing the title role.

As The Weinstein Company gears up for the film's theatrical release in November, they've released a pair of graphic timelines that summarize the high points in the lives of Nelson Mandela and his wife and fellow activist Winnie Mandela, played in the movie by "Skyfall" star Naomi Harris.

The timelines offer a thumbnail sketch of the lives of the Mandelas, and feature pictures of the real Nelson and Winnie, rather than the actors who play them. The information provides an overview of the high and low points of their lives — marriages, children, academic success, and long prison stays for political activism.

The graphics also don’t shy away from controversial aspects of their lives — Nelson's multiple marriages and his refusal to renounce violence at a time when the African National Congress was under fire are both mentioned — as is Winnie's kidnapping conviction in 1990 (Winnie had always insisted she was 200 miles from home when a handful of children taken from an orphanage were given shelter at her house, in order to keep them away from an abusive priest).

Yahoo Movies will have more infographics around the life of Nelson Mandela leading up to when "Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom" goes into limited release on November 29, 2013.