The film of 35 million U. S. dollars featuring the life of former South African president Nelson Mandela was premiered in Johannesburg on Sunday evening, stirring emotional memories of the anti-apartheid icon.

The film -- Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom -- is based on his autobiography.

According to the British director of the film, Justin Chadwick, Mandela saw excerpts and stills from the film at his home in Qunu last year.

Mandela, 95, was admitted to hospital several times since December and remains critically ill at his Johannesburg home.

Mandela became the first black president in 1994 after the democratic elections. His daughter Mandela Zindzi said she became emotional when she saw the film.

In honor of the South African struggle icon, many of the Mandela family who attended the film's launch were on a red carpet.

Commenting after the debut of the movie, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe said it was an emotional movie.

Radebe said, "It (the film) depicts not only the struggle by Nelson Mandela but also by the people of South Africa." "I cried many times during the movie because it was so emotional."

African National Congress (ANC) Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said the movie portrayed the former South Africa president well. "The movie is a clear testimony of the great works done by Mr Mandlela," said Ramaphosa.

The two and half hours long film will be released in South Africa and the United States on Nov. 28.

Many of South Africa's well-known politicians, business people, men and women showed up at the film's premiere.

After the movie, people waited anxiously outside to meet with the cast. Winnie Madikizela Mandela, former wife of Mandela, met with Naomie Harries, who plays the former wife in the film. Harris also starred in the James Bond movie "Skyfall."

The film has two British actors in the leading roles, but the film-makers insist it is a South African story told largely by South Africans.

It also features actor Tony Kgoroge, who played the role of a presidential security chief in "Invictus," the 2009 movie directed by Clint Eastwood that starred Morgan Freeman as Mandela in the period leading up to South Africa's World Cup rugby title in 1995.

This time Kgoroge plays Walter Sisulu, a longtime associate of Mandela.