Idris Elba as Nelson Mandela: Trailer released for Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Idris Elba plays South Africa's anti-apartheid icon in the film

Idris Elba as Nelson Mandela

Today cinemagoers got their first look at a full trailer for the upcoming Nelson Mandela biopic.

Luther star Idris Elba plays South Africa's anti-apartheid icon in the film, set for release in November, leaving both the film and Elba in Oscar contention.

Earlier this month a much less revealing teaser trailer was released, showing little of how the British actor will look in character. But this latest release gives away a lot more of what the film will focus on - the future Nobel peace laureate's younger days as a fighter against white political supremacy.

Speaking about the role earlier this year, Elba said: "I learnt a lot about the man and his life, and I learnt a lot about sacrifice."