Summary

In December of 1956, Mandela and other ANC leaders, including Chief Luthuli, are arrested for treason and taken to Johannesburg Prison. Mandela describes the dismal conditions at the prison. Two weeks later, they are taken to a military building being repurposed for their trial, which comes to be known as the Treason Trial. They pay bail.

In the meantime, Mandela’s marriage to Evelyn is disintegrating. Evelyn, who has become a Jehovah’s Witness, does not understand Mandela’s commitment to politics and wishes that he would commit himself once again to religion. They separate, and Mandela regrets the effect that their separation had on their children.

The trial begins and both sides give their opening statements. The first month of the trial is fully taken up by the submission of evidence. After 13 months of preparatory examination, the judge rules that there is...