Morgan Freeman will be monitored round-the-clock by a private doctor on his new movie.

Producers on "The Human Factor" are concerned about the health of the 71-year-old actor - who plays Nelson Mandela in the film - and director Clint Eastwood, 78, and have flown a private doctor out to the African set to care for the ageing stars.

A source told the New York Daily News newspaper: "Morgan is under special scrutiny because of his near fatal car accident back in August. There's a huge budget for the film at stake. These guys are getting up there in age.

"Sure, they had physicals before leaving - everyone has to. But the private doctor was just an agreed upon decision on all sides of the table."

Clint recently acknowledged he is getting old, but says his passion for films keeps him young at heart.

He said: "I like taking it easy, I like golf and I like Budweiser. All that stuff is fine, but the main thing is I still like working, I think working keeps you young, I think it keeps your mind active. It's like exercising your body - exercising your brain. Both of them are synonymous."

(China Daily/Agencies March 3, 2009)