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The Last King Of Scotland [2006]


RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £4.24 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

As the evil Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, Forest Whitaker gives an unforgettable performance in The Last King of Scotland. Powerfully illustrating the terrible truth that absolute power corrupts absolutely, this fictionalised chronicle of Amin's rise and fall is based on the acclaimed novel by Giles Foden, in which Amin's despotic reign of terror is viewed through the eyes of Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy), a Scottish doctor who arrives in Uganda in the early 1970s to serve as Amin's personal physician. His outsider's perspective causes him to be initially impressed by Amin's calculated rise to power, but as the story progresses--and as Whitaker's award-worthy performance grows increasingly monstrous--The Last King of Scotland turns into a pointed examination of how independent Uganda (a British colony until 1962) became a breeding ground for Amin's genocidal tyranny. As Whitaker plays him, Amin is both seductive and horribly destructive--sometimes in the same breath--and McAvoy effectively conveys the tragic cost of his character's naiveté, which grows increasingly prone to exploitation. As directed by Kevin Macdonald (who made the riveting semi-documentary Touching the Void), this potent cautionary tale my prompt some viewers to check out Barbet Schroeder's equally revealing documentary General Idi Amin Dada, an essential source for much of this film's authentic detail. --Jeff Shannon


Superb film
Review date: 2008-10-23 Rating: 10 out of 10

I don't tend to follow award nominations, as they can be very pretentious. However, at this price, I thought to give it a try. I have to say I was not disappointed! I remember something of this regime on television as I was growing up, but did not know much about it. This film had a compelling story, outstanding acting, and a great insight into African politics and the British involvement. This I found to be quite different to most films, in the fact that the 'hero' of this story is more of an anti-hero, who is only the hero as he is less bad than the bad guy. Excellent story based on real history, a must view!

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Reviews


Painful
Review date: 2008-07-16 Rating: 4 out of 10

A skewered plot and an awful performance by James McAvoy combine to make this film a painful viewing experience.

Quality acting and quality film
Review date: 2008-06-11 Rating: 10 out of 10

Not sure what people who gave this film one star were expecting!

It is an interesting, and disturbing, film, which is similar in some ways to "Killing Fields", whilst being totally different! (If that makes sense!?)

The two main characters are well-played, and the story - despite one or two "well, I saw that coming" moments - is good, and keeps up a reasonable pace.

For someone I had heard of, but knew little about, this film was a very good starting point, and has prompted me to read further...

Dire overhyped nonsense
Review date: 2008-05-18 Rating: 2 out of 10

5 Stars?? What level of satisfaction do some people have for a movie. This is a tedious non story whose plot is about as opaque as a broken window. What riled me most was the subtle way the film's credits before and after tried to suggest by association (focussing on what happened to Amin 'after' this) that this film was in some ways an historic document. Once you wake up to the fact the Scottish doctor never existed and that none of this is anything more than fiction in front of an imagined factual backgound you have to ask yourself what is it for. It casts no fresh light on Amin. Its makers could be forgiven if it was a great story well acted, but it is neither (Whiteker's Amin is a masterclass in over playing and McAvoy was a much more convincing character as the boyfriend in Early Doors).
Don't waste your saturday night.

Ugandan discussions
Review date: 2008-03-04 Rating: 6 out of 10

This is a film of two halves. Forrest Whittaker as Idi Amin is an astonishing performance that takes one back to the real man; he imposes himself physically and mentally on the whole film. How unfortunate therefore that so much of the film is James McAvoy smirking fit to bust and playing a thoroughly unbelievable character very loosely based on a much more interesting real person. I am not sure if it is the script or the actor who is to blame, or whether no-one would prevail alongside Whittaker, but sadly it misses opportunities while tantalising with what it could have been.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
David Oyelowo
James McAvoy
Gillian Anderson
Kerry Washington
Forest Whitaker

Creators:
James McAvoy (Primary Contributor)
Forest Whitaker (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
EAN: 5039036030922
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Subtitled,
Release date: 2007-05-14
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 118 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2006
Language: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired)
Language: English (Original Language)

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