The Last King of Scotland (film)

The Last King of Scotland (film)
Name	The Last King of Scotland
Director	Kevin Macdonald
Producer	Andrea Calderwood, Lisa Bryer, Charles Steel
Writer	Peter Morgan, Jeremy Brock
Starring	Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson
Music	Alex Heffes
Cinematography	Anthony Dod Mantle
Editing	Justine Wright
Studio	DNA Films, Film4 Productions
Released	September 27, 2006
Runtime	121 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Budget	$6 million
Gross	$48.4 million

The Last King of Scotland (film) is a 2006 British drama film directed by Kevin Macdonald and written by Peter Morgan and Jeremy Brock. The film is based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Giles Foden, which was inspired by the life of Idi Amin, the former President of Uganda. The film stars Forest Whitaker as Idi Amin, James McAvoy as Nicholas Garrigan, a young Scottish doctor who becomes Amin's personal physician, and Kerry Washington as Kay Amin, one of Amin's wives. The film also features Gillian Anderson as Sarah Merrit, a British doctor who works with Garrigan at a Kampala hospital.

Plot

The film tells the story of Nicholas Garrigan, a young Scottish doctor who travels to Uganda in the early 1970s to work at a rural hospital. Garrigan becomes embroiled in the politics of the country when he meets Idi Amin, who has just seized power in a coup d'état. Amin is a charismatic and intimidating figure, who is determined to modernize Uganda and assert its independence from British colonial rule. Garrigan is drawn into Amin's inner circle and becomes his personal physician, but he soon realizes that Amin's regime is marked by violence, corruption, and brutality. As Garrigan becomes more deeply embroiled in Amin's regime, he must confront the moral implications of his actions and decide where his loyalties lie. The film features a range of historical figures, including Henry Kyemba, Bob Astles, and Milton Obote, and explores the complex politics of Uganda during the 1970s.

Cast

The film features a talented cast, including Forest Whitaker as Idi Amin, James McAvoy as Nicholas Garrigan, Kerry Washington as Kay Amin, and Gillian Anderson as Sarah Merrit. The cast also includes Simon McBurney as Stone, a British diplomat, and David Oyelowo as Dr. Junju, a Ugandan doctor who becomes a friend and ally to Garrigan. The film's cast has been praised for their performances, with Whitaker's portrayal of Amin being particularly notable. Whitaker's performance was influenced by a range of sources, including Amin's own speeches and interviews, as well as the accounts of people who knew him, such as Dinesh Dhamija and William Shultz.

Production

The film was produced by DNA Films and Film4 Productions, and was shot on location in Uganda and United Kingdom. The film's director, Kevin Macdonald, is a Scottish filmmaker who has directed a range of documentaries and feature films, including One Day in September and State of Play. The film's screenplay was written by Peter Morgan and Jeremy Brock, and is based on the novel of the same name by Giles Foden. The film's score was composed by Alex Heffes, and features a range of African and European musical influences. The film's cinematography was handled by Anthony Dod Mantle, who has worked on a range of films, including 28 Days Later and Slumdog Millionaire.

Historical accuracy

The film is based on real events and figures, but it also takes some creative liberties with the story. Idi Amin was a real person, who ruled Uganda from 1971 to 1979, and was known for his brutal and authoritarian regime. The film's portrayal of Amin's regime is generally accurate, but it also omits some details and exaggerates others. For example, the film depicts Amin as a charismatic and intimidating figure, who is able to charm and manipulate those around him. This portrayal is consistent with accounts from people who knew Amin, such as Henry Kyemba and Bob Astles. However, the film also omits some of the more nuanced aspects of Amin's personality and regime, such as his relationships with other African leaders, like Julius Nyerere and Jomo Kenyatta.

Reception

The film received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising Whitaker's performance as Idi Amin. The film holds a 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 184 reviews, with an average rating of 7.5/10. The film also received several awards and nominations, including an Academy Award for Whitaker's performance. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $48 million at the box office. The film's success can be attributed to its talented cast, including James McAvoy and Kerry Washington, as well as its thought-provoking and timely storyline. The film's themes of power, corruption, and morality are timeless and universal, and are relevant to a range of historical and contemporary contexts, from Ancient Rome to Modern Africa.

Awards and nominations

The film received several awards and nominations, including an Academy Award for Forest Whitaker's performance as Idi Amin. The film also received several BAFTA Awards, including Best Actor for Whitaker and Best Supporting Actor for James McAvoy. The film was also nominated for several Golden Globe Awards, including Best Actor for Whitaker and Best Supporting Actor for McAvoy. The film's success at the awards ceremonies was a testament to its high quality and impact, and it has since become a classic of contemporary British cinema, alongside films like Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire. The film's awards and nominations are a reflection of its thought-provoking and timely storyline, as well as its talented cast and crew, including Kevin Macdonald, Peter Morgan, and Alex Heffes.

Category:British drama films