The President's Last Bang

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The President's Last Bang

2005

1h 42m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

In the late 1970s, South Korean president Park Chung-hee (Song Jae-ho) leads a life of leisure and excess. Heavily insulated from his citizens and enjoying lavish surroundings, Chung feasts on the finest foods and constantly finds himself in the company of women. When Kim Jae-kyu (Han Suk-kyu), the disillusioned head of the South Korean secret service, finds out that he is suffering from a terminal disease, he resolves to assassinate Chung-hee for the good of his country.

Critics Consensus

Although it's possibly best enjoyed by viewers with some knowledge of South Korean history, The President's Last Bang entertainingly blends true crime and dark comedy.

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Janice Page

Boston Globe

what the film lacks in depth it makes up for in Hong Kong-style punch, with vivid cinematography and powerfully choreographed action.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 3, 2006

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Ted Fry

Seattle Times

The President's Last Bang comes off as all too ridiculously believable.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 9, 2005

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Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

Although a tad long-winded and plodding, it's vigorously acted and persuasive, leaving the viewer to suspect that Im's account, drawn from historical records, could be pretty close to the truth.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 30, 2005

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William Schwartz

HanCinema

Scenes of grotesque violence are handled oddly lackadaisically, with the occasional low-ranking character meekly suggesting that maybe this isn't such a good idea before reluctantly agreeing to follow orders anyway.

Jul 10, 2020

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Paul Dale

The List

It's a daring glance into the past... Uniquely cherish-able.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 26, 2019

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Jason Gorber

Film Scouts

The film certainly doesn't spend too much superfluous time introducing the players, so it's at times confusing keeping track of just who is doing what to whom. Nonetheless, I found that it unfolded with enough style and humour to keep it interesting.

Rated: B

Jun 21, 2007

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Audience Member

Gripping, fast-moving, satirical look at a pivotal moment in South Korean history.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

Caustic to a fault, The President's Last Bang just might be the most damning political satire to ever come out of South Korea.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

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Audience Member

People must have really hated the president at the time to make a movie like this. I've read this is supposed to be a sort of comedy, but the subject matter didn't exactly induct me to laughter. I think to fully judge this movie I would need to have more of a cultural knowledge of South Korea (beyond just knowing he was a military dictator that was unpopular). On a purely cinematic level, it's not a very good movie.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

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Audience Member

interesting political satire about the assassination of president park chun-hee

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

I was not familiar with the plot to knock off the Korean dictator Park Chung Hee. I'm not sure if that helped or hurt my viewing of this film but it kept me hooked. I was completely fascinated by the turns of events and the conclusion was fresh.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Audience Member

entertaining. though i must say i had expected to like it more cos of the rave reviews and hoo-ha over this flick.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

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Im Sang-soo

Director

Han Suk-kyu

KCIA Chief Agent Ju

Baek Yun-shik

KCIA Director Kim

Song Jae-ho

President Park Chun-hee

Kim Eung-soo

KCIA Agent Colonel Min

Gweon Byeong-gil

President's Chief Secretary Yang

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Synopsis

In the late 1970s, South Korean president Park Chung-hee (Song Jae-ho) leads a life of leisure and excess. Heavily insulated from his citizens and enjoying lavish surroundings, Chung feasts on the finest foods and constantly finds himself in the company of women. When Kim Jae-kyu (Han Suk-kyu), the disillusioned head of the South Korean secret service, finds out that he is suffering from a terminal disease, he resolves to assassinate Chung-hee for the good of his country.

Director: Im Sang-soo
Production Co: MK Pictures
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: Korean
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 12, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.9K
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Surround