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The President's Last Bang

Play trailer Poster for The President's Last Bang 2005 1h 42m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.
The President's Last Bang

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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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Critics Reviews

View All (34) Critics Reviews
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 Full Review Ted Fry Seattle Times The President's Last Bang comes off as all too ridiculously believable. Rated: 3/4 Dec 9, 2005 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Paul Dale The List It's a daring glance into the past... Uniquely cherish-able. Rated: 4/5 Apr 26, 2019 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (49) audience reviews
Audience Member Gripping, fast-moving, satirical look at a pivotal moment in South Korean history. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Audience Member interesting political satire about the assassination of president park chun-hee Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews
The President's Last Bang

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Movie Info

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