The Last King of Scotland

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The Last King of Scotland

R

2007

2h 1m

Biography

Drama

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Popcornmeter

87%

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183 Reviews

89%

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250,000+ Ratings

While in Uganda on a medical mission, Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy) becomes the personal physician and close confidante of dictator Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker). Although at first Dr. Garrigan feels flattered by his new position of power, he soon comes to realize that Amin's rule is soaked in blood, and that he is complicit in the atrocities. Garrigan faces the fight of his life as he tries to escape Amin's grasp.

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Critics Consensus

Forest Whitaker's performance as real-life megalomaniac dictator Idi Amin powers this fictionalized political thriller, a blunt and brutal tale about power and corruption.

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Joshua Rothkopf

Time Out

Having cut his teeth on documentaries, Kevin Macdonald acts as if a shaky-cam aesthetic alone is enough to fuel dramatic tension.

Rated: 3/6

Feb 3, 2007

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

The horror, when it finally moves to the centre of the screen, gives us Amin's barbarity in close-up -- and he's still smiling.

Feb 2, 2007

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Matthew Leyland

BBC.com

Hard to believe that an actor previously renowned for his gentleness could play such a monster, but the transformation is seamless.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 12, 2007

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Neither overly political nor overly intellectual, The Last King of Scotland is a powerful, accessible biopic of one of history’s recent madmen.

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 8, 2024

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Bigger than life, volatile, unstable, whipping from childlike generosity to ferocious vengeance to crippling paranoia in seconds, it’s the kind of role that invites accolades and [Forest] Whitaker deserves them all...

Sep 24, 2023

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David Lamble

Bay Area Reporter

An electric chemistry between McAvoy and Whitaker allows us to suspend our disbelief at the doctor's feckless gullibility...

May 12, 2020

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Johannes S

Idi Amin, another cruel and vicious dictator in the history of modern Africa. Excellent portrayal through this movie!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/08/25

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Faiz D

A superbly directed and acted movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

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Breno G

Special Effects: 1,0/Sound Effects: 0,5/Acting: 0,5/Story: 0,5

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/24/25

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Ricardo B

Ancorado pela forte atuação de Forest Whitaker, no papel de Idi Amin, ditador militar da Uganda de 1971 a 1979, "O Último Rei da Escócia" começa devagar e inconsistente, mas pega embalo no meio do caminho e encontra o seu propósito narrativo: um brutal e violento conto sobre a força corruptiva do poder, marcado por um terceiro ato recheado de tensão e suspense.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/20/25

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Adam E

Had me hooked from the start. A gem of a film, albeit shocking in parts.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/15/25

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Audience Member

What a story! Cant believe that was less than 2 hours

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/08/25

Full Review

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Kevin Macdonald

Director

Forest Whitaker

Idi Amin

James McAvoy

Nicholas Garrigan

Kerry Washington

Kay Amin

Gillian Anderson

Sara Merrit

Simon McBurney

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Synopsis

While in Uganda on a medical mission, Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy) becomes the personal physician and close confidante of dictator Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker). Although at first Dr. Garrigan feels flattered by his new position of power, he soon comes to realize that Amin's rule is soaked in blood, and that he is complicit in the atrocities. Garrigan faces the fight of his life as he tries to escape Amin's grasp.

Director: Kevin Macdonald
Producer: Lisa Bryer, Andrea Calderwood, Charles Steel
Screenwriter: Peter Morgan, Jeremy Brock
Distributor: Fox
Production Co: DNA Films, Fox Searchlight, FilmFour
Rating: R (Language|Gruesome Images|Sexual Content|Some Strong Violence)
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 19, 2007, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 12, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $17.6M
Runtime: 2h 1m

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