The Last King of Scotland

The Last King of Scotland (2006)

  • 87% of critics liked it
    (179 reviews)

  • 87% of users liked it
    (234,156 ratings)

Director Kevin MacDonald teams with screenwriter Jeremy Brock to adapt Giles Foden's novel detailing the brutal reign of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin as seen through the eyes of his personal physician. James McAvoy stars as the doctor who slowly realizes that he is trapped in an inescapable nightmare,… More

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R, 2 hr. 1 min.
Directed By
Kevin Macdonald, David Oyelowo
Written By
Peter Morgan, Jeremy Brock
Genres
Drama
In Theaters
Sep 27, 2006 Wide
On DVD
Apr 17, 2007
Fox Searchlight

Critic Reviews

  • Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

    Mr. Whitaker and Mr. McAvoy head a first-rate cast that helps The Last King of Scotland to illuminate one of the many dark chapters in recent African history.

  • Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

    If this genius turn by Whitaker (he starred in Bird and The Crying Game) doesn't earn an Oscar nomination, then those little statues will lose what little meaning they have.

  • Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

    See the movie for Whitaker alone: He's possessed by evil and possesses it wholly, rendering the film (and everyone in it) his plaything.

  • Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

    A good movie elevated by Whitaker's pitch-perfect performance.

  • Bill Muller, Arizona Republic

    Rare is the actor who can accomplish an instant transformation from beast to buddy, but Whitaker makes it look easy.

Read all 17 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Raymond W


    Ugandan dictator Idi Amin was portrayed as a funny, charismatic and tender guy, but he never let us forget that he was a maniacal monster. This is a brutal political thriller about power and corruption. The film shows the lengths at one will go for power and money and the persuasion… More

  • xGary X


    Based on the experiences of a young Scottish doctor who becomes the unlikely confidante of brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, this film is quite even-handed in it's representation of the two main characters. Whitaker was fully deserving of his Oscar and McAvoy looking for the… More

  • Steven C


    "The Last King of Scotland" is obviously known for winning Forest Whitaker a Best Actor Oscar for his earth shaking performance as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, but other than that, I feel like it's a rather overlooked film. The movie really is a terrific experience;… More

  • Conner R


    Even though it was an oscar winning movie, it still doesn't get enough praise for the right reasons. Forest Whitaker is very breathtaking in his role as Idi Amin, but I feel that James McAvoy turned in the better performance and really became overshadowed for no reason. The look… More

  • Jens S


    People should not think this is a Idi Amin biography, he is a main character, but the story is told from the point of view of his doctor, a Scottish hotshot who loves women a little too much for his own good. And therein lies the problem of the film, Dr. Garrigan is not as likable as… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

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