The Last King of Scotland [Blu-ray]

Director: Kevin Macdonald, Lisa Bryer, Andrea Calderwood, Christine Ruppert, James Mangold

Overview

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, and Forest Whitaker assumes the role of the notorious despot.

Product Details

Release Date:	02/02/2010
UPC:	0024543647959
Original Release:	2006
Rating:	R
Source:	20TH CENT
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, DTS 5.1-Channel Surround Sound]
Language:	English
Time:	2:03:00
Sales rank:	9,360

Special Features

7 deleted scenes with optional commentary by director Kevin MacDonald; Forest Whitaker Idi Amin featurette; Capturing Idi Amin documentary; Fox Movie Channel presents casting session - The Last King of Scotland

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Forest Whitaker	Idi Amin
James McAvoy	Nicholas Garrigan
Kerry Washington	Kay Amin
Gillian Anderson	Sarah Merrit
Simon McBurney	Nigel Stone
David Oyelowo	Dr. Junju
Abby Mukiibi	Masanga
Adam Kotz	le docteur Merrit
Barbara Rafferty	madame Garrigan
David Ashton	le docteur Garrigan
Martina Amati	Italian Journalist
Peter Salmon	White Businessman
Michael Wawuyo	Air Force Commander
Stephen Rwangyezi	Jonah Wasswa
Sam Okello	Bonny
Sarah Nagayi	Tolu
Chris Wilson	Perkins
Dr. Dick Stockley	Times Journalist
Daniel Ssettaba	Kay Amin's Servant
Apollo Okwenje Omamo	Mackenzie Amin
Louis Asea	Campbell Amin
Giles Foden	British Journalist 1
Andy Williams	British Journalist 2
Rene Peissker	German Journalist
Stern Jedidian	American Journalist
Dave A. Tarun	Asian Tailor
Clare Wandera	Secretary
Cleopatra Koheirwe	Joy
Joanitta B. Wandera	Malyamu Amin
Consodyne Buzabo	Nora Amin
Wilberforce Mutete	Guard
Haruna Walusimbi	Guard
Muhammed Kaweesa	Idi's Double
Grace Mugenyi	Idi's Double
John Bosco Obiya	Idi's Double
John Olima	Bagpiper
Angela Kalule	Chanteuse at Nightclub
Sam Namatiti	Bass/Keyboards
Mathias Muwonge	African Xylophone/Lyre
Joseph Kahirimbanyi	Guitar
Afrigo Band	Band at Party
Ndere Troupe	Dancers at Rally
The Nyonza Singers	Choir at Parliament
Alex Heffes	Conductor,Composer
Joaquin Phoenix	Actor
Reese Witherspoon	Actor

Technical Credits

Jeremy Brock

Peter Morgan

Joe Penhall

Jeremy Brock	Screenwriter
Peter Morgan	Screenwriter
Andrea Calderwood	Producer
Lisa Breyer	Producer
Charles Steel	Producer
Lisa Bryer	Producer
Tessa Ross	Producer,Executive Producer
Allon Reich	Producer,Executive Producer
Vicki Patterson	Producer
Christine Ruppert	Producer
Stuart Bruce	Sound Effects
Anthony Faust	Sound Effects
Sebastian Bulst	Special Effects
Gary Connery	Stunts
Joe Penhall	Screenwriter
Andrew Macdonald	Executive Producer
Joanitta B. Wandera	Casting
Eddie Stacey	Stunts
Marcus Alexander	Producer
Michael Wollmann	Sound/Sound Designer
Elektrofilm Postproduction Facilities	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

More fun that one might expect considering the subject matter, the first 20 minutes of Kevin Macdonald's The Last King of Scotland establishes James McAvoy's Nicholas Garrigan as a good looking, charming young rogue. Freshly graduated from medical school, he rebels against his conventional father by traveling to Uganda, where he indulges his desire for grand adventure and casual sex. Realistically embodying both the most repellent and attractive elements of his character, McAvoy evokes both sympathy and disgust in the audience, while Macdonald's expert pacing sacrifices neither momentum nor character development. It's a fascinating premise to explore how such a hedonistic youth becomes the lackey of a brutal dictator, and by the time a series of events brings Garrigan face-to-face with Idi Amin, then just beginning his rise to power, the audience clearly understands how Amin is able to so easily get the cocky doctor under his control. Basking in the attentions of a nation's leader feeds Garrigan's grand vision of himself, and grounds the events that follow in a fascinating psychological framework. Forest Whitaker's intense performance as Amin dominates The Last King of Scotland. His ability to be simultaneously ingratiating yet ceaselessly intense keeps the viewer on edge. The intricate emotional dance performed by the two lead actors gradually builds until Garrigan realizes Amin's deadly paranoia and egomania -- forcing the doctor to recognize the worst elements within himself. They say a good way to discover what a film is about is to look at what changed between the beginning and the end. If we apply this rule to The Last King of Scotland, it would appear that Garrigan is at the center of the story. However, the very end of the film focuses on Amin's downfall rather than Garrigan's return home. This is understandable, as the fate of the authoritarian ruler and his people is too important to ignore. Also, Whitaker's towering performance demands attention -- it's hard not to fixate on his screen presence -- but the movie would need one more scene of Garrigan digesting all that has happened to him in order for the film to maximize its impact on an audience. Fortunately, the remarkable acting by both men, and the stylish directing, makes The Last King of Scotland an engaging tale of humankind succumbing to its own worst instincts.