The Last King of Scotland | |
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UK theatrical release poster
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Directed by | Kevin Macdonald |
Produced by |
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Screenplay by | |
Based on |
The Last King of Scotland by Giles Foden |
Starring | |
Music by | Alex Heffes |
Cinematography | Anthony Dod Mantle |
Edited by | Justine Wright |
Production
company |
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Distributed by | Fox Searchlight Pictures |
Release date
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Running time
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123 minutes |
Country |
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Language |
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Budget | $6 million |
Box office | $48.4 million |
Academy Awards record | |
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1. Best Actor (Forest Whitaker) | |
Golden Globe Awards record | |
1. Best Actor - Drama (Forest Whitaker) | |
BAFTA Awards record | |
1. Best British Film | |
2. Best Actor (Forest Whitaker) | |
3. Best Adapted Screenplay |
The Last King of Scotland is a 2006 British historical drama film based on Giles Foden's novel The Last King of Scotland (1998), adapted by screenwriters Peter Morgan and Jeremy Brock, and directed by Kevin Macdonald. The film was a co-production between companies from the United Kingdom and the United States, including Fox Searchlight Pictures and Film4, and was a financial success.
The film tells the fictional story of Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy), a young Scottish doctor who travels to Uganda and becomes the personal physician of President Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker). The film is based on events of Amin's rule, and the title comes from a reporter in a press conference who wishes to verify whether Amin, who was known to adopt fanciful imperial titles for himself, declared himself the King of Scotland.
The film received widespread critical acclaim. Particular focus went to Whitaker, who received outstanding critical acclaim for his portrayal of Amin. He won Best Actor at the Academy Awards, among others.
In 1970, Nicholas Garrigan graduates from medical school at the University of Edinburgh. With dull prospects at home, he decides to seek adventure abroad by working at a Ugandan missionary clinic run by Dr. David Merrit (Adam Kotz) and Merrit's wife, Sarah. Garrigan becomes attracted to Sarah, who enjoys the attention, but refuses to engage in an extramarital affair.