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The Last King of Scotland

Play trailer Poster for The Last King of Scotland R 2007 2h 1m Biography Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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87% Tomatometer 183 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
While in Uganda on a medical mission, Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan becomes the personal physician and close confidant of dictator Idi Amin. 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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The Last King of Scotland

The Last King of Scotland

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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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Critics Reviews

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Joshua Rothkopf Time Out 02/03/2007
3/6
Having cut his teeth on documentaries, Kevin Macdonald acts as if a shaky-cam aesthetic alone is enough to fuel dramatic tension. Go to Full Review Sandra Hall Sydney Morning Herald 02/02/2007
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. Go to Full Review Matthew Leyland BBC.com 01/12/2007
4/5
Hard to believe that an actor previously renowned for his gentleness could play such a monster, but the transformation is seamless. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 03/08/2024
3.5/4
Neither overly political nor overly intellectual, The Last King of Scotland is a powerful, accessible biopic of one of history’s recent madmen. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand 09/24/2023
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... Go to Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter 05/12/2020
An electric chemistry between McAvoy and Whitaker allows us to suspend our disbelief at the doctor's feckless gullibility... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Christopher C. @PapaTangooo May 20 Whitaker is a marvel. Fantastic performance. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Mar 1 Based on a true story in 2 hours and 1 minute. Winner of 2007 Academy Award for Best Actor (Forest Whittaker). See more Anna L @AnnaL Dec 26 Sad but very interesting. The title is weird, does not really match the movie. I just watched it to see how a new actor could take an Oscar instead of DiCaprio, but he really did a great job. See more Johannes S @RT64416087 Oct 8 Idi Amin, another cruel and vicious dictator in the history of modern Africa. Excellent portrayal through this movie and rightful oscar win for Whittaker! See more Faiz D @RT95588871 05/13/2025 A superbly directed and acted movie. See more Breno G @RT17565543 04/24/2025 Special Effects: 1,0/Sound Effects: 0,5/Acting: 0,5/Story: 0,5 See more Read all reviews
The Last King of Scotland

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Cast & Crew

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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

Stone

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The Last King of Scotland

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Movie Info

Synopsis While in Uganda on a medical mission, Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan becomes the personal physician and close confidant of dictator Idi Amin. 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