A United Kingdom (2017)

Seretse Khama, studying law in England as preparation for assuming his role as hereditary tribal chief in 1947 Bechuanaland, falls in love and marries a white English woman. This causes massive diplomatic problems, leading to the British government exiling him from his own country.This is a fairly straightforward dramatisation of a true story, set in post-war England and Africa. At a time when racial prejudice was still rife, mixed marriages were frowned upon generally and, given Khama's regal status in Bechuanaland (now Botswana), his marriage to a white commoner was unfavourably received in his own country. Yet this was almost insignificant next to the British reaction, where Ruth was more or less ordered by the government not to marry Seretse. And Ruth's father disowned her.The romance angle is more or less underplayed here. David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike have sufficient chemistry for us to believe they are marrying for love, even though this seems to be entirely on the basis of two or three dances and Seretse having a punch-up with some racist thugs.And when they arrive in Africa they encounter more of the same, only in reverse. This leads to a schism between Seretse and his uncle which, in turns, provides grounds for the British government (Bechuanaland was a British protectorate at the time) to exile him.The film is very good at evoking the 1950-ish era, especially in England, and the sense of time and location work effectively.Oyelowo and Pike do well as the fraught lovers, Tom Felton continues to impress in character parts, and Jack Davenport is brilliant as a supremely confident civil servant. Nicholas Lyndhurst is very un-Rodney-ish as Ruth's father.Very often, this sort of film is so concerned with the significance of the points it is making that it forgets to be entertaining (Idris Elba's Mandela movie comes to mind). But director Amma Asante follows up her previous movie Belle with a film which has something important to say, and which says it in an engaging, and sometimes moving, way.This left me feeling uplifted even though it, very conspicuously, did not leave me feeling proud to be British.

I never knew about this story, and enjoyed this movie immensely. Anyone that gives this a bad review did not watch the same movie that I did. It's a heartwarming story of love, devotion and racism in a turbulent time in the world. We owe much to the historical people of the past.

A wonderful beautiful, dramatic, compelling and sensitive film. It is a romance, a political drama, and an historical documentary all in one. The acting is superb. The cinematography both in sunny, scenic Africa and foggy, wet London is masterful. There are a couple of minor discrepancies. For example the word "black" is repeated many times but in 1947, the usual term was "negro" or "coloured." A few other discrepancies turn up in the "goofs" section. But they don't really matter nor do they detract from what in all respects is a cinematic masterpiece. It goes on my top five list!

This isn't just about an African King marrying an English woman. It's actually quite an epic and significant true story about the country that became Botswana. This movie doesn't shy away from showing the blatant attempts at colonial plundering and exploitation by the post war British government of the time and even Winston Churchill in a bad light. This political aspect gives it quite a grand historic sweep recalling Gandhi in it's powerful message.Rosamund Pike is more expressive than usual and quite good. David Oyewolo is quite effective restrained and yet convincing giving dignity to the role.Worth watching. ALmost as good as Cry Freedom.