6.9/10
14,432
85 user 165 critic

A United Kingdom (2016)

Trailer
2:24 | Trailer
The story of King Seretse Khama of Botswana and how his loving but controversial marriage to a British white woman, Ruth Williams, put his kingdom into political and diplomatic turmoil.

Director:

Amma Asante

Writers:

Guy Hibbert (screenplay by), Susan Williams (based upon the book 'Colour Bar' by)
2 wins & 4 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Oyelowo ... Seretse Khama
Rosamund Pike ... Ruth Williams
Tom Felton ... Rufus Lancaster
Jack Davenport ... Sir Alistair Canning
Laura Carmichael ... Muriel Williams
Terry Pheto ... Naledi Khama
Jessica Oyelowo ... Lady Lilly Canning
Vusi Kunene ... Tshekedi Khama
Nicholas Lyndhurst ... George Williams
Arnold Oceng ... Charles
Anastasia Hille ... Dot Williams
Charlotte Hope ... Olivia Lancaster
Theo Landey ... Michael Nash
Abena Ayivor ... Ella Khama
Jack Lowden ... Tony Benn
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Storyline

In the late 1940s, Prince Seretse Khama of Bechuanaland is studying law in Britain in preparation for his eventual ascension to the throne. There, the dashing prince falls in love with a white British clerk, Ruth Williams, and they plan to marry. While they suspect that his uncle, the Regent, would disapprove, nothing prepares them for the diplomatic firestorm and domestic political tumult their defiant love would spark. Now facing a citizenry leery of a white Briton as their Queen, the international opposition is even more unyielding from the British holding their land as a protectorate and fearful of South Africa's racist backlash to this affront to their apartheid domination. Against all odds, King Khama and Ruth must struggle to maintain their love and help their people in a land that would become the Republic of Botswana. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

The true story of a love that shook an empire.


Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Is scheduled to film in Botswana and London for two months. (Oct. 2015) See more »

Goofs

At about 1'17, the civil servant refers to the new Prime Minister as Sir Winston Churchill. He was not knighted until 1953. See more »

Quotes

Roberts: [on seeing Ruth with Seretse] Oh look its a c**n out on a night out from the zoo
Ruth Williams: [disgusted] You scum
See more »


Soundtracks

Well Git It
Words and Music by Sy Oliver
Performed by Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
Published by Peter Maurice Music co. Ltd,'EM1 Music Publishing Ltd
Licensed Courtesy of AVID Entertainment
See more »

User Reviews

 
Powerful story beautifully told
25 March 2017 | by DiedelmonSee all my reviews

At first I thought this movie would ruin this story. It's a painful, yet hopeful and loving chapter of African history. This is NOT a love story. If people should come to watch this movie hoping for a "love conquers all" plot... They should be very disappointed. And I'm fairly glad for that. I congratulate the director, Amma Asante, for rendering this story into the big screen with delicacy and respect to all involved. I thank her for realizing all this story was NOT, and putting it out for the public from the first frame. I also love her for showing almost everything this story was about, without going into great detail.

This movie is based on the true relationship between the King of (now) Botswana, Sir Seretse Khama, and a white British woman, Ruth Williams. Today we might know Ruth and Khama as leaders in the fight for the country's independence (since it was, when they married, a British protectorate), but their struggle started way sooner. Their story became their country's story. A fight for their right to choose.

It's not about their love. It's about his choice, not to marry within his tribe's customs, and her choice, to up and leave her home, building herself a new life from scratch. It's about a country's choice to their leader - and how much the world hates him, her and the country for the nerve to demand their voices be heard with such fire.

Amma Asante thrives on sewing up Seretse and Ruth deep within the political setting, in a beautiful dance, until we cannot see the lines between them. She also shows how much resistance change can face - and overcome. Their marriage becomes a set of lens for the viewer to analyze strength and frailty confined in this tiny world full of hope. And it gets you going.

Rosamund Pike and Daniel Oyelowo are simply superb. His performance here is stronger than Selma's, which is saying something. And though Pike had less screen time than Oyelowo, her presence is felt throughout every scene. It doesn't fail. Pike gives a poignant performance of a true turnaround in life, and she gets us engaged with her every move. She doesn't have to show her face; every spin this movie gives gets the viewer thinking about Ruth's reaction, thanks to her powerful deliverance.

With that power couple, I thought the supporting cast would be weak and acceptable... I was surprised. Again. Tom Felton, Jack Davenport, Laura Carmichael (why, hello, Lady Edith!), Terry Pheto, Vusi Kunene, Jessica Oyelowo and Abena Ayivor, to name a (very) few, were splendid in their roles and really brought the tension between marriage and politics alive.

Cinematography is delightful, which goes really well with the dazzling music score. The somber tones of post-war London are contrast to the joyful sounds and colors of the southern borders of Africa; yet you hear pain in their laughter as well as you see smiles in British tears. Everything is designed to really bring the viewer there and then.

It's an interesting and delicate take in a true story, that happened not so long ago. It's a solid 7, because of historical inconsistencies throughout the film (the lasting of the protectorate, Indian's ruler at the time of independence, and so on), but it's definitely worth at least a screening.


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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Czech Republic | UK | France | USA

Language:

Tswana | English

Release Date:

25 November 2016 (UK) See more »

Also Known As:

Un royaume uni See more »

Filming Locations:

Serowe, Botswana See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$14,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$66,510, 12 February 2017

Gross USA:

$3,902,185

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,459,330
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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