A United Kingdom (2016)

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)

Stars:

David Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike, Tom Felton

2 wins & 4 nominations.

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

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.

---

Plot Keywords:

botswana | africa | 1940s | 1950s | forbidden love | 

---

Taglines:

The true story of a love that shook an empire.

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some language including racial epithets and a scene of sensuality

Details

Country:

Czech Republic UK USA France

Language:

Tswana English

Release Date:

10 February 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

Um Reino Unido

Filming Locations:

Serowe, Botswana

Box Office

Budget:

$14,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$66,510, 12 February 2017, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$3,901,302, 19 May 2017

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,819,139, 23 July 2017

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pathé,BBC Films,Ingenious Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

---

Goofs

When husband and wife arrive in the blue sedan at the Palapye Hotel, Rosamund Pike looks to her right and observes a man and woman being seated at a table outside the hotel. She then looks to her left and the same man and woman can be seen walking toward the hotel with a hotel porter carrying their bags.

---

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

---

Connections

Featured in Conan: David Oyelowo/Louie Anderson/Angel Olsen (2017)

---

Soundtracks

Setlhako Sa Ga Mogatsa Seretse
Traditional

User Reviews

Great Movie and Hidden Jewel.

This is one of those movies that is flying under the radar and deserves to be seen. It is a wonderful story, well scripted, well acted, and has terrific cinematography. The fact that is a true story makes one wonder what the hell we have been learning in school when we have never been taught this type of history. I give this a ten and really it deserves it. It is a shame people have degraded the rating for some reason other than the fact that this is good cinema. It is a very deserving movie and is like the movie Hidden Figures or Queen Katwe, it is important for history. I am a white conservative and think everyone should see the movie.