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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Taglines:

The true story of a love that shook an empire.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

David Oyelowo is in real life married to (white woman) Jessica Oyelowo, who plays the wife to Sir Alistair Canning in the movie.

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Goofs

The Chevrolet that the prince and his new bride were travelling around in displayed faded paintwork, but at the time the event was taking place, it would have been a new car.

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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

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Connections

Referenced in MsMojo: Top 10 Anticipated Releases of February 2017 (2017)

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Soundtracks

Rebop Hop
Written and Performed by William Keel-Stocker, James Rawlinson, Peter Elliot & Edward Babar
Published by Copyright Control

User Reviews

Savagely under-rated, A United Kingdom is 2016's hidden gem

A United Kingdom is a true and gripping tale which handles it true historical source material with aplomb. With fantastic performances from Oyelowo and especially Pike, the central characters plight is beautifully illustrated. It's not perfect; some of the writing is a little clunky, but the character chemistry is there, and you leave the movie theatre feeling like a part of the story.

Quite how this movie receives the rating it does is completely beyond me. I can only imagine that half the voters didn't in fact see the movie.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Czech Republic UK France USA

Language:

Tswana English

Release Date:

10 February 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

A United Kingdom

Filming Locations:

Serowe, Botswana

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Searchlight Pictures, Pathe UK, Pathé

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1