The Last King Of Scotland DVD > Reviews

Advantages: powerful fast paced story, spellbinding.
Disadvantages: needs to make clear that this is part fact, part fiction

...amazing performance as Idi Amin, the Ugandan dictator who rose to power in the 1970s. James McAvoy plays Nicholas Garrigan, a Scottish doctor who goes to Uganda and becomes Amin's personal doctor. The film uses the doctor to show what kind of man/dictator Amin is, plus all the lavish lifestyle he has become used to, is simply not worth it due to the bloodshed and corruption around him Forest Whitaker plays this larger than life character with such ... Read review

Advantages: A good thriller with its roots in history, fantastic performance by Forest Whitaker
Disadvantages: Difficult to feel empathy with the "hero", some violent scenes

I missed this film at the cinema so was keen to see it once it made it onto DVD. Although the main character is real, and some of the other characters too, the story itself is entirely fictional, as is the doctor played by James McAvoy. The performance by Forest Whitaker has been widely praised, and for good reason. His portrayal of Amin, brings together the charm and menace of the man. It would be a role that would be very easy to go over the ... Read review

Advantages: Acting, powerful images and plot
Disadvantages: Fictional characters added to movie

...mass murder and corruptive dictatorship. The Last King of Scotland is one of the best movies of 2007. Based on a true story during the Ugandan crisis in the 70's, the extremely mesmerising Dictator Idi Amin, managed to take power and become president of the Ugandan state. Dr Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy), plays the role of a Scottish medical graduate, who travels to Uganda after his studies, in order to help out with the crisis. The president ... Read review

Advantages: informative
Disadvantages: violent scenes

this is one of the films that you can not see and forget, whitaker has done such an outstanding performace as Idi Amine that make your hair stands if you sees him for real. It is an insight into the phscicology and invironment that creats such bloodthirsty beasts a case which could apply to big proportion of third world countries rulers, it is a film about the missuse of power about a world where there is no place for peace love or human emotions, ... Read review

Advantages: Truly gripping
Disadvantages: Based on a fictional character

...and popular politician who at the blink of an eye becomes a psychotic and bloodthirsty murderer who will defy anyone who tries to stand in his way. James McAvoy is equally as impressive as Amins personal doctor whose character is fictional yet very believable. This movie was released when a lot about life in Africa came out (Hotel Rwanda, The Constant Gardener) and is by far the best and most gripping with two superb performances from its leading ... Read review

Advantages: Forest whittakers performance
Disadvantages: James Mcavoy, but in all honesty he wasnt that bad

...suprising; and totally not expectign the outcome. I loved it. The oscar winnign performance by Forest Whittaker was truley remarkable, deserving every accolade it recieved. Kerry washington also delivered an outstanding performance, although small her pressence was not forgeotting and left a considerbale impact. With me not being the greatest fan of James Mcavoy ( totally overrated) i dismissed the film on that basis alone; having watched it i have ... Read review