gradyharp A film that recalls the days of British colonization at its peak director Amma Asante brings a welcome light to the book by Susan Williams (Colour Bar) as adapted by Guy Hibbert. The cast is superb, the scenery and mood are well captured by cinematographer Sam McCurdy, and the musical score by Patrick Doyle takes us back to the 40s is a most appropriate and additive manner.The year is 1947 and Prince Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo) of Bechuanaland (now known as Botswana), in England studying law preparing for his ascendency to the throne as king, meets Ruth Williams Rosamond Pike), a clerk and in a fine romance they fall in love and plan to marry. While they suspect that his uncle (Vusi Kunene), 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. Despite seemingly insurmountable 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. Ruth's parents (Nicholas Lyndhurst and Anastasia Hille) swear to disown Ruth while her sister (Laura Carmichael) supports the their love and plans. The evil British government officials (Jack Davenport, Jack Lowden, Anton Lesser, et al) ultimately fail in their intent to control Seretse and Ruth in a manner that few of us realized was such a difficult struggle for independence.This is a film that should be a 'must see' for all, especially now during the harsh racial struggles her and around the globe. Very highly recommended

rogerdarlington This film is based on a fascinating story - both political and romantic - of which I was previously totally unaware. Tne kingdom in question is not Britain today but Bechuanaland (modern day Botswana) in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The unlikely romance was between the black lawyer who is a prince, Seretse Khama played so well by David Oyelowo, and the white, working-class Londoner, Ruth Williams ably portrayed by Rosamund Pike. Against all the odds, they defy opposition to their marriage from both the British colonial authorities and elements of Khama's tribe led by his uncle who has been regent for so long.The British establishment - both politicians (including Clement Atlee and Winston Churchill) and civil servants - come out of this narrative as much more concerned with collaborating with apartheid South Africa than with respecting the wishes and interests of the people of the Protectorate of Bechuanaland. But the end titles assure us that the marriage survived and the nation thrived, so this is an uplifting message of endurance and justice.Much of the film is shot in glorious terrain in Bechuananland and the house occupied by Khama and his bride is the actual property where they lived. For some at least of the creators of this enjoyable work, the project was personal: the director Amma Asante (previously best-known for "Belle") is both female and black (how often can you say that of a director?) and David Oyelowo is himself married to a white woman (who actually has a small acting role in the film).

lavatch The year in 1947. With the end of World War II, the British Empire is now facing extinction. Times are changing with new states in the world emerging in a renewed spirit of nationalism. The subject of this story is the emergence of the Republic of Botswana out of the former monarchy of Bechuanaland which was a longstanding protectorate of the British Empire.The microcosm of this film is the remarkable love story of Prince Seretse Khama, who is studying law in England and about to succeed to the throne of his native Bechuanaland. But something happens along the way: he falls in love with a white British office girl named Ruth Williams. Against every social norm in both nations, the couple forge ahead with their relationship by getting married! Reviled in the press as "The African Queen," Ruth stoically stands by Seretse. Slowly, the people of Bechuanaland recognize her courage and decency and come to accept her, welcoming her with the chant of "Pula" (rain). In the meantime, the astute politician Seretse stays one step ahead of the British government to lobby on behalf of his nation.In the repellent paternalistic politics of the fading British empire, the one figure who comes up as duplicitous and hypocritical is Winston Churchill. After promising to allow Seretse to reclaim the crown during his postwar run for the Prime Minister, Churchill reneges on his promise once elected. It is at this time that Seretse learns of the discovery of diamonds in his nation and uses the press to advance his nationalistic goals against the recidivist British authorities. This nefarious activity is documented in the Harrington Report that indicates the British collaboration with South Africa to repress nationalist spirit in Bechuanaland.The film portrays this story with great dignity, especially with actors David Oyelowo as Seretse and Rosamund Pike as Ruth. The photography is stellar in the African scenes, and the screenplay is crisp and well-paced. One of the films motifs is Seretse's phrase, "No man is free who is not master of himself." The film brilliantly extrapolates from that personal dictum to the larger thematic concern of the emergence of the new nation of Botswana that eventually occurred in 1966. The first duly elected president was Seretse Khama himself, who oversaw the emergence of his new nation and was later called by Nelson Mandela "a shining beacon of light and inspiration" for the world.Early in the film, the snobbish, racist British minister sarcastically asks Seretse, "May I offer you a sherry?" By the close of the film, Sertese returns the compliment to another British official when it is clear that the sun is about to set on the British empire.

Shadman Sadik Based On True Events, it portrays a historically accurate situation. Life is full of surprises, you never know when what will happen. A United Kingdom is the story of Seretse Khama (king of Bechuanaland) and Ruth Williams Khama and their unconditional love and its aftermath. The movie beautifully represents the racial conflict, colonial power, and its bad effect. You can never part a man from his homeland and also rule a land for a long time which is not yours. David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike gave us a pleasurable moment and an intriguing visual work.