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A United Kingdom - the story of Seretse and Ruth Khama

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Grannyknot Fri 02-Dec-16 10:19:29

My daughter took me to see this film last night, highly recommended. What was so interesting to me, having lived the experience of Seretse Khama, the tribal King-in-waiting and his white, English wife Ruth from the Southern African perspective (I was living in SA then) was to learn about it from the UK side of things. The UK governments of the time (Labour and Conservative) and their political interference in what now seems an incredibly dated concept (Bechuanaland as it was then was a "protectorate", now the Republic of Botswana) is staggering and how they were in cahoots with the South African nationalist government to manipulate matters in the region, is fascinating.

Also interesting to see some of the later key British politicians, like Tony Benn, portrayed as young men.

The central characters come out tops, especially Ruth Khama, well portrayed by Rosamunde Pike. I like David Oyelowo too.

www.theguardian.com/film/2016/nov/27/a-united-kingdom-review-love-story-amma-asante-david-oyelowo-rosamund-pike

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JessM Sat 03-Dec-16 22:47:39

I agree - we saw it earlier. A love story, of course, but also a gripping political drama. Unusual in that the two lead characters were both given equal importance. Young people should see it and learn about the British Empire in Africa. Older people should see it to remind themselves how much things have changed for the better. Well cast, well acted and lots of attention to detail. I liked the fact that the costumes, makeup, accents etc were all appropriate. Most enjoyable film I have seen in ages.
(Very irritated by Close to the Enemy, on TV now, set in the same post-war era, in which the male lead has permanent stubble and an accent and manner lifted straight from James Bond.)

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Izabella Sun 04-Dec-16 14:03:47

Wonderful film. On the rare occasions I have a glass of sherry, I will always think of this wonderful film and how the tables turned. I also love Botswana and did bare camping there, an experience never to forget. Until then I never realised a male lions roar actually makes your sternum vibrate. I also found out that the saying "the hairs on the back of the neck stand up" to be absolutely 100% true. Oh, and it cured my arachnophobia (no choice!)

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Grannyknot Sun 04-Dec-16 17:07:40

jess my daughter loved it, neither of us were expecting the political angle; and then to find it so interesting.

Imagine preventing him from returning home like they did. Unthinkable.

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Grannyknot Sun 04-Dec-16 17:09:33

izabella an Okavango safari is on our list for when Husboy stops working, and he seems to think we are going to sleep out in a tent shock

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Izabella Sun 04-Dec-16 19:03:44

Grannynot you simply HAVE to do this. An experience of a lifetime. There really is nothing to fear, only the fear of fear itself. PM me if you need any more information.

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Grannyknot Sun 04-Dec-16 21:39:52

izabella I've slept out in caves and rents in my younger days as a hiker. I'm just not so sure about lions roaring close enough to make my sternum vibrate! smile - are you sure it wasn't caused by your heart pounding?

I will PM you about the trip some time, thank you.

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Treebee Mon 05-Dec-16 18:23:03

I saw this film last week and thought it was superb. It portrays both the best and the worst of human nature.

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