As a young boy, I heard numerous tales on the atrocities of Amin. I was thus extremely keen on watching this movie. I was not disappointed. This is easily one of the most memorable movies I’ve seen. The Oscar winning performance from Forest Whitekar is nothing short of mesmerizing. ‘The Last King of Scotland’ is a Historical drama based on the book of the same name by Giles Foden.

Cast: Forrest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Keri Washington, Gillian Anderson

Director: Kevin MacDonald

The story revolves around the life of a young Scottish doctor(played by a young James McAvoy), who goes to Uganda chasing his dream of serving the needy. At that time, a military officer Idi Amin, has usurped control of the country with a coup d’etar. Nicolas arrives in Uganda and is working in a clinic with Dr. David Merrit and his wife Sarah. Nicolas meets Idi Amin, when the latter is involved in an accident. The charismatic leader of Uganda invites Nicolas to become his personal physician. Nicolas too is initially impressed with Amin and accepts the position

As the plot unfolds, the doctor realizes that there is a whole lot more to Amin than meets the eye. Amin and his notorious ways are slowly made known, both to the audience and to the doctor. Amin is a polygamist and a ruthless pedagogue who murders anyone he sees as a threat to himself. Nicolas is now disillusioned and realizes that he is a silent passenger to Amin’s atrocities. He further puts himself in danger by having an affair with one of Amin’s wives.As the movie approaches the climax, Nicolas is in mortal danger, must now flee Uganda. Fate presents Nicolas with an opportunity when a group of Libyan terrorists land and Air France carrier is in Entebbe, Uganda’s capital.

While the Nicolas’s character is fictional, many of the events in the movie are based on fact. Idi Amin’s atrocities include deporting Indians who were  living in Uganda for years. Amin butchered and killed anyone whom he considered a threat to himself. He aided Libyan terrorists in hijacking an Air France flight. This movie is mesmerizing in picturization and cinematography. This is an important movie that gives a glimpse of Uganda under the rein of Amin. Whitaker’s characterization as Amin gives us an idea of his evil, merciless persona. This movie is a must see.

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