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ON THE SCREEN: ‘A UNITED KINGDOM’ AN INSPIRING TALE OF LOVE CONQUERING ALL

A United Kingdom image

DAVID ADAMS watches A United Kingdom

A United Kingdom (PG)

In a Word: Hopeful

A United Kingdom image

ALL FOR LOVE: Rosamund Pike plays Ruth Williams and David Oyelowo plays Seretse Khama in A United Kingdom.

“Both Oyelowo (recent star of Queen of Katwe) and Pike meet the mark in their portrayals of Khama and Williams – he the charismatic dreamer of a better future for his nation and she the determined Englishwoman who just won’t give up  – and they’re well supported by the rest of the cast.”

Ruth Williams was one brave woman. Yes, A United Kingdom tells the story of Seretse Khama, heir to Bechuanaland (and ultimately the first president of Botswana), but it’s the bravery of his English wife that really shines through here.

Somewhat naively entering into a relationship with Seretse (here played by David Oyelowo) whom she  meets while he is studying in London in the years after World War II,  Ruth (Rosamund Pike) soon found herself giving up everything she had known.

Effectively cast out by her family after she announced her intention to marry Khama following a whirlwind romance, she then had to bear the brunt of the disapproval they faced in his homeland and, away from the mod-cons of 1950s London, embrace a completely new life with the man she loved (yes, there’s some great analogies here for preachers here in terms of the cost of following Christ).

While there are differences between Guy Hibberts’ screenplay and actual events, the basics remain the same. This was a dark day in Britain’s history – and of colonialism full stop – as it bullied a tiny nation and buckled to newly apartheid South Africa opposition to their union. But it was also a day of hope for Africa and this well-crafted film, director, by Amma Assante (of Belle fame), manages to capture both sides well.

Both Oyelowo (recent star of Queen of Katwe) and Pike meet the mark in their portrayals of Khama and Williams – he the charismatic dreamer of a better future for his nation and she the determined Englishwoman who just won’t give up  – and they’re well supported by the rest of the cast.

David Canning and Tom Felton represent the ugly face of colonialism as the smarmy British bureaucrats , Sir Alastair Canning and Rufus Lancaster, who are charged with implementing British foreign policy in Bechuanaland. Downton Abbey’s Laura Carmichael also makes an appearance as Ruth’s sister Muriel and Nicholas Lyndhurst her father George.

Well cast, well written and well shot – a film worth taking the time to see this holiday season (and a shot in the arm to those fighting for a cause against the odds!)

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