In an incredible twist of fate, a Scottish doctor (James McAvoy) on a Ugandan medical mission becomes irreversibly entangled with one of the world's most barbaric figures: Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker). Impressed by Dr. Garrigan's brazen attitude in a moment of crisis, the newly self-appointed Ugandan President Amin hand picks him as his personal physician and closest confidante. Though Garrigan is at first flattered and fascinated by his new position, he soon awakens to Amin's savagery - and his own complicity in it. Horror and betrayal ensue as Garrigan tries to right his wrongs and escape Uganda alive. — More here

The Last King of Scotland is a UK film based on Giles Foden's award-winning debut novel of the same name. It was adapted by screenwriters Peter Morgan and Jeremy Brock, and directed by Kevin Macdonald. It received a limited release in the United States on September 27, 2006, with a UK release set for January 12, 2007 and German release for May 17, 2007.

Forest Whitaker, who was named Best Actor of the year by the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, stars as the Ugandan dictator Idi Amin and Kerry Washington plays Kay, one of Amin's wives. As fictional characters, James McAvoy portrays Dr. Nicholas Garrigan; Gillian Anderson plays the health-aide wife of the doctor (Adam Kotz) with whom Garrigan first works in Uganda; and Simon McBurney, plays a British diplomat.

1. Production information
It was supposed to be a wild adventure in a far-off country, but when a naive young doctor arrives in 1970’s Uganda – hoping for fun, sun and to lend a helping hand --he finds himself instead on a shocking ride into the darkest realm on earth: the human heart.

2. Into a Dictator’s Heart of Darkness: The Story of THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND
How would you respond to the seductive influence of power? Would you bend or forget your own moral code to achieve it? What happens to someone who starts with good intentions and ends up becoming a blood thirsty individual?

3. A Man of Shocking Extremes and Contradictions: Forest Whitaker Portrays Idi Amin
There are few names in history as recognizable as Idi Amin. He has joined Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot and Sadam Hussein, among others, in the ranks of dictators who seemingly knew no human bounds. But Amin was also a unique case – a one-time boxer and soldier who climbed his way up from literally nothing, charmed the nation with his vibrant pride and personality and appeared to many to be a newly independent Uganda’s greatest hope for becoming a truly African nation.

4. A Fun-Loving Young Doctor Trapped in a Nightmare: James McAvoy as the Fictional Nicholas Garrigan
Just as important as the role of Idi Amin to THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND is the wholly opposite part of the fun-loving young doctor who has no idea what he’s getting into when he agrees to become Amin’s personal physician.

5. Two Women in Idi Amin’s Uganda: Gillian Anderson and Kerry Washington Join The Cast
Even before Nicholas Garrigan becomes involved with Idi Amin, he is stirring up the pot – starting a sexual affair with the mission clinic doctor’s beautiful and lonely wife, Sarah

6. Into Kampala: Shooting in Uganda
Most of THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND was shot in and around Kampala, Uganda, in a city that has seen more than its share of troubles in recent years, yet today is one of Africa’s most bustling and unique urban centers --built on seven fertile hills and lined with examples of stunning modern architecture.

7. Probing the Scars of The Past: Ugandans Respond to THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND
Though he left Uganda in 1979 for exile in Saudi Arabia and passed away in 2003, Idi Amin’s legacy continues to reverberate strongly in Uganda. Nearly every citizen of the country was changed in some way by his rule, so at first, Kevin Macdonald worried about rousing emotions and memories better left untouched.

8. The Facts Behind the Fiction: About Idi Amin’s Uganda
THE LAST KING OF A SCOTLAND is a fictional thriller --but behind the suspense lies the very real story of Uganda under the rule of Idi Amin.

Minority roles could get majority of Hollywood awards
Inside Bay Area, CA - 16 hours ago
OSCAR RACE: Forest Whitaker brings to life Idi Amin, the mad dictator who ruled Uganda in the 1970s, in the fictional "The Last King of Scotland." ...

A Chicago Tribune Web log
Chicago Tribune, IL - Dec 19, 2006
With the hundreds of movies released in 2006, everyone thinks Helen Mirren (“The Queen”) and Forest Whitaker (“The Last King of Scotland”) gave the best ...

Fact vs Fiction. Which do you prefer?
Cinematical, CA - Dec 22, 2006
... The article rated films such as Catch a Fire, Pursuit of Happyness and The Last King of Scotland according to their historical relevance and gave a little ...

Hollywood embraces Africa's poor
Hamilton Spectator,  Canada - Dec 20, 2006
... Africans in need. Stars and directors of newer films such as The Last King of Scotland and Blood Diamond are following suit. Parts of ...

79th Annual Academy Awards
goTriad.com, NC - Dec 21, 2006
... His mesmerizing turn as deranged Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in "The Last King of Scotland" must be considered a major contender. ...

Europe, Africa points of film interest in '06
Reuters - Dec 19, 2006
... movies that pack a message, like "Blood Diamond"; movies that look at Africa's recent past, such as "Catch a Fire" and "The Last King of Scotland"; and movies ...

James Mcavoy
Newsweek - Dec 16, 2006
... Fresh off a critically acclaimed turn as Idi Amin's doctor in "The Last King of Scotland," McAvoy is set to star in two big movies next year: the film ...

AP Reviewers Pick Their Top 2006 Films
HappyNews.com, TX - Dec 20, 2006
... Steve Carell, Alan Arkin, Greg Kinnear and Abigail Breslin all shine. 8. ''The Last King of Scotland'' — This is not hyperbole. ...

'The King' & 'The Queen' Reign at Washington Awards
Hollywood.com - Dec 11, 2006
HOLLYWOOD - Forest Whitaker's portrayal of dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland and Helen Mirren's turn as The Queen have earned the two stars top ...

Critics pick their favourite films
Globe and Mail, Canada - Dec 11, 2006
... Each won the top acting prize from the New York critics, Whitaker for his portrayal of Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland and Mirren for The Queen. ...

Spirits soar at sunrise
Hollywood Reporter, CA - Dec 14, 2006
(Morgan also scripted the fact-based "The Last King of Scotland.") "I had a strong sense that something about the royal family would do well if we did it ...

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