Kingslaay A United Kingdom appears more like a documentary than a film. For a story that was capable of having so much depth it was really a series of events thrown together to resemble a film. It never really flies. We do not see a great love story nor do we see a great story. A history channel short documentary could have covered these events better. The cast despite being good fails to carry this film. Historical films need to be made with a certain flair and style to captivate the viewer. Examples of where this has fallen short have been Lincoln or Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom where the director just showed us events with effects rather than telling us a story or taking us on a journey. 6/10

barbimillg I never knew about this story, and enjoyed this movie immensely. Anyone that gives this a bad review did not watch the same movie that I did. It's a heartwarming story of love, devotion and racism in a turbulent time in the world. We owe much to the historical people of the past.

bob-the-movie-man Directed by Amma Asante ("Belle") this is the true tale of a real-life fairy story, featuring a handsome prince and his love, who can never be his princess thanks to the Machiavellian scheming of court-do-gooders and bureaucrats. The prince in this case is Seretse Kham (David Oyelowo, "Selma") , heir to the throne of Bechuanaland (now Botswana), who meets and falls in love with a lowly white Lloyd's of London clerk Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike, "Gone Girl", "The World's End"). The plot has many parallels with that of another film from earlier this year:  "Loving" with Ruth Negga and Joel Egerton. As an inter-racial couple in 1947 this is taboo enough, but the fact that Kham is soon to be king in a country bordering the apartheid tinder-keg that is South Africa blows the affair up to be a diplomatic crisis.Defying the officials he marries his true love, driving a wedge between both his own uncle (Vusi Kunene ) and sister (Terry Pheto) and making Ruth an outcast in both countries. As things turn from bad to worse, can true love conquer all their adversities?Just everything about this film delights. Oyelowo and Pike - always a safe pair of hands - add real emotional depth to their roles. Their relationship feels natural and loving without either of them trying too hard. The estrangement of Ruth from her parents (particularly her father played by Nicholas Lyndhurst) is truly touching. Another star turn is Harry Potter alumni Tom Felton, playing Rufus Lancaster - a weaselly and very unpleasant local official. I have a prediction.... that in 30 year's time, the young Potter actor that will be the 'Ian McKellen of his day' (that is, a world recognized great actor... not necessarily gay!) will be Felton.  Sam McCurdy ("The Descent") delivers cinematography of Africa that is vibrant (to be fair, for anyone lucky enough to visit Africa will know, cameras just love the place) and the John Barry-esque music by Patrick Doyle ("Murder on the Orient Express") is pitch perfect for the mood.A beautifully crafted film that older viewers will just love. (For the graphical review, please visit http://bob-the-movie-man.com or One Mann's Moview on Facebook. Thanks).

krocheav I knew so little about this slice of history and understand this could have much to do with the British government not being overly keen on talking too much about it. Although, as events turned out, it was support from the British public that had much to do with a better than average outcome. Based on factual events and beautifully photographed this movie has been somewhat neglected - as might be expected - for its lack of any explosions and action scenes. Those looking for an intelligent historical love story that involves King Seretes of Botswana and the white English woman he falls in love with, won't be let down by this uncommonly polished approach to storytelling.The early British scenes that make up the first half seemed a bit episodic but, this could have been in order to set up the characters for the serious testing that society and political institutions were about to meter out - across both hemispheres - on the principal couple. Some of the British officials also tend to be treated in an overly stiff-upper-lip- fashion but then, especially at this time (1940s-1950s), there existed a greater class divide so, much of this could be quite accurate. Most performances are first class (David Oyelowo especially) and Patrick Doyle's lush music score is an asset. Some may find elements of the screenplay a bit staid but it remains a treat for discerning audiences.