[yasr_overall_rating]
Prince Seretse Khama of Botswana causes an international stir when he marries a white woman from London in the late 1940s.
“A United Kingdom” is not your typical fairy tale about a peasant falling in love with a prince. This story is not only about love but about healing the racial divide among several nations. Actor David Oyelowo rounds out a stellar year in his career with his stunning performance as a king who is forced to choose between his wife and his people. Earlier this year, David played in the dynamic film, “Queen of Katwe,” proving he will use his art to heal the world. His costar is Rosamund Pike, former Bond girl, and “Gone Girl.” The chemistry these two bring to their roles is tangible and heartfelt, a beautiful tribute to the true story this film is based on.
Prince Seretse meets Ruth at a dance for missionaries in England, 1947. Ruth, with her sister Muriel, attend the dance for the purpose of sharing faith and food with missionaries when Ruth overhears Seretse speaking to a friend. They share a look, and at that moment, their hearts separated and linked. They dance, start dating, and find themselves deeply in love. England was not accepting of this courtship, sailors on the streets ridiculed the couple; even Ruth’s father judged his daughter’s decision, a white girl, dating a black man, destined to rule in a small country in Africa.
With his training finished, Seretse must return to his home in Bechuanaland (modern Botswana) to take the throne from his Uncle who has been King Regent since Seretse’s parents passing when he was a child. King Khama does not plan to return home alone, he proposes, and Ruth accepts. Before the couple step foot out of England, they are met head on with a deep resentment by several nations. Bechuanaland is loyal to the English crown who helped during times of war and England still has a strong foothold in the impoverished African country. Everyone tells Ruth and Seretse they must not marry, including his uncle, Tshekedi Khama, and Ruth’s parents.
Determined to share their lives, the couple marries, despite the opposition and soon find themselves in Bechuanaland facing Seretse’s people. While not as hostile as England, the locals are fiercely loyal to their king but not to their new white queen. Before the couple can unpack, the British government steps in to attempt to destroy the couple along with Tshekedi. When his people choose Seretse and his white wife over Tshekedi, he leaves to start his own settlement. The split sends the English officials into an uproar as they spread rumors of dissent and war. In a decision meant to control, the English ban Seretse from his homeland and take away his kingdom. Forcing him to leave his pregnant wife in Africa, he is banished for five years in Jamaica, as punishment for taking a bride of a different color under the thumb of two deeply racist countries.
When illegal mining for precious commodities enters the picture, the actual reason for the English government forcing dissent comes to light. Winston Churchill was voted in, along with a promise to release Seretse from his banishment if he was elected. Upon his election, though, he goes back on his word, worried about the commodities that will be out of English hands if the distress in Bechuanaland is healed and independence is gained. He banishes Seretse for life to line the pockets of his own country.
Meanwhile, Ruth tries to win over her people while heavily pregnant. Separated from her husband, she finds the locals are beginning to trust her, while the English wives seek the same goal as their husbands, dissent. Along with her sister-in-law, Ruth learns to navigate her new life and fight to keep herself strong in spite of opposition on all sides. Her husband formulates a plan to reinvent his country and find his way back to Ruth’s side.
The brutal honesty of this film is the key to success. The picture is painted clearly with signs marking establishments as ‘White’s Only,’ even in Africa. Few are aware of Britain’s hold on the African country and their determination to segregate and control. The people of modern Botswana proved to be a stronger people, despite their poor lifestyles. These are people to be cherished. Loyal to their king and accepting of love even if from the enemy: a British white woman who has stolen the heart of their king. “A United Kingdom” is not just about the love between a man and a woman but also a man and his people. Even in their darkest hour Ruth and Seretse never lose sight of their love for each other.
Now available on Blu-ray & DVD
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