A couple years ago I bought a book about a Scottish doctor who is made the personal physician of Idi Amin called The Last King of Scotland, by Giles Foden. Unfortunately, I haven’t actually read it yet.
It turns out that Fox is releasing this story as a movie, and from the trailer it looks pretty good. Take a look at the preview on Apples Quicktime site and see what you think. It was a barbaric time, but one that should be remembered.
Here’s the summary:
In an incredible twist of fate, a Scottish doctor (James McAvoy) on a Ugandan medical mission becomes irreversibly entangled with one of the worldÂ’s most barbaric figures: Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker). Impressed by Dr. GarriganÂ’s brazen attitude in a moment of crisis, the newly self-appointed Ugandan President Amin hand picks him as his physician.
August 8, 2006 at 6:15 am
Forest suits the role to a T!
August 9, 2006 at 2:15 am
I’ve always thought Forest was a very good, very under appreciated actor!
August 10, 2006 at 12:19 am
My parents were placed under house arrest when he executed the coup de tat. Our house was unfortunately next door to Milton Obote’s residence so I think this explained why the house arrest occured. A tank blocked the driveway. I’d flown back to UK 2 weeks prior to Idi taking over.
August 21, 2006 at 12:38 pm
I know this is going to create some new controversy, especially in Uganda… and not necessarily because people hated Idi Amin, but because people will question having a USAmerican playing an African leader. At least, Whitaker is black, so that should help… plus he is reaaally good.