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Chance to win movie bundles for A UNITED KINGDOM (OUT NOW!), the true story of an interracial marriage that inspired the world - read our reviews! NOW CLOSED

65 replies

AnnMumsnet · 18/11/2016 11:17

Ahead of the UK release of the acclaimed new film A UNITED KINGDOM on 25 November, around 30 lucky MNers were able to see a preview of the film.

Read on for their reviews.

If you didn't attend, there's a chance to win one of three movie bundle packs (containing a signed poster, a Bluray bundle - with Suffragette, Selma and Mandela as well as a copy of the book that the film is based upon), by sharing on this thread the most romantic thing you and your partner have ever done, the most extreme measure you or a partner have ever undertaken to be together or a story that inspires you where love has conquered all.


‘SENSATIONAL, UPLIFTING…THE MOST ROMANTIC FILM OF THE YEAR’ (Metro)
‘UMMISSABLE…A LOVE STORY FOR THE AGES’ (Daily Mail)
[5 star] (The Times)

From director Amma Asante (Belle), starring David Oyelowo (Selma) and Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) and set against the breath-taking backdrops of the African savannah and period London, A UNITED KINGDOM celebrates the inspiring real-life romance of Seretse Khama, King of Bechuanaland (modern Botswana), and Ruth Williams, the London office worker he married in 1948 in the face of fierce opposition from their families and the British and South African governments. One of the greatest love stories ever told. Other cast includes Tom Felton (Harry Potter) and Laura Carmichael (Downton Abbey).

Watch the trailer below



The film is on general release in Cinemas from 25 November- find out more and book your seats here: www.aunitedkingdomfilm.com/ #AUnitedKingdom.

Attendees: all attendees who give feedback on the film will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will win a voucher, so for your chance to win a £100 John Lewis voucher, please give your film review below:

~ What are your general feelings about the film? What's your headline review? Please give your Star rating from 1 to 5 stars where 5 Star Star Star Star Star is brilliant and 1 Star is poor (plus do add your rating in the box below left Wink)

~ Who you attended the screening with (friend/ mother/ husband etc)? What did they think of the film?

~ And in terms of the story and themes in the film - what does this mean to you? To what extent do you think that attitudes towards interracial relationships and mixed race children have changed since the backlash that Ruth and Seretse faced in the 1940s?

Thanks and good luck with the prize draws.

Standard Insight T&Cs apply
Chance to win movie bundles for A UNITED KINGDOM (OUT NOW!), the true story of an interracial marriage that inspired the world - read our reviews! NOW CLOSED
Chance to win movie bundles for A UNITED KINGDOM (OUT NOW!), the true story of an interracial marriage that inspired the world - read our reviews! NOW CLOSED
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shoebedo434 · 28/11/2016 19:59

my husband arranged for us to renew our wedding vows after 10 years of marriage in Chicago. he arranged a vicar, flowers and for our American friends to be there. we renewed our vows in Millennium Park and then went to an Irish pub for lunch before watching the memorial day parade. It was a great day

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WowOoo · 28/11/2016 21:25

The most romantic thing my husband to be ever did was to get me a special mention on my birthday at a gig of a band we both loved. It was so cool.

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Andbabymakesthree · 28/11/2016 21:27

Non attendee. It's little things like bringing a cheese scone home from work canteen or texting me to look in top cupboard for a hidden treat when he's not home. We dedicate so much time to the children it's stuff like that which makes me smile.

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barricade · 28/11/2016 22:45

Non-attendee

What is it about chocolates, roses and wrapped gifts (complete with bow and ribbon) that always brings a smile?

As for the most romantic thing that has happened? Does a candle-lit dinner up in the mountains qualify (in full tux, tie and evening dress)?

Smile

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lottietiger · 29/11/2016 09:43

Nothing for a while but on my 30th birthday DP took me on a surprise weekend away to Madrid. He rang up my work and arranged a few days off with my boss and didn't tell me where we were going til we got to the airport. He did however tell he we were going so I could pack :) . It was very romantic. Been a bit of a drought since then though!

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serendipity1980 · 29/11/2016 13:15

Non attendee- Most romantic thing my husband has done for me is surprise me on our 5th wedding anniversary with a weekend stay at the hotel where we were married! I remember it being rather exhausted with our 4 year old and nearly 2 year old but it was very memorable and lovely to be back.

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merliquin · 29/11/2016 22:02

StarStarStarStarStar 5 stars - an uplifting romance


~ I attended the screening with my partner - we were both really touched by the film.

~ It was so interesting to see a version of London from history where black & white people socialised and interacted with one another - this was a London that I've never seen represented in film/on TV before. My partner and I are both mixed race however this was more unusual when we were growing up than it is today. The film made us consider the struggles that our parents would have gone through and made us wonder about the families which were broken because the stigma of a mixed relationship was more than the individuals could cope with. Where we live, mixed families are not unusual but I expect that in other parts of the country, this would still be an issue for some close-minded people.

It was refreshing for the black character to be intelligent, well-educated and of a higher social status than the white character and to see the resistance from both families - the black character was not a downtrodden victim and nor were his family members. Although there was resistance on both sides, there was also support from both sides. I think this really reinforced the message that people are people; some good-hearted, some not so much, but race has no bearing on it either way.

I also found it interesting that the racist incidents (boxing match, in the London street with Ruth) were much milder than much of what we see on the news today. Often, film aims to shock but here, it made me reflect on how far we have come but also how far we still have to go.

I thought the way we saw both Seretse and Ruth flourish alone in an alien environment was very effective - they were strong together but also apart. There were some beautiful moments in this film that brought tears to my eyes because of the strength and love of the two main characters.

Above all, this felt like a romance - not a film 'about' racism - it is a film about love, sacrifice, family but set against a fascinating backdrop of racial disharmony, political game-playing (& the birth of apartheid in S.A.)

This is such an amazing true story - I know a few people who will be getting 'The Colour Bar' for Christmas!

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nowahousewife · 30/11/2016 16:58

Firstly thanks mumsnet for the opportunity to see this film. Took my slightly sceptical husband who absolutely loved it. Gave us lots to talk about afterwards from the political scheming, Churchills betrayal and the strength of both Ruth and Seretse.

Whilst the casual racism was not unexected or shocking, the willingness of governments to interfere in and attempt to dictate to people's lives left us amazed.

It was also beautifully shot with stunning contrasts between post war London and the African plains.

Excellent film - 5 stars from me!

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123julie321 · 30/11/2016 23:08

The most romantic thing my (now) husband has ever done was to organise an impromptu trip to Paris, including a list of activities and restaurants, when he found out that I had never been before and that I longed to visit. It was the most amazing 3 days of my entire life- I will never forget how deeply and rapidly I fell for him.

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issynoko · 02/12/2016 17:21

R&R were a gay couple, my mum's best friends. I couldn't believe their relationship was illegal when it began - they are my role models for what a loving life-time can be. Both died in their 80s, within months of each other after 53 years absolute devotion. They were discreet, as men of their generation were used to being until the law changed. They just died before civil partnerships and then same sex marriage became a reality so never saw society celebrate their love. I realise as times change that the prejudice they encountered is still there and the progress we've made can reverse in the tick of box in their memory. They were the best of men, with the best of marriages. I miss them every day and would fight for all loving hearts to be celebrated, never condemned for their choice.

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Catam · 03/12/2016 17:08

Looking forward to watching it thanks for all the reviews.

Have to say A UNITED KINGDOM (OUT NOW!) thread title initially made me think it was a film about Brexit 😂

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Nicola27 · 04/12/2016 20:45

Non attendee

My husband and I have been together for 24 years. We've had a few romantic times together but the one that stands out for me was before we got married. It was New Years Eve and we had booked a table at a lovely restaurant. Unfortunately though the evening brought horrendous storms with it, so bad that trees were coming down. We set out in the car but couldn't get to the restaurant as there was a tree blocking our only road to the restaurant. We had to go back to our flat instead. I was really upset. My boyfriend said to go and have a nice hot bath and whilst I was in the bathroom he made us a tray full of nibbles like cheese, crackers, pickles, ham etc and a couple of glasses of wine. That night we sat in front of our roaring log fire, had great food and drink and watched a romantic film, it was the best NYE's party ever.

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Goldenhandshake · 09/12/2016 10:56

~ What are your general feelings about the film? What's your headline review? Please give your star rating from 1 to 5 stars where 5 star star star star star is brilliant and 1 star is poor (plus do add your rating in the box below left wink)

5 Stars, Rosamund Pike was phenomenal, she really drew you in. The imagery in the film was breathtaking, fantastic camera work.

~ Who you attended the screening with (friend/ mother/ husband etc)? What did they think of the film?
Just me :)

~ And in terms of the story and themes in the film - what does this mean to you? To what extent do you think that attitudes towards interracial relationships and mixed race children have changed since the backlash that Ruth and Seretse faced in the 1940s?

I found the film very emotional, it shocks you to think how backwards attitudes were such a relatively short time ago. I think we have come along way, but are now in a '1 step forward, 2 steps back' scenario with the increase of far right sentiments.

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Hopezibah · 09/12/2016 21:56

non-tester. Most romantic thing is when i first met my (now) husband he would cook sweet and sour chicken for me and i was so impressed that he could cook. Took me ages to realise he was actually using uncle ben's sweet and sour sauce. he hadn't tried to hide that fact, he genuinely thought it was proper cooking from scratch even though it was out of a jar. Still very sweet and romantic to be cooked for - wish it would happen more these days!

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AnnMumsnet · 14/12/2016 13:26

Thanks for all the reviews - winner of the £100 voucher is Olinguito.

Non attendee movie bundle winners are foxessocks, serendipity1980 and AngelwingsPetlamb

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