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  • 2008
  • First Run Features
  • 1 h 23 m
  • 2008
  • First Run Features
  • 1 h 23 m

Summary Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the Hot Docs International Documentary Festival, this acclaimed film tells an astonishing story of Africa’s last absolute monarchy, the Kingdom of Swaziland. King Mswati III, a distant figure out of touch with his home and country, rules by decree and lives a life of luxury together with his 12 wives, ...

  • 2008
  • First Run Features
  • 1 h 23 m
  • 2008
  • First Run Features
  • 1 h 23 m

Without the King

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 7 Critic Reviews
55
User Score Available after 4 ratings
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Summary Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the Hot Docs International Documentary Festival, this acclaimed film tells an astonishing story of Africa’s last absolute monarchy, the Kingdom of Swaziland. King Mswati III, a distant figure out of touch with his home and country, rules by decree and lives a life of luxury together with his 12 wives, ...

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 7 Critic Reviews
55
43% Positive
3 Reviews
57% Mixed
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 7 Critic Reviews
55
43% Positive
3 Reviews
57% Mixed
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
70
The film, fluidly shot by James Adolphus, remains deeply sensitive to the complexities of a culture whose attachment to monarchy contravenes its best interests. This dilemma is gradually becoming clear to Princess Sikhanyiso, the oldest of the king's 22 children and a student in California. Intelligent, articulate, caring and strong-willed, she could be her country's best hope.
By Jeannette Catsoulis FULL REVIEW
63
Intelligent but incomplete-feeling documentary.
By Ken Fox FULL REVIEW
63
By far the film's most interesting subject is the king's eldest daughter, 18-year-old Princess Sikhanyiso, who likes to be known as Pashu. She's a self-styled rapper who goes to a Catholic college in California and acts like the spoiled rich kid that she is.
By V.A. Musetto FULL REVIEW
60
A cut above the average Quad-bound video agit-prop doc, Michael Skolnik's Without the King succeeds mostly through negative virtues.
FULL REVIEW
50
A curious mixture of banality and revelation.
By Ernest Hardy FULL REVIEW
50
With Swaziland providing this mother lode of material, helmer Michael Skolnik extracts only the most pedestrian of films.
By Ronnie Scheib FULL REVIEW
40
It is a shame the film doesn't cast a wider net into deeper political waters – the outrage is barely scratched in this production.
By Phil Hall FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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Details

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Production Company Red Envelope Entertainment, Soze Productions
Release Date Apr 25, 2008
Duration 1 h 23 m
Genres
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Awards

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination

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