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A UNITED KINGDOM (12A)

SERETSE KHAMA (David Oyelowo), heir apparent to the nation of Bechuanaland (now Botswana), is studying law in 1947 London before returning home to lead his people.

He has been prepared for this role by his proud uncle Tshekedi (Vusi Kunene) and a council which kowtows to the British. At a dance organised by the London Missionary Society, Seretse falls in love with typist Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike), whose bigoted father George (Nicholas Lyndhurst) would never condone the flourishing romance. Paternal rage pales next to the indignation of Alistair Canning (Jack Davenport), the British government’s representative in southern Africa. “If you choose to marry the leader of an African nation, you will be responsible for the downfall of the British empire,” he coldly informs Ruth.

Unperturbed, the couple marry and Ruth accompanies Seretse to Bechuanaland, where she faces hostility from uncle Tshekedi, aunt Ella (Abena Ayivor) and Seretse’s sister Naledi (Terry Pheto).

Meanwhile, the British – represented by snivelling district commissioner Rufus Lancaster (Tom Felton) – and the South African government use underhand tactics to separate the lovebirds. A United Kingdom is a stirring ode to love, distinguished by molten on-screen chemistry between Oyelowo and Pike. A fine romance: A United Kingdom

FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM (12A)

ZEALOTS called the Second Salemers, led by Mary Lou Barebone (Samantha Morton) and her adopted son Credence (Ezra Miller), preach hell and damnation in 1926 New York, following a reign of terror perpetrated by dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald. Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) arrives in the Big Apple at the height of this paranoia, carrying an enchanted suitcase of endangered critters. Wannabe baker Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler) accidentally picks up Newt’s luggage and releases otherworldly species in breach of the Statute of Secrecy. Beasties go on the rampage and Newt attempts to recapture them aided by Jacob, a former Auror called Porpentina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston) and her mind-reading sister, Queenie (Alison Sudol).

Percival Graves (Colin Farrell), Director of Magical Security, is convinced Newt’s illegal creatures are responsible for a brutal attack.

As origin stories go, Fantastic Beasts... is a crowd-pleasing doozy.

Reviews by Damon Smith Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander