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The President's Last Bang

Play trailer Poster for The President's Last Bang 2005 1h 42m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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82% Tomatometer 34 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
In the late 1970s, South Korean president Park Chung-hee (Song Jae-ho) leads a life of leisure and excess. Heavily insulated from his citizens and enjoying lavish surroundings, Chung feasts on the finest foods and constantly finds himself in the company of women. When Kim Jae-kyu (Han Suk-kyu), the disillusioned head of the South Korean secret service, finds out that he is suffering from a terminal disease, he resolves to assassinate Chung-hee for the good of his country.
The President's Last Bang

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Although it's possibly best enjoyed by viewers with some knowledge of South Korean history, The President's Last Bang entertainingly blends true crime and dark comedy.

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Critics Reviews

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Janice Page Boston Globe 03/03/2006
3/4
what the film lacks in depth it makes up for in Hong Kong-style punch, with vivid cinematography and powerfully choreographed action. Go to Full Review Ted Fry Seattle Times 12/09/2005
3/4
The President's Last Bang comes off as all too ridiculously believable. Go to Full Review Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times 11/30/2005
4/5
Although a tad long-winded and plodding, it's vigorously acted and persuasive, leaving the viewer to suspect that Im's account, drawn from historical records, could be pretty close to the truth. Go to Full Review William Schwartz HanCinema 07/10/2020
Scenes of grotesque violence are handled oddly lackadaisically, with the occasional low-ranking character meekly suggesting that maybe this isn't such a good idea before reluctantly agreeing to follow orders anyway. Go to Full Review Paul Dale The List 04/26/2019
4/5
It's a daring glance into the past... Uniquely cherish-able. Go to Full Review Jason Gorber Film Scouts 06/21/2007
B
The film certainly doesn't spend too much superfluous time introducing the players, so it's at times confusing keeping track of just who is doing what to whom. Nonetheless, I found that it unfolded with enough style and humour to keep it interesting. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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07/01/2016 Gripping, fast-moving, satirical look at a pivotal moment in South Korean history. See more 04/24/2016 Caustic to a fault, The President's Last Bang just might be the most damning political satire to ever come out of South Korea. See more 05/30/2014 People must have really hated the president at the time to make a movie like this. I've read this is supposed to be a sort of comedy, but the subject matter didn't exactly induct me to laughter. I think to fully judge this movie I would need to have more of a cultural knowledge of South Korea (beyond just knowing he was a military dictator that was unpopular). On a purely cinematic level, it's not a very good movie. See more 01/22/2014 interesting political satire about the assassination of president park chun-hee See more 06/12/2013 I was not familiar with the plot to knock off the Korean dictator Park Chung Hee. I'm not sure if that helped or hurt my viewing of this film but it kept me hooked. I was completely fascinated by the turns of events and the conclusion was fresh. See more 10/22/2011 entertaining. though i must say i had expected to like it more cos of the rave reviews and hoo-ha over this flick. See more Read all reviews
The President's Last Bang

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Im Sang-soo

Director

Han Suk-kyu

KCIA Chief Agent Ju

Baek Yun-shik

KCIA Director Kim

Song Jae-ho

President Park Chun-hee

Kim Eung-soo

KCIA Agent Colonel Min

Gweon Byeong-gil

President's Chief Secretary Yang

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The President's Last Bang

The President's Last Bang (2005) The President's Last Bang (2005) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In the late 1970s, South Korean president Park Chung-hee (Song Jae-ho) leads a life of leisure and excess. Heavily insulated from his citizens and enjoying lavish surroundings, Chung feasts on the finest foods and constantly finds himself in the company of women. When Kim Jae-kyu (Han Suk-kyu), the disillusioned head of the South Korean secret service, finds out that he is suffering from a terminal disease, he resolves to assassinate Chung-hee for the good of his country.
Director
Im Sang-soo
Production Co
MK Pictures
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
Korean
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 12, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$5.9K
Runtime
1h 42m
Sound Mix
Surround