Last Saturday, after spending a nice afternoon with my friend Raquel, who lunched here with us, we went to the cinema to see The King's Speech.
I have no words to express how much I liked this movie.
The Historical accuracy ...
George VI childhood [the references to Prince John epilepsy and George V stamps collection hobby...]
NB:To understand George V and his role in the European History, I suggest the acclaimed British television drama serial, The Lost Prince.
King George V concerns with Europe political situation [Hitler on one way and Staline on the other...]
George VI sense of duty and responsability towards the country and the Empire...
the supporting role of his wife, Queen Elisabeth...
And finally, of course, George VI suffering with his stammering and the Professor Logue's help...
This is a documentary with Logue's grandson, Mark Logue, whose book, The King's Speech: How One Man Saved the British Monarchy, inspired the film's name and history.
the brillant cast...
Such good memories I have from most of them...
Anthony Andrews [Prime Minister Mr. Baldwin] and Claire Bloom [Queen Mary] from Brideshead Revisited...
Colin Firth [King George VI] and Jennifer Ehle [Myrtle Gruenert] from the best of ever, in my opinion, Pride and Prejudice TV serial...
Geoffrey Rush
Remember Mr Javert from Les Miserables?
If Colin Firth was already my favourite Mr Darcy, now is my George VI par excellence!
I'm very happy with the Oscars the film has got yesterday: Actor in Leading Role, Colin Firth, Directing, Tom Hooper, Best Picture and Original Screenplay.
Congratulations!!
12 comments:
I loved the film. Magnificent acting delivered by Colin Firth (that face, growing red, and flustered - it's heart-breaking and totally believable) and Lionel Rush. A charming portrayal of the Queen Mother. Historic accuracy as far as the big facts go (small things I've read here and there, about stereophonic recordings not existing at the time portrayed in film, etc, silly things). As to the story developed into a film, I thought that in itself, the speech impediment of the King would not give enough drama to make a whole film revolve around it. I still have my doubts and I realise that I love the film (just like you did) because I love period films, I love history, I love British history in particular - in that respect, I think it is a bit limited.
I would certainly love to buy the film, and the book, and watch it a thousand times.
I meant, Jeffrey Rush!! Sorry!!! :D
Aledys, when watching Colin Firth I could feel the King's dispair with his stammer.
I specially liked the way they placed his problem in the context of that time. How important was to speak clearly and strongly to and in the name of the country.
And I think H. Carter deserved the Oscar for best supporting actress. She was a lovely and strong Queen Elisabeth.
Yes, I think it is well done, by touching on so many side topics, like you mention, the importance of delivering a speech and the wireless, that was altogether new ... the dilemma of having a king marrying a divorcée AND an American... the oubreak of the war, so many things it touches on.
I think that EBC's part was not important enough in the film (she is there and she does a marvellous queen, don't get me wrong) for an Oscar. I haven't seen the actress who actually won it, so I can't compare.
I loved the scene when the Queen is sitting on the King's stomach, and Logue goes: up goes Her Royal Highness, take a deep breath, and down goes Her Royal Highness :D Charming!
My husband pointed out that Colin's face, that single moment of him going all red, is worth an Oscar. So was a very special scene in his other excellent film, A Single Man, when he gets the phone call to tell him his lover has just died... Superb acting!!
Very funny that scene ahah and interesting too because of the peculiar Queen's sense of humor :-)
I think the film was very well written...
the references of the King's childhood so we can understand better his problem and then, all the situation of the time, all the main figures, inclusive Baldwin...oh, when I saw Anthony Andrews...such a long time ago I haven't seen him...and Claire Bloom...
Do you know, I would like to see a movie about the roles of George VI, Queen Elisabeth, Churchill and Queen Willemina in the II WW. The four, together, you see...
I guess it 's my wish to visit Churchill War Rooms in London. ;-)
As I would like to see a movie about the espionage in Lisbon in those years...
Sandra,
Ainda não fui ver o "Discurso do Rei". Mas quero muito ir ver porque sei que vou gostar da história.
Adorei a série "Brideshead", até hoje a minha favorita.
Gostei muito deste post.
Bjs e boa semana! :)
Ana, Brideshead foi uma serie tao marcante, nao foi? :-) e com um naipe de actores muito bom.
Adorava rever a serie!
Devo dizer que "O Discurso do Rei" superou as minhas expectativas pelo enquadramento historico que foi feito e pela brilhante interpretacao do Colin Firth. Gostei muito.
Depois diga-me o que achou. Fico curiosa pela sua apreciacao. :-)
Boa semana e um beijinho! :-)
Que grande coincidência, Sandra, também fui ver o filme no último Sábado. Tinha óptimas referências acerca dele, da parte de amigos, e estava com muita vontade de o ver. E não fiquei desiludida. Inteiramente merecido! O Óscar também foi muito bem entregue a Colin Firth e eu não teria ficado nada surpreendida se o Geoffrey Rush também levasse um. Mas acho que o Christian Bale também está em grande no "The Fighter", que ainda não vi...
Um beijinho e uma boa semana!
My precious friend, I missed the Oscars, but I was thrilled to hear that The King's Speech won so many awards!! I MUST SEE THIS! How are you precious one????? Anita
@ A serio, Sara? Que coincidencia engracada! :-)
Sabes que me apeteceu aplaudir o filme de pe quando terminou? Muito bom!
O Colin Firth interpretou tao bem o papel, que houve alturas que me comovi. Era George VI que ali estava. A consciencia que ele tinha do que se estava a passar na Europa, da forma como o irmao estava a fragilizar a Monarquia - ate ouvimos que Eduardo VIII era sloppy no tratamento dos documentos-, a reluctancia em ser Rei por causa do problema que tinha e da sua conhecida timidez, mas ao mesmo tempo, a aceitacao, com uma grande consciencia de dever para com o Pais numa conjuntura tao delicada, o desespero que ele sentia, e o desespero de George V tambem, Estava tudo la.. ate porque razao ele nao devia ascender ao trono, como Albert, mas sim como George...etc
Tambem gostei muito de G. Rush e ainda nao vi o filme com o C. Bale, de quem gosto muito, desde o Imperio do Sol...
Sei que "O Discurso do Rei" e um filme ao qual vou voltar muitas vezes...
Beijinhos e Boa Semana! :-)
@ Anita :-)
I didn't see the Oscars either :-) but when I read "The Kings Speech" has got the most 4 important Oscars, I became so glad!!
"The Kings Speech" is a Great movie! I hope you' ll enjoy it as much as I did!
I'm ok, dear, and you? :-) I must write you an email.
Veel kusjes!!! :-)
I did visit the Churchill War Rooms a long time ago...
I think that the role played by the Br Royal Family during WWII was a very important one... King George and Queen Elizabeth stayed in London with their people, even if it was very dangerous. Queen Willhemina fled from NL to the UK together with the Dutch gov't of the time. I guess the circumstances were different, since here in the NL the Germans had occupied the country, but many people contrast the attitude of both monarchs during that time...
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