A History of Royals discussion

Has anyone heard about/seen this film? I really don't care much for the whole Edward VIII abdication/George VI story, but since it seems to be focused more on George VI than Edward VIII it could be interesting.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1504320/

I haven't seen it, but either Colin Firth or Geoffrey Rush, or both are possible for Oscar Nominations for it, according to sources, lol. Actually, with Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush both in it, it should be good.

Word of mouth is that it is very good.
To be honest, I had never heard of the movie until two weeks ago.

I find this pre World World II era fascinating and look forward to seeing it. Apparently Helena Bonham Carter does a great job playing Queen Elizabeth (the present queen's mother)

FYI - per today's Today in History thread, today is the date of Edward's abdication and George's ascension to the throne.

This movie is really getting a lot of press currently, and I am really looking forward to seeing it.

Yes, I saw the trailer and it really piqued my interest.

I saw it a few days ago.
Really really well done and great acting by everyone.
Gives an intimate peek into the background of King George VI.

I was thinking how strange that we all grew up while Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother)still lived, but so little is known about the short reign of her husband.

The movie does an excellent job portraying the struggle endured by the Duke of York/George VI to speak in public.

My only pet peeve is how they made it look as if George VI never made a speech from the moment he became King (1937) until the outbreak of WWII (1939).

I had never heard of it until the movie came out. I did see a movie reviewed yesterday morning say it was an "okay" movie, and was a "sleeper" more or less, except for the scenes with Geoffrey Rush (he is a fabulous actor anyway). I think this is probably one of those movies you are going to have see for yourself, and determine whether or not you like it.

The movie was fantastic and I thought the book was quite exceptional as well. I read the book before the film came out and thought it was very good. The film has phenomenal acting and above all it is a must see.

Liz - I am looking forward to both the book and the movie.

I saw it last night and loved it! I wish they had cast Jennifer Ehle as his wife for all of us P&P fans.

I saw it yesterday. It was a very good movie.

Apparently there's a book like was mentioned, but is it a case where it's based on the movie or vice versa? I read Mark Logue is a filmmaker who recently published a book, also titled The King's Speech based on his his grandfather’s diaries. But because they came out at nearly the same time it makes me wonder

The movie does not reference the book at all, so I was thinking that they are concurrent, but not related? I'm pretty sure that the Logue book is the one that Liz was referencing.

Ya I was also wondering that as well when I was reading the book. The book came out maybe a month and half before the movie. It is a little strange. The book is very short so maybe they quickly rushed a book together before the film?

There was something on the news ( I think BBC America's nightly boardcast) that side the journals of the therapist were found while they were filming.

I haven't seen the movie yet, but I look forward to it. I take it that the movie portrays Logue working with George VI after he became king?

I've just finished reading Sarah Bradford's biography of George VI, and she says that Logue was in the crowd when Prince Albert (as was) had an agonizing time giving a speech at the closing of the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley Stadium, in 1925. Logue reportedly said of the Prince then, "He's too old for me to manage a complete cure. But I could very nearly do it." The Prince began his therapy in 1926, and Logue's treatment "produced an almost instant improvement, which was particularly noticeable only two months after he first consulted the therapist." Bradford says that by the time of the abdication the Prince had mostly conquered his stutter, as far as public speaking was concerned.

When George VI became king and had to do live radio broadcasts, a microphone expert named Robert Wood, along with Logue, helped him to "minimize the effects of his stammer" when using a microphone. So perhaps these sessions are the basis of the movie?

The movie covers mostly working George VI before he became king, though it does cover his first major address on the eve of WW II. The line that you quote from Bradford is in the movie.

Ok, cool. Bradford first mentions Wood when the king was preparing for the Coronation Day broadcast. And then there was the Coronation service itself, the words of which could not be altered to accommodate a stutter.

The movie was absolutely amazing. I've just started reading the book as well.

I can't get over how blown away I was by all of the acting performances.

I had an interesting conversation with my friends after the movie though. I remember growing up in the US that whenever I heard about Edward's abdication in school or elsewhere it was presented as something quite romantic. The man giving up the throne for his love.

My friend Liz's father is British and she grew up hearing the stories of how selfish he was to abandon the country when he did. I have to say that after seeing the movie and doing some reading, I definitely have a much less romantic view of the man.

I just saw a preview of this movie on the TV and I can't wait to see it!

Cin wrote: "The movie was absolutely amazing. I've just started reading the book as well.

I can't get over how blown away I was by all of the acting performances.

I had an interesting conversation with my..."
Well said. I completely agree with you, the acting was phenomenal. It really piqued my interest about the British monarchy and especially King George VI.

Colleen wrote: "I just saw a preview of this movie on the TV and I can't wait to see it!"

I'm with you, Colleen. I can't wait to see it. British Monarchy, Geoffrey Rusch, and Colin Firth. How can you go wrong?

Lyn M wrote: "Colleen wrote: "I just saw a preview of this movie on the TV and I can't wait to see it!"

I'm with you, Colleen. I can't wait to see it. British Monarchy, Geoffrey Rusch, and Colin Firth. How c..."
Especially, Colin Firth. Oh he is handsome!

I really want to see this one. Everything I've heard indicates that I'd enjoy it. Could probably talk my mom into it, too!

Susanna, Im sure you will enjoy it tremendously.

Saw the movie a couple of nights ago and was really glad to see how accurate this movie is.This script was YEARS in the making.The director was asked by the queen mother while she was living not to make this movie while she was still alive,apparently she wanted to forget what her husband went through.The king had a stammer all his life caused by stress from his nanny and his overbearing father.I have read and studied a lot of books and papers on the abdication,king edward the 8th,his father king george 5th and wallis simpson,the duchess of windsor.I am presently reading a indepth book on the queen mother and enjoying it, all 1000 pages of it!

It was a very good movie, and we really enjoyed it.