King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (nee Bowes Lyon)

[grandduchessella]

Colin Firth always looks good.    Coming out of the Toronto Festival, Academy Award talk was for the picture, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Geoffrey Rush) and Best Supporting Actress (Helena Bonham Carter).

Funny side note--if HBC was nominated and won, all the Queens Elizabeth would have been awarded Oscars for portrayals: Judi Dench as EI in Shakespeare in Love, Helen Mirren as EII and HBC as QEQM.

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes but all Queen Regants and not Queen Consorts. Helen Mirren got nothing for Queen Charlotte in "the Madness of King George" remember ?

[grandduchessella]

I only mentioned the Elizabeths, not all in general. There have been 3 Queens Elizabeth--2 reigning, one consort (in the modern age). It was just an interesting aside that if HBC won, all the actresses QEs since EI would have won Oscars. The post had nothing to do with portrayals of other Queens (reigning or not). Just as Cate Blanchett was nominated but lost for her portrayal of EI--the same year Judi Dench won--that would've been quite a coincidence.

[Eric_Lowe]

I think Queen Elizabeth I is a great role and many actresses had great success with it. Apart from Dame Dudi & Helen Mirren, there was of course Cate Blancett & Glenda Jackson who played her in a series as well as in "Mary, Queen of Scots" (Vanessa Redgrave played Mary). However I think the role of the Queen Mother is more complex and not easy to play. I most certainly did NOT see her in Helena Bonham-Carter. I would predict a no for her as best supporting actress oscar.

[Keith]

Eric,

What about Bonham Carter's performance did you not care for?

[grandduchessella]

You must have been lucky to get an early peek--it's still making the festival rounds. Can't wait until it actually opens.

[aor]

I think Queen Elizabeth I is a great role and many actresses had great success with it. Apart from Dame Dudi & Helen Mirren, there was of course Cate Blancett & Glenda Jackson who played her in a series as well as in "Mary, Queen of Scots" (Vanessa Redgrave played Mary). However I think the role of the Queen Mother is more complex and not easy to play. I most certainly did NOT see her in Helena Bonham-Carter. I would predict a no for her as best supporting actress oscar.

Eric, I don't see how you can make that statement based on the trailer shown.......it would be the same as someone basing their opinion of you on your last 10 posts......

[Eric_Lowe]

Well...I should be allowed to make my own opinions. First of all she does not look like anything like the Queen Mum. Unlike Helen Mirren who commanded the screen even in the trailer of "The Queen". Second the best supporting actress should be one who could steal the light from the lead like Dame Judi (for 8 minutes in "Shakespear in Love") or Cate Blanchett as Katherine Hepburn in "Aviator". Helena's performance did not give me that at all. Of course I have not seen the whole film, but as a fan of hers throughout the years (begining with "A Room With A View"), she was an effective actress who was more noticed by her looks then her acting. What I am saying here is that I am not convinced yet that she could play The Queen Mum and convince us that she was her.

[Keith]

What I am saying here is that I am not convinced yet that she could play The Queen Mum and convince us that she was her.

Perhaps once you've actually seen the film and her whole performance, you'll have a different opinion. At the very least, you will then be able to make an informed opinion.

[Eric_Lowe]

More like a definite opinion. But from what I see Colin Firth is the one to look out for, his performance even from the clip is VERY good. 

[violetta]

Queen Elizabeth and George VI visit Polish troops during W WII

[violetta]

Queen Elizabeth and her husband visiting polish troops in  Scotland during WW II

[violetta]

i forgot to say that this visit took place in 1941

[violetta]

more pictures of the visit to scotland

[violetta]

and more