Movies about the British Royal family

[Viscount]

http://www.pathe.co.uk/
 


Director - Stephen Frears
Producer - Scott Rudin
Writter - Peter Morgan
Starring Dame Hellen Mirren (HM Queen Elizabeth II); Michael Sheen (Tony Blair, The PM); James Cromwell (HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh); Sylvia Simms (HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother); Paul Barret (Trevor Rhys Jones);
Music - Alexandre Desplat
Cinematographer - Affonso Beato
Distributor - Pathe Films
 
The UK release date 15th September 2006 (interestingly and Im sure not a co-incidence - the birthday of HRH Prince Harry).



The Queen is an intimate behind the scenes glimpse at the interaction between HM Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony Blair during their struggle following the death of Diana - to reach a compromise between what was a private tragedy for the Royal Family and the public's demand for an overt display of mourning.  HM is shown being upset by the public's angry reaction to the Royal Family with one scene showing her talking to QETQM saying "when you no longer understand your people, maybe it's time to hand over to the next generation." However QETQM tells her daughter not to listen to "that silly Mr Blair with his Cheshire Cat grin". Film-makers insist the scene is accurate and is based on extensive research.  Also a scene shows HM in bed at Balmoral and as The Duke removes his dressing gown he says "Move over, Cabbage" a nickname which has been confirmed by Royal author and biographer Robert Lacey.

During the shoot in Glenfeshie Estate, Scotland, Dame Helen Mirren drove a Land Rover through a river - and got stuck!  She was taken out using a caterpillar vehicle in order so that she would not get her feet wet, and the Land Rover was driven out by another person. She successfully drove the Land Rover across the river on the second take.

The film has been nominated for the Golden Lion Award (Best Film) at this year's Venice Film Festival - which is on 30th August-9th September 2006 - which by another co-incidence (not?)reminds us all of the time in 1997 when Diana was taken from us so tragically.

Love it or hate the idea - I must be honest but I cant wait to see it!!!!!!

And it seems to me you lived your life Like a candle in the wind Never fading with the sunset When the rain set in And you footsteps will always fall here Along englands greenest hills Your candles burned out long before Your legend ever will

 

The Viscount

[Eric_Lowe]

What about Prince Charles ? Why wasn't he respresented ? Anyway I think this should be an interesting film and I will go and see it. Thanks for the lovely photo of Diana ! 

[Lucien]

The trailer of "The Queen" :

http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/thequeen/

[helenazar]

Seems like the film is more about Elizabeth II than Diana, isn't it?

Will it be released in the States? Thanks for posting this info.

[JaneEyre5381]

I think this will be released in New York City on September 30.  I'm not sure about the rest of the country.

[Robert_Hall]

Helen, it is about the aftermath of Diana's death, the reaction so to speak. From what I have seen of it, I have a mixed reaction. Although I adore Helen Mirren. I will see the film in London this October.

[Eric_Lowe]

Will love to see it and then judge...

[TampaBay]

I believe it will be a good movie because Ms. Mirren is one smart lady and she would not be in a film that was not fair or was tabloid fodder.

TampaBay

[grandduchessella]

Just a side note--for one of her most recent roles, Elizabeth I (working her way through the Queens, perhaps Victoria is next?  ) she won the Emmy for Best Actress in a Miniseries/Movie last night, as did the movie itself and Jeremy Irons for Supporting Actor. 

[Eric_Lowe]

Although she was pushing it a bit for a young Elisabeth I. I think Cate Blancgard was better. 

[TampaBay]

Just a side note--for one of her most recent roles, Elizabeth I (working her way through the Queens, perhaps Victoria is next?  ) she won the Emmy for Best Actress in a Miniseries/Movie last night, as did the movie itself and Jeremy Irons for Supporting Actor. 

Well she was an excellent Queen Charlotte and I beleived was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

Whi do you think shoule play Marie of Coburg?  Marie of Coburg is one princess that Ms. Mirren could not play. 

TampaBay

TampaBay

[Prince_Lieven]

Although she was pushing it a bit for a young Elisabeth I. I think Cate Blancgard was better. 

She didn't play a young Elizabeth I - the drama she was in began in the 1570s, when she was middle aged! 

[Monceau]

Brenda Fricker can play Marie of Coburg!   

[grandduchessella]

I'd like Judi Dench but I think she's probably too short.  She was a great Elizabeth I (in Shakespeare in Love) and won the Oscar for it.

Helen Mirren was great (and looked fabulous) at the Emmys. She said she was glad she didn't fall 'a**over t**s ' trying to get up to the stage in her long dress. I don't know how that made it past our bleepers but it was hysterical. 

As a little footnote, she is the only actress to play both Queens Elizabeth.

Also, she was born Elena Lydia Mironoff  . Her grandfather was a Tsarist aristocrat who was in London when the 1917 Russian Revolution stranded him there. His wife and son (Helen's father) joined him in London. Her great-great-great-great-grandfather was Field Marshal Kamensky, one of the heroes of the Napoleonic wars.

[Eric_Lowe]

I think she could also play Minny (Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna).