Her Majesty (2001) User Reviews

The ideal family film for both the children and adults in the family.

[PetraB · 7/10 · 11 June 2002]

"Her Majesty" is a delightful film that addresses light-hearted issues such as girlish crushes and important social commentary like racism, colonial rule, and `selective' history teachings. The story is similar to many told among all ethic backgrounds in New Zealand and around the world.

The beauty of New Zealand only contributes the excellent composure of each shot in this movie. The director of photography, Stephan Katz (Blues Brothers, 1980), allows the viewers a peak into the graceful countryside of New Zealand, but also the wide-eyed imagery that only a child can truly experience. First time director, Mark Gordon takes on all the hardships of working with children (the protagonist, Elizabeth, is played by a first time actor), a dog, and in a foreign country and executes perfectly. Although Mark Gordon is an American from California he manages to delve into New Zealand history and society in a way few New Zealanders would expect.

I personally am keeping my fingers crossed that this film will not be limited to the film festival circuits around the world; I would rather know it will be viewed and enjoyed by others wide spread. If you have an opportunity to see this film don't miss it. It is the ideal family film for both the children and adults in the family.

Enjoy!

Absolutely charming little film!

[TheDome81 · 8/10 · 11 August 2021]

It's refreshing to see a movie where nothing bad happens and you end up with a smile on your face. This is one of those rare happy, feel-good films. And almost nothing bad happens. The setting is 1953. Queen Elisabeth II has just been crowned and is planning a tour of the Commonwealth. Cut to Middletown, a small town in New Zealand where a young girl, also name Elizabeth (Sally Andrews), dreams of meeting the queen. (Name) plays the precocious girl brilliantly. She's smart, sweet, and has a very active imagination. Her excitement reaches a fever pitch when it's announced that the Queen will indeed, be visiting their town.

At the beginning of the film, she witnesses her bratty older brother throw a brick through the window of an old Maori woman's (Vicky Haughton, Whale Rider) shack. She feels bad for the woman and steals money from her brother's piggy bank and leaves it for her. Elisabeth ends up befriending the woman, who shares stories of her family and the woes brought on by the English settlers.

The whole movie is absolutely delightful, and like so many films from down under, it has an almost campy quality to it. But it perfectly portrays the innocence of the era. And it's a great family movie that anyone will enjoy!

Excellent View on Relations with Native People

[vldazzle · 8/10 · 29 April 2007]

Like "Rabbit Proof Fence" (another Aussie film) this one really has a natural and touching view on those of us "white people" who arbitrarily converted so many parts of the world. To my knowledge, none have been done in this manner of the progression of our US-Hollywood would frown on that.

I saw it on Encore channel and have saved it to share (as also the afore-mentioned) with friends and family. This type of film is seldom screened where any of them might be able to view it.

Both of the films have protagonists who are repressed and fighting against the issues which are considered "important" by the authorities of their time.

What a sweet, wonderful film; for all ages

[membership · 21 April 2003]

I loved this movie - had a chance to see a local screening and was delighted all the way though to the unexpected ending. The movie is set and filmed in New Zealand and is about a little girl who worships Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953 just after her coronation. The girl sends dozens of letters to Buckingham Palace and is ridiculed for her fancy; however, when the queen makes her trip that year to New Zealand (the trip was real; the rest fiction), she adds the little girl's rural town to her itinerary.

The movie is about the events preceeding the Queen's visit, including serious problems because the girl has befriended an old Maori woman with a complicated past; bigotry, small town clans, colonialism, ignorance, and other injustices rear their ugly head along the way to some unexpected conclusions. The movie is very touching and sure to be a hit for kids and families of all ages, as the main themes are universal.

I enjoyed the movie for its examination of personal values.

[sbrsnfld · 10/10 · 26 June 2002]

Her Majesty examines the dilemma of a young girl who faces conflicting demands from her friends and family and her reactions to those pressures. Although set in New Zealand in the 1950's, the situations are universal and timeless. The movie covers racial prejudice, peer pressure, and parental influence in ways that allow an audience of any age to follow that part of the movie with which they most identify.

The breathtaking scenery provided a beautiful backdrop against which to set the show. I was transported to a different time and place but felt like I was there. I was drawn to the struggle of the young girl to do what she thought was right even though it appeared she would have to pay a severe price to do so. Her character and that of the old Maori woman were well developed during the entire length of the movie and provided an in-depth look at how they deal with their place in the community. This was a pleasant change from most movies where the characters and their motivations are superficial or trite.

This is a movie suitable for all ages that keeps your attention based on the plot and the characters rather than stunts or violence. I was able to see it while on a trip to Los Angeles and keep hoping for a wider release so my friends here can have a chance to see it as well.

Great Movie for Family of all ages.

[jnnospam1 · 10/10 · 6 May 2004]

This movie worked on all levels. I was thoroughly and unexpectedly taken by it. The only reason I went was for a school fund raiser. Surprise! I loved it. It was easily the best movie I've seen all year.

I asked my two daughters, aged 6 and 10 what they thought. They both wanted to see it again and get the DVD when it comes out.

For those of you who have younger children, I don't think this movie deserved its PG rating. I felt a G rating would have been much more appropriate. I've seen G rated movies and tv shows with ten times the violence and sexual innuendos.

There is a little implied violence and nothing more. There is no sexual innuendo, only the romantic little girl musings of an 11 yr old girl.

My only caution about kids is that a child under 5 might find the movie a little boring.

I very much appreciated a thoughtful, but not brutal look at bigotry, pride, and false pride. I thought that good life lessons were taught by the movie.

It's too bad that Hollywood can't put out more stuff like this. If you liked Bend It Like Beckam, you'll like this, but you can take younger children as well.

See it quickly. It deserves a long run, but it's an indie, so it may not get length of theater time it deserves.

This movie is a keeper.

2004

This one is a keeper.

True Family Film

[gentah · 9/10 · 20 February 2005]

We saw this film at a screening with the director in May of 2004. We were lucky that an owner of a local theater chain saw this film at a film festival and brought it to our city, one of the first 3 to show the film. As a small independent film, this movie is at a disadvantage without a major studio backing them, but the director said he was committed to a theater release, so hopefully many people will that the opportunity to go see this beautiful movie.

We were delighted with the freshness of the story and the beautiful scenery of New Zealand. Sally Andrews is so great as the girl, Elizabeth, and she steals the show. This is a sweet film that you can take the family to without worrying about inappropriate material. Ironically, you should be aware that there is some sexual innuendo, but it is likely to go over your children's heads, and I did not find it to be offensive. Overall the movie appeals to young and old alike, and I would highly recommend it.

A silly sentimental movie

[bresh · 1/10 · 17 September 2005]

I work hard to see what is worthwhile in a movie, but this one has almost nothing going for it. To be sure it is a feel-good family movie but it has very little integrity.

The acting is average (apart from Vicky Haughton) and in my opinion, much of the responsibility for that can be laid at the feet of director/script writer Mark Gordon.

The young star Sally Andrews clearly has talent, but she is not allowed to show it. Directed over and over into the position of a simpering adolescent she never has a chance to show the strength and courage her part demanded.

Perhaps the most difficult role is the kuia Hira Mata played by Vicky Haughton. She struggles against the director and his grossly sentimental script and comes out with credit.

The script is described by one of the producers as one of the more intelligent he's seen, if that is so I dread to think what the rest of the movies are like. The dialogue is clichéd, the plot line has holes you could drive a bus through and many of the characters are quite unbelievable. To his credit Mark Gordon does try to confront the issues of the confiscation and theft of land from the Maori, but it is never convincing.

The rest of the cast are forced by the director into silly stereotypes and their resulting discomfort is almost palpable.

Our entire family saw this film and loved it!

[byers9 · 9/10 · 16 June 2002]

It is a rare occasion for our whole family to enjoy the same film. Our kids (8 and 4) tend to have a lower expectation than do their parents. I know a movie is good that makes both me and my kids tear up with joy! I hope that this film can be an example to Hollywood that "family movies" can be thought provoking, beautifully shot, and interesting to the whole family, even without bodily function jokes. Remember, Hollywood, who pays for those eight-year old's movie tickets!! Please find a distributor for this movie. I know a lot of families who would love to see it!! Thanks to the Seattle International Film Festival for choosing this wonderful movie. REALLY. I am a fairly tough critic.

It's the New Zealand I remember and the Maori spirit I felt.

[JohnDeSando · 5 August 2004]

`Her Majesty' is a New Zealand story for the whole family set in the '50's about a young girl's idealism and white racism against the Maoris. Elizabeth Wakefield (Sally Andrews) is a 13-year old royalist hell bent on meeting Queen Elizabeth. But before that can happen she must first go through the coming-of-age challenges of racist whites, angry Maoris, out-of-it parents, over-the-top cruel brother, unfaithful friends, handsome teacher, and scores of unanswered letters to the queen.

First-time film director Mark Jordan has caught the didactic spirit of `Whale Rider,' a New Zealand tale of 12–year-old Pai's struggle to become chief of her Maori people in the face of daunting sexism and tradition. As in that film, `Her Majesty' exposes the foolishness of the men and the wisdom of the women. None is wiser than the `town witch,' Hira Mata (`Whale Rider's' Vicky Haughton), who befriends Elizabeth and serves as the change agent for civility. The queen's imminent arrival serves as a metaphoric wakeup call for the town to sharpen up, not just for the gardens but for their own racist regimen.

The performances are stiff and slow as might be expected for a film better suited to young audiences: The fight scenes between sister and brother are like awkward dance lessons; the reactions of almost everyone are too large for the screen, except for old Mata's, themselves not as subtle as they could be.

Queen Elizabeth II visited the location, Cambridge, New Zealand, in 1953. Gordon catches the spirit, mood, and look of that age in vivid primary colors, almost cartoon or comic like. But the moral lessons learned by little Elizabeth transcend even the queen; she has learned, as Henry Potter said in 1889, `the one pre-eminent distinction, the royalty of virtue.'

It's the New Zealand I remember and the Maori spirit I felt; for that, Gordon earns my respect.

Outstanding film for the whole family

[rco01 · 10/10 · 28 December 2001]

The writer and director have provided a wholesome and entertaining movie which should be appreciated by the whole family. It encompasses history involving the peoples of New Zealand and England. It is a lovely story concerning trips taken by English Royalty to New Zealand and shows how a gift of appreciation is misused and how this misuse is finally rectified. The cast does a fine job of portraying the characters involved and the movie leaves you with an overall pleasant feeling of enjoyment.

Delightful! Really a treasure of a film!

[jacwolfe2001 · 10/10 · 24 June 2002]

This film was absolutely delightful. The characters were beautifully developed, the new young star was refreshing, innocent yet entirely believable. The film was truly engaging from start to finish, highly entertaining, delivered a wonderful message, but managed to avoid all the typical cliches of many "coming of age" films. It's really a treasure!

Film about prejudice and the courage of a young girl.

[emms28 · 10/10 · 24 January 2005]

This is an excellent film Of a young girl, Elizabeth who thinks that all people are equals no matter what race of gender or age you are. Queen Elizabeth II is her role model, her idol she looks up to her and when it is announced that she will be visiting New Zealand she would love nothing more than for the Queen to come to her small town of Middleton so she sends letter after letter asking exactly that and when the queens Itinerary is announced, To everyones surprise and pleasure she WILL be visiting Middleton. Amongst all this Elizabeth has befriended an old Maori woman And against her fathers will visits her each day. She learns of the conflict between Moari and Europeans when the Europeans first arrived in New Zealand.

Great! Go see it, and take the kids!

[roxanne_janson · 10/10 · 19 February 2005]

Excellent movie for kids and family. Perfect for ages 10 and up, but 7-year-old kids absolutely loved it, too. As my daughter said, "It was so good, I forgot to eat my candy!" I spoke to several of the children, teenagers and adults after the movie. They all thoroughly enjoyed it. I specifically asked the mothers of 7-year-old girls if they were glad they brought their young daughters to the movie even though it's PG, and they each enthusiastically said yes. "Good values" was a phrase I heard very often by the adults. "Every girl should see it", said another.

The main character works through issues such as basic right and wrong, friendship, bigotry, and family communication, and gives parents in the audience a wonderful opportunity to begin discussions on these topics with their own children. Finally, a good movie I'm actually glad my daughter saw.

What a delightful film!

[Schlegel11 · 26 March 2002]

I enjoyed the distinct pleasure of seeing this film on March 24, 2002, at the 26th Annual Cleveland International Film Festival.

What a delight! I must first admit that I had very few expectations for this film when I selected it. Like many film fesitval veterans, my film choices at these events tend more toward the logistic rather than the artistic: in other words, if the movie plays at 3 p.m. and I am free at 3 p.m. -- and none of the other three films playing at that same time interests me -- I frequently choose a film by default.

In this case, however, my "choice by default" turned out to be a wonderful happenstance. This movie deserves to be picked up for national distribution within the United States very quickly. I was completely charmed by the story of a young New Zealander who is obsessed with Queen Elizabeth II. In an attempt to get the newly crowned Queen to visit her small cheese-making town, the youngster embarks upon a prolific letter-writing campaign to convince the Queen to visit the small town during her upcoming tour of the country.

The relationships in the film are very strongly fleshed out, and the movie can make even the most hard-edged cynic tear up and cry like a little baby! The young actor who plays Elizabeth brings a genuine sweetness and pluckiness to her role. And the woman who plays the Maori elder is wise and noble but never succumbs to cliche. This is a family film that can wear such a badge with absolute distinction. It teaches without preaching or condescending. I cannot rave enough about this wonderful film!

The writer/director of the film was present for the screening. He described how it took him nearly 13 years to get the movie made, what with his chasing of financing as well as his dealings with studios that wanted him to compromise his script by moving the setting to America instead of its New Zealand locale. I can only hope that some of these same "industry types" who were so quick to dismiss the film were present for the Cleveland screening, where the audience erupted in thunderous cheers and applause at the end of the movie.

Keep a watchful eye out for this movie -- and pray that it gets the wide exposure it so dearly deserves!

Awesome

[P-Piper-C · 9/10 · 11 January 2006]

It's a clever person indeed who can capture the clash of cultures in a country that one is not a native or 'settler' of. The themes of family, tolerance, misconception, greed, bigotry, parental love are all here! This movie made me cry, made me gasp, and shocked me into remembering how a young country can be shaped or misshaped because of Bigotry...And if not careful those bigotries will still exist 55 years later

If two twelve year old girls can find delight and an eighteen year old male looks at you bewildered that things really happened like that...Mum and Dad remember all to well that while set in the 50's some of those themes are still true... What a wonderful family film with all the right ingredients... If provokes thought and conversation that lasted well past dinner!

Values Shown Are Linked With Character

[jhere4unow · 9/10 · 20 February 2005]

"Her Majesty" is a film that is appropriate for all ages. It shows the value of sticking up for what is is important. It plays havoc with the town gossips who are led by a woman of money and power, but who has no grasp with the true meaning of the people who occupied the land before her. Yes, she and her cronies are the hens in "Music Man" and I felt the young Elizabeth was going up to Boo Radley's door as in "To Kill A Mockingbird," but the universal themes of sticking up for what is important and having condescension within one family are obvious existent realities.The only problem I had was with the character of the brother who I felt went over the limit in antagonizing his sister; indeed, beyond sibling rivalry. If he had been the boy next door, or a latent admirer of Elizabeth, I might have understood his vindictiveness.

A great film for the whole family

[chersull_99 · 13 May 2004]

I saw this movie last week with my 12 and 7 year-old-daughters. The story, characters and locations were all just wonderful. The film was endearing and carried a great moral, without being preachy. The comedy in the film works, the drama works, and neither is too much or too corny. The characters are well developed and the audience clearly identifies with the protagonist, 11-year-old Elizabeth. The crowd actually broke out in cheers when the mean older brother finally gets his - something I haven't experienced in a movie in years. I especially enjoyed seeing Vicky Haughton again after her fabulous performance in Whale Rider. I highly recommend this film for everyone...yes even men without kids. The screening was followed by a Q&A with writer/director Mark Gordon. He is traveling the country, screening the movie, and asked that we spread the word, which I am by posting this notice. I wouldn't bother doing this merely on the request of the filmmaker, but the movie spoke for itself. I made a mental note to post a great review as soon as the ending credits started.

I've been racking my brain trying to remember the movie this one reminded me and I finally thought of it. The movie is like a perfected version of "A Christmas Story". The comedy is similarly good, but the message this movie sends, and the quality of the filmmaking goes well beyond.

Anyway, take your kids and enjoy!

An impressive new direction for film

[gbesson · 7 February 2002]

"Her Majesty" an impressive new film shown at the Mill Valley Film Festival.

For some time, there has been significant unrest with our entertainment media. Large segments of the public have been decrying Hollywood film productions. The choice of violent content, dysfunctional behavior, excessive sexual emphasis, and a debased human condition as subject material have championed sensationalism over the artistic potential of the film industry.

But there have been signs of a reawakening of the films artistry with a new generation of film makers. This example, a film made in New Zealand by a young American writer and director, Mark Gordon is one to stir nostalgia for this all but lost art.

The story line is a very straightforward one. A 12 year old girl, captivated by the fairytale like coronation of England's Queen Elizabeth in 1953 becomes obsessed with the notion that if she prevails on her Queen, often and with a great enough devotion, her idol might, on a tour of the Empire, come to New Zealand. Once there she would visit the small town of Middleton, where she might be met and greeted by this young dreamer. As a subplot, the great 19th century struggle by the Maori natives to keep the white man from killing their people and seizing their land is historically brought to life in the character of an old woman, daughter of a slain chief of the Maori who is befriended by our young dreamer. The few months between the Queen's itinerary being settled to include Middleton and the actual visit is a hectic melange of problems and resolutions that revolve about the girl's family, the Maori elder, and the community. The visit (which historically duplicates a real event in 1953, and includes locals who were present at that visit) calms all the ruffled waters and leaves the viewer teary eyed and fulfilled.

What then does one make of the wholesome content of this film, of the sensitive treatment of a child at the verge of her awakening as an adolescent and of her dreams. The film's depiction of the Maori elder's treatment as an outcast, and its reversal by the Queen is also developed with touching sensitivity. There is great care in dovetailing all of the above with great cinematography, a coordinated musical background, a precision of costume and period pieces of furniture and cars that blend together as great film artistry.

One leaves this film with a warm glow that is part nostalgia for simpler and less troubling times, and part hope for an industry to regain its focus, rekindling the art of filmaking to suggest that the human condition is not all bad. Art can reflect the best or the worst about us. It can also search for the simple but mysterious parts of ourselves and our world and express them in artistic metaphor.

This film does that beautifully. I hope it goes far, but if you get a chance, go see it , and take the kids.

As evidenced by the other comments, a truly great film!

[gsgbob · 10 February 2003]

My wife and I had the unexpected pleasure to view this film on Feb 7, 2003. I had heard good things about it but did not expect to be grabbed by the story as a macho man. I thought this was going to be a film to take your kids to. Were we ever surprised. It could have been set in middle America, not New Zealand, in the 50s. The humor is universal as is the heart---and I could understand every word. This looks, sounds and feels as good as any about any studio film I have seen. Let's hope Her Majesty gets shown all over, it has more and broader appeal than Greek Weddings for sure!

Family

[ckram5 · 1 May 2004]

It is seldom that I would tell my friends that there is a movie that they must see. For family entertainment this "is a must see". Thank you Mr.Gordon, as far as I'm concerned your 16 years of effort was worth it. You made this 45 year old Marine cry. Interwoven themes of bigotry, friendship, maturity, courage, family, culture, love and greed make for a movie that is refreshing and one that I would take the children to see again. The manipulative Mrs. Hobson and her friends reminded me of the cackling hens in "The Music Man". My older son cheered when Mr. Wakefield told Kupe to escort Mrs. Hobson out of their home.