The Queen (2006)

Director:

Stephen Frears

Writer:

Peter Morgan (written by)

Release Date:

15 September 2006 (Italy)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

Tradition Prepared Her. Change Will Define Her.

Plot:

After the death of Princess Diana, HM Queen Elizabeth II struggles with her reaction to a sequence of events nobody could have predicted.

Plot Keywords:

Queen | Royal Family | Monarchy | Prime Minister | Speech

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 58 wins & 51 nominations

Cast

Helen Mirren	...	The Queen
James Cromwell	...	Prince Philip
Alex Jennings	...	Prince Charles
Roger Allam	...	Robin Janvrin
Sylvia Syms	...	Queen Mother
Tim McMullan	...	Stephen Lamport
Robin Soans	...	Equerry
Lola Peploe	...	Janvrin's Secretary
Douglas Reith	...	Lord Airlie
Joyce Henderson	...	Balmoral Maid
Pat Laffan	...	Head Ghillie
Amanda Hadingue	...	Queen's Dresser
John McGlynn	...	Balmoral Head Ghillie
Gray O'Brien	...	Charles' Valet
Dolina MacLennan	...	Balmoral Switchboard Operator

Also Known As:

La regina (Italy)
The Queen (France)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language.

Runtime:

103 min | Turkey:94 min (TV version)

Country:

UK | France | Italy

Language:

English | German | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Ireland:PG | UK:12A | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Finland:K-3 | Netherlands:AL | France:U | Singapore:PG | Australia:M | Germany:o.Al. | Portugal:M/12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Brazil:Livre | Argentina:Atp | Denmark:A | Norway:A | Sweden:Btl | Canada:G (British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/Nova Scotia) | South Korea:12 | Peru:PT | USA:PG-13 (certificate #42527) | Malaysia:U | Norway:10 (TV rating)

Filming Locations:

Blairquhan Castle, Blairquhan, South Ayrshire, Scotland, UK

Company:

BIM Distribuzione

Trivia:

Helen Mirren says transforming herself into the Queen came almost naturally after the wig and glasses, especially since she shares a default facial expression, a slightly down turned mouth, with the monarch. She also regularly reviewed film and video footage of Elizabeth and kept photographs in her trailer during production. The writer Peter Morgan says it was convincing enough that, by the end of production, crew members who had been accustomed to slouching or relaxing when they addressed her were standing straight up and respectfully folding their hands behind their backs.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Princess Diana's coffin is clearly shown as being flown into RAF Brize Norton from Paris, but in reality the body was returned to the UK via RAF Northolt.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Reporter: After weeks of campaigning on the road, Tony Blair and his family finally strolled the few hundred yards to the polling station this election day morning. Amongst the Labour faithful up and down the country, there is an enormous sense of pride in Mr. Blair's achievements, and the confidence that he is about to become the youngest prime minister this century.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "House M.D.: House Training (#3.20)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel

Truly Moving Picture

I saw this film on September 25th, 2006 in Indianapolis. I am one of the judges for the Heartland Film Festival's Truly Moving Picture Award. A Truly Moving Picture "…explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life." Heartland gave that award to this film.

Normally I am careful not to give away the ending of a movie in a comment. In this case, the story and the ending are already known. In 1997, Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris trying to escape from the paparazzi. This was about a year after her divorce with Prince Charles. Great Britain and the world mourned her loss in a surprisingly large way. It was as if Princess Diana was an assassinated world political or spiritual leader.

The royal family did not initially react to her death in a human or sensitive way. They alternately said it was a private affair or Princess Diana was no longer royalty since the divorce or we are protecting Princess Diana's two sons or let us grieve alone. But, they were coming off as cold and standoffish to the English people and they were causing the monarchy system to become unpopular and even despised. In steps the new young Prime Minister, Tony Blair, influences Queen Elizabeth II to mourn in public and bring a humanity to the English monarchy.

The real story is the journey of Tony Blair and Queen Elizabeth II to get to this final destination.

It is hard to separate what is fact and what is made-up in this film. Many facts are certain because you see historical footage of the bunches of cut flowers growing in front of Buckingham Palace and the then President Clinton making a statement and many clips of Princess Diane throughout her life. But the many behind-the-scenes conversations had to be invented or recalled, so it has to be part fiction and part fact.

The monarchy is not treated kindly in this film. Prince Philip comes off as insensitive and a bearer of grudges. Prince Charles appears to be weak. Queen Elizabeth II, played brilliantly by Helen Mirren, comes off as reserved and complicated. And Tony Blair, played convincingly by Michael Sheen, trumps the royalty by being real and wise and likable.

The storytelling is compelling. Even though you know what will happen, you are intrigued by how the characters get to their ultimate positions.

In the end, Queen Elizabeth II and Tony Blair display a profound love for their country. It is really a story about public dignitaries trying to do the right thing for their country and their families.

FYI – There is a Truly Moving Pictures web site where you can find a listing of past Crystal Heart Award winners as well as other Truly Moving Picture Award winners that are now either at the theater or available on video.