The Young Victoria (2009)

A dramatization of the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria's rule, and her enduring romance with Prince Albert.

Director:

Jean-Marc Vallée

Writer:

Julian Fellowes

Stars:

Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany

Won 1 Oscar. Another 9 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Emily Blunt	...	Queen Victoria
Rupert Friend	...	Prince Albert
Paul Bettany	...	Lord Melbourne
Miranda Richardson	...	Duchess of Kent
Jim Broadbent	...	King William
Thomas Kretschmann	...	King Leopold
Mark Strong	...	Sir John Conroy
Jesper Christensen	...	Baron Stockmar
Harriet Walter	...	Queen Adelaide
Jeanette Hain	...	Baroness Lehzen
Julian Glover	...	Duke of Wellington
Michael Maloney	...	Sir Robert Peel
Michiel Huisman	...	Ernest
Genevieve O'Reilly	...	Lady Flora Hastings
Rachael Stirling	...	Duchess of Sutherland

Storyline

Dominated by her possessive mother and her bullying consort, Conroy, since childhood, teen-aged Victoria refuses to allow them the power of acting as her regent in the last days of her uncle, William IV's rule. Her German cousin Albert is encouraged to court her for solely political motives but, following her accession at age eighteen, finds he is falling for her and is dismayed at her reliance on trusty premier Melbourne. Victoria is impressed by Albert's philanthropy which is akin to her own desire to help her subjects. However her loyalty to Melbourne, perceived as a self-seeker, almost causes a constitutional crisis and it is Albert who helps restore her self-confidence. She proposes and they marry, Albert proving himself not only a devoted spouse, prepared to take an assassin's bullet for her, but an agent of much-needed reform, finally endorsed by an admiring Melbourne.

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Plot Keywords:

prince albert | belgium | prime minister | king of england | stubbornness | 

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Taglines:

Her country. Her heart. Her majesty.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some mild sensuality, a scene of violence, and brief incidental language and smoking

Details

Official Sites:

Facebook Official site

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

6 March 2009 (UK)

Also Known As:

La joven Victoria

Filming Locations:

Arundel Castle, Arundel, West Sussex, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$160,069 (USA) (18 December 2009)

Gross:

$10,991,381 (USA) (23 April 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

GK Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min 100 min (European Film Market)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS (as dts) SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Producer Sarah Ferguson's daughter, Princess Beatrice of York, has a small role in the film as one of Victoria's ladies in waiting. Beatrice is a great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria.

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Goofs

Leopold I tells Stockmar "I am the youngest son of a penniless duke". Leopold's father, Francis, was the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, and hardly penniless. He was also not the youngest son; Franz Maximilian Ludwig, who lived just 22 days, was born two years after Leopold.

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Quotes

Prince Albert: I just got your note. I was riding.
Queen Victoria: Sit, please.
Prince Albert: The park is marvelous.
Queen Victoria: I'm so pleased you like it. I do want you to feel quite at home... I'm sure you're aware why I wished you to come here. Because it would make me happier than anything, too happy really, if you would agree to what I wish.
Prince Albert: And stay with you?
Queen Victoria: And stay with me.
Prince Albert: And marry you?
Queen Victoria: And marry me!

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Crazy Credits

In the on-screen credits, Heidi Miller and Georgiana Sayer are each listed twice as Costume Assistant.

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Connections

Featured in The Jay Leno Show: Episode #1.82 (2010)

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Soundtracks

"Schwanengesang (Swan Song): No. 4 Standchen (Serenade)"
Written by Franz Schubert

User Reviews

A warm and moving love story, beautifully acted by Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend

Despite some reviews being distinctly Luke-warm, I found the story totally engrossing and even if some critics have described the love story as 'Mills and Boon', so what? It is good to see a warm, touching story of real love in these cynical times. Many in the audience were sniffing and surreptitiously dabbing their eyes. You really believe that the young Victoria and Albert are passionately fond of each other, even though, for political reasons, it was an arranged marriage. I did feel though that Sir John Conroy, who was desperate to control the young Queen, is perhaps played too like a pantomime villain. As it is rumoured that he was in fact, the real father of Victoria (as a result of an affair with her mother The Duchess of Kent) it would have been interesting to explore this theory. Emily Blunt is totally convincing as the young Princess, trapped in the stifling palace with courtiers and politicians out to manipulate her. She brilliantly portrays the strength of character and determination that eventually made Victoria a great Queen of England, which prospered as never before, under her long reign. I believe word of mouth recommendations will ensure great success for this most enjoyable and wonderful looking movie.