The Decision (6 Dec. 1978)

With Wallis Simpson's interim divorce decree issued, the King makes his intentions known. He advises his friend Walter Monkton and Prime Minister Baldwin that he has every intention of ... See full summary »

Director:

Waris Hussein

Writers:

Frances Donaldson (book), Simon Raven

Stars:

Edward Fox, Cynthia Harris, Peggy Ashcroft

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Edward Fox	...	King Edward VIII
Cynthia Harris	...	Wallis Warfield Simpson
Peggy Ashcroft	...	Queen Mary
Nigel Hawthorne	...	Walter Monkton
Jessie Matthews	...	Aunt Bessie Merryman
Andrew Ray	...	Duke of York
John Shrapnel	...	Major Alexander Hardinge
David Waller	...	Stanley Baldwin
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Abbott	...	Mouth Organist
T.R. Bowen	...	Duff Cooper (as Trevor Bowen)
Peter Ellis	...	Osborne
Robert Flemyng	...	Sir Donald Somervell
Patricia Hodge	...	Lady Diana Cooper
Christopher Holmes	...	Stoker Aldridge (as Chris Holmes)
Geoffrey Lumsden	...	Geoffrey Dawson

Storyline

With Wallis Simpson's interim divorce decree issued, the King makes his intentions known. He advises his friend Walter Monkton and Prime Minister Baldwin that he has every intention of marrying Wallis and that he will not be crowned unless she can stand by his side. He also advises him that should he be prevented from proceeding with his intentions, he will abdicate in favor of his younger brother Bertie. The King has a few supporters - Lord Beaverbrook and Winston Churchill among them - but for the most part, few believe that the people would accept the union. The press will soon publish the story and there is no support in the Dominions for his marriage. He advises his brother Bertie of what may happen. His mother, Queen Mary, cannot believe that with all of the benefits he has had, the King would forgo his duty for love.

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Plot Keywords:

prime minister | abdication | navy | hornpipe | singing | 

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 December 1978 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Thames Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"It's a Long Way to Tipperary"
(uncredited)
By Jack Judge

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