A Royal Affair (2012)
"En kongelig affære" (original title)

A young queen, who is married to an insane king, falls secretly in love with her physician - and together they start a revolution that changes a nation forever.

Director:

Nikolaj Arcel

Writers:

Bodil Steensen-Leth (novel), Rasmus Heisterberg (screenplay),

Stars:

Alicia Vikander, Mads Mikkelsen, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 18 wins & 26 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alicia Vikander	...	Caroline Mathilde
Mads Mikkelsen	...	Johann Friedrich Struensee
Mikkel Boe Følsgaard	...	Christian VII
Trine Dyrholm	...	Juliane Marie
David Dencik	...	Ove Høegh-Guldberg
Thomas W. Gabrielsson	...	Schack Carl Rantzau
Cyron Melville	...	Enevold Brandt (as Cyron Bjørn Melville)
Bent Mejding	...	J. H. E. Bernstoff
Harriet Walter	...	Augusta - Princess of Wales
Laura Bro	...	Louise von Plessen
Søren Malling	...	Hartmann
Jakob Ulrik Lohmann	...	Juliane's Officer
Søren Spanning	...	Munter
Frederik Christian Johansen	...	Arveprinsen
John Martinus	...	Reventlow

Storyline

In 1767, the British Princess Caroline is betrothed to the mad King Christian VII of Denmark, but her life with the erratic monarch in the oppressive country becomes an isolating misery. However, Christian soon gains a fast companion with the German Dr. Johann Struensee, a quietly idealistic man of the Enlightenment. As the only one who can influence the King, Struensee is able to begin sweeping enlightened reforms of Denmark through Christian even as Caroline falls for the doctor. However, their secret affair proves a tragic mistake that their conservative enemies use to their advantage in a conflict that threatens to claim more than just the lovers as their victims.

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Plot Keywords:

king | queen | man in bath | dead man | passionate kiss | 

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Taglines:

Their love affair would divide a nation.

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content and some violent images

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Denmark Sweden Czech Republic

Language:

Danish English German French

Release Date:

29 March 2012 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

A Royal Affair

Filming Locations:

Prague, Czech Republic

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$38,212 (USA) (9 November 2012)

Gross:

$1,545,726 (USA) (26 April 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Zentropa Entertainments, DR TV, Trollhättan Film AB

Technical Specs

Runtime:

137 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Denmark's official submission for the Foreign Language Film category of the 85th Academy Awards.

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Goofs

Princess Caroline Matilda is addressed by her lady-in-waiting in England and by servants upon her arrival in Denmark as "Your Majesty". Her title before marrying Frederik, and thereby becoming Queen of Denmark, would have been "Highness", not "Majesty".

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Connections

Featured in Maltin on Movies: Trance (2013)

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Soundtracks

"Suite I in A major, Hwv 426: 4. Gigue (Harpsichord)"
Music by George Frideric Handel

User Reviews

More than a history lesson

You could dismiss this film as a Danish history lesson but it is more than that. It is a love story with an improbable background in a rather gloomy setting, the Danish Court of the late 18th century. Mad (or at least seriously disturbed) King Christian VII (Mikkel Folsgaard - superbe) marries 16 year old English princess Caroline (Alicia Vikander) who happens to be George III's sister). He prefers the company of his dog and mistress to her. It is not surprising that Caroline falls for Johann Struensee (Mads Mikkelsen) who becomes the king's personal physician on the strength of his knowledge of Shakespeare (especially Hamlet). The king is, as they say, easily led, and for a year or so Sturensee, despite being German, has a fine time as de facto ruler enacting liberal measures such as the abolition of serfdom and the repeal of censorship laws, not to mention free smallpox inoculations. But the forces of reaction led by the king's stepmother gather. It was surprising to learn that 18th century Denmark was such a backward society.

Mads Mikkelsen gives a nuanced performance – 'quiet intensity' in fact, and Alicia Vikander is equally intense. They are a serious couple imbued with the ideals of the 18th century Enlightenment but their passion is physical as well as intellectual. Unfortunately their ideals are a little advanced for Denmark of the 1770s despite support from writers such as Voltaire. The local book-burners led by Hoegh-Guldberg (David Dencik) are not swayed by argument of course.

The production is full of atmosphere. The castles are suitably gloomy and there's plenty of medieval squalor beyond the castle gate. Much of the action takes place in winter which adds to the chilly atmosphere. The aristocracy are suitably heartless and the peasants downtrodden. The king provides some zany (if not quite authentic) moments, appointing his Great Dane to his council and ordering Struensee to make Caroline a "fun queen".

This is quite a long movie at 140 minutes yet is enthralling from start to finish. Even though you can guess the ending you are swept along by the story and the performances. You can see why the audiences at Cannes loved it.