The King's Speech (2010)

The story of King George VI of Britain, his impromptu ascension to the throne and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch become worthy of it.

Director:

Tom Hooper

Writer:

David Seidler (screenplay)

Stars:

Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Derek Jacobi

Top 250 #168 | Won 4 Oscars. Another 86 wins & 103 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Colin Firth	...	King George VI
Helena Bonham Carter	...	Queen Elizabeth
Derek Jacobi	...	Archbishop Cosmo Lang
Robert Portal	...	Equerry
Richard Dixon	...	Private Secretary
Paul Trussell	...	Chauffeur
Adrian Scarborough	...	BBC Radio Announcer
Andrew Havill	...	Robert Wood
Charles Armstrong	...	BBC Technician
Roger Hammond	...	Dr. Blandine Bentham
Geoffrey Rush	...	Lionel Logue
Calum Gittins	...	Laurie Logue
Jennifer Ehle	...	Myrtle Logue
Dominic Applewhite	...	Valentine Logue
Ben Wimsett	...	Anthony Logue

Storyline

Tells the story of the man who became King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II. After his brother abdicates, George ('Bertie') reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a dreaded stammer and considered unfit to be king, Bertie engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue. Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country through war.

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Plot Keywords:

king | speech | king george vi | speech therapist | britain | 

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Taglines:

When his nation needed a leader, when the people needed a voice, an ordinary man would help him find the courage.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [fr]

Country:

UK USA Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 December 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

El discurso del rey

Filming Locations:

Draper's Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, Broadgate, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£3,523,102 (UK) (7 January 2011)

Gross:

$138,795,342 (USA) (10 June 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Weinstein Company, The, UK Film Council, Momentum Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

EMI recording engineer Peter Cobbin pointed out that the original royal microphones, which were used for speeches such as those depicted in the film, had been held in the EMI archives for over 70 years. The EMI Archive Trust granted permission for five of these to be loaned to Abbey Road Studios, of which three were able to be restored to good working condition and used for recording the film's orchestral score. The microphones, designed for HM George V, HM George VI, HM Queen Mary, and HM Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother), were state-of-the-art in the 1930s (and excellent even compared to much of today's equipment), gilt with silver and chrome details bearing royal coats of arms and other individual insignia. Composer Alexandre Desplat and director Tom Hooper were both pleased with the result, and felt that the slight coloring of the sound caused by the older equipment gave the recordings an authentic "patina" of the time period.

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Goofs

When King George VI is giving his speech at 6pm, one clock says 7:20pm.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Title Card: 1925 / King George V reigns over a quarter of the world's people. He asks his second son, the Duke of York, to give the final closing speech at the Empire Exhibition in Wembley, London.

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Crazy Credits

In the end credit roll, Philip Clements is listed twice as Assistant Sound Editor.

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Connections

Referenced in Stiller & Meara: The Oscars (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Shout For Happiness"
Written by Jack Hart and Tom Blight
Performed by Al Bowlly and the New Mayfair Dance Orchestra
Published by Campbell Connelly & Co Ltd.
Master courtesy of Post Perfect Vintage Music, UK
Playing in the background at Balmoral Castle

User Reviews

A wonderful movie!

No spoilers here. I would like to let everyone know that this is an excellent film. I enjoyed it this week at the Mill Valley Film Festival in Marin County, CA. Given the outstanding cast and director, and my fascination with historical figures, I had high hopes for this film, though mixed with a certain resignation that I might be disappointed. There was no way I could have imagined how wonderful "The King's Speech" would be. There was abundant humor without the film ever becoming a comedy, drama without dreariness, and many deeply moving moments. I can't praise this film enough. It boosted my appreciation of the human capacity to become our best selves, and rise to meet even the most daunting challenges.