The Madness of King George (1994)

When King George III (Sir Nigel Hawthorne) goes mad, his Lieutenants try to adjust the rules to run the country without his participation.

Director:

Nicholas Hytner

Writers:

Alan Bennett (play), Alan Bennett (screenplay)

Stars:

Nigel Hawthorne, Helen Mirren, Rupert Graves

Won 1 Oscar. Another 15 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rupert Graves	...	Greville
Helen Mirren	...	Queen Charlotte
Amanda Donohoe	...	Lady Pembroke
Charlotte Curley	...	Amelia
Peter Bride-Kirk	...	Royal Children
Eve Camden	...	Royal Child
Thomas Copeland	...	Royal Child
Joanna Hall	...	Royal Child
Cassandra Halliburton	...	Royal Child
Russell Martin	...	Royal Child
Natalie Palys	...	Royal Child
Rupert Everett	...	Prince of Wales
Julian Rhind-Tutt	...	Duke of York
David Leon	...	Footman
Martin Julier	...	Footman

Storyline

Aging King George III of England (Sir Nigel Hawthorne) is exhibiting signs of madness, a problem little understood in 1788. As the monarch alternates between bouts of confusion and near-violent outbursts of temper, his hapless doctors attempt the ineffectual cures of the day. Meanwhile, Queen Charlotte (Dame Helen Mirren) and Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger (Julian Wadham) attempt to prevent the King's political enemies, led by the Prince of Wales (Rupert Everett), from usurping the throne.

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Plot Keywords:

porphyria | king of england | restraint | self destructiveness | politics | 

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Taglines:

His Majesty was all powerful and all knowing. But he wasn't quite all there.

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements

Did You Know?

Trivia

Alan Bennett: The Member of Parliament who begins his speech "No-one, Mr. Speaker, entertains a higher regard for His Majesty than I do..." is the author of the original play and the movie script.

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Goofs

When Lady Pembroke first discusses Dr. Willis with Pitt, Pitt reaches out for Lady Pembroke's note twice.

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Quotes

Thurlow: The cork's too tight in the bottle, that's the trouble. He must be the first King of England not to have a mistress.
Pitt: Fifteen children seem to me to indicate a certain conscientiousness in that regard.
Thurlow: I'm talking of pleasure, not duty.

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Connections

Featured in The Madness of King George: Featurette (1994)

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Soundtracks

Zadok the Priest
(uncredited)
Music by George Frideric Handel (as G. F. Handel)

User Reviews

A darkly film, not quite your Three Musketeers "history" piece

I positively loved Hawthorne in this movie, thanks to him King's madness is quite palpable, emotional rather then clinical. Ian Holm charms as always - this time as a rather driven/bordering on sadism "doctor", whose elaborate system of punishment was impressed on King George by sadistic and yet so well meaning party of the King. Nice thing about this movie is the absense of the clear-cut villains - even the Prince ain't that bad. It's rather a story of one's power slipping away from everywhere but the very surface, a fable of the King in no more than the name, driven to the edge of misery by intrusive politicians and abusive doctors. As such it has it's depressing moments - don't expect a Hollywoodish romp of the Iron Mask or Musketeers.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 December 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

La folie du roi George

Filming Locations:

Wrotham Park, Barnet, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$65,897,768 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$65,226, 2 January 1995

Gross USA:

$15,238,689

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$15,238,689

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Samuel Goldwyn Company, Channel Four Films, Close Call Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS (8 channels) Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1