The Madness of King George (1994)

When King George III 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 & 18 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 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 and Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger attempt to prevent the king's political enemies, led by the Prince of Wales, 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

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

Gross USA:

$15,238,994

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sir Nigel Hawthorne was sixty-five at the time of filming. King George III was only fifty at the time of his first bout of insanity.

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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

George III: What of the colonies, Mr. Pitt?
Pitt: America is now a nation, sir.
George III: Is it? Well. We must try and get used to it. I have known stranger things. I once saw a sheep with five legs...

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Connections

Referenced in House: The Socratic Method (2004)

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Soundtracks

Water Music
(uncredited)
Music by George Frideric Handel
Heard at the concert the king attends

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.