A Royal Affair (2012)

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 21 wins & 36 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
Jacob Lohmann	...	Juliane's Officer (as Jakob Ulrik Lohmann)
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:

infidelity | insanity | denmark | enlightenment | sex in public | 

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Taglines:

Their love affair would divide a nation.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content and some violent images

Did You Know?

Trivia

The picture was made and released about thirteen years after the novel "Livläkarens besök" (aka "The Royal Physician's Visit" (USA) and aka "The Visit of the Royal Physician") by Per Olov Enquist had been first published in 1999. The film is not directly based on nor credited to this book but covers the same subject matter and historical events.

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Goofs

During the king's first meeting with the doctor the king says he likes "hookers with big breasts". The word hooker applied to prostitutes was not used until a century later.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Caroline Mathilde: [writing a letter] I'm trying to remember him. Johann. I have to tell you about him. About us. Why we did the things we did.
Caroline Mathilde: My beloved children, you do not know me, but I am your mother. Perhaps you have never forgiven me. Perhaps you hate me. I hope not. I now know that I will never see you again, so I am writing to tell you the truth, before it's too late.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Paul Giamatti/Alicia Vikander/Robin Thicke (2015)

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Soundtracks

Harpsichord Concerto No. 1, in C Major: II. Andante
Music by Johan-Gottfried Wilhelm Palschau (as J.G.W. Palschau)
(P) Dacapo Records

User Reviews

Not a trivial costume drama... Well directed and played

Within the last decades, Denmark has become the leading film country around the Baltic Sea, several films have been praised in major festivals around the globe. En kongelig affære is a pleasant supplement to the succession. Based on real events and persons, the film focuses on broader issues than a simple love between 2 powerful persons. Despite some not-so-good characteristic features of the doctor Struensee, his appearance in the Danish royal and executive circles changed the country thoroughly. And today, Denmark is one of the most progressive countries in the whole world.

The cast is evenly strong - not the leading roles only, but supporting performances as well. Mads Mikkelsen is great as usual, irrespective of the role, but the biggest surprise to me was Mikkel Følsgaard (as Christian VII) - I had never heard about him before; as he managed to win the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the Berlin Film Festival, I am sure he will be used often both in Denmark and internationally.

Well, the total length could have been less, 2 hour 15 minutes included some protracted scenes. Nevertheless, the film is recommended to all those fond of historical palace dramas.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Facebook

Country:

Denmark Sweden Czech Republic Germany

Language:

Danish English German French

Release Date:

29 March 2012 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

A Royal Affair

Filming Locations:

Hradcany Square, Hradcany, Prague, Czech Republic

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$38,212, 11 November 2012

Gross USA:

$1,546,761

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,758,997

Company Credits

Production Co:

Zentropa Entertainments, Danmarks Radio (DR), Trollhättan Film AB

Technical Specs

Runtime:

137 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1