A Company of Men 

Elizabeth feels disconnected from Philip. Eden copes with international pressure and ill health. An interview stirs up harrowing memories for Philip.

Director:

Philip Martin

Writers:

Peter Morgan (created by), Peter Morgan

Stars:

Claire Foy, Matt Smith, Victoria Hamilton

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Claire Foy	...	Queen Elizabeth II
Matt Smith	...	Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Victoria Hamilton	...	Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother
Vanessa Kirby	...	Princess Margaret
Jeremy Northam	...	Anthony Eden
Greg Wise	...	Lord Mountbatten
Will Keen	...	Michael Adeane
Daniel Ings	...	Mike Parker
Chloe Pirrie	...	Eileen Parker
Pip Torrens	...	Tommy Lascelles
Harry Hadden-Paton	...	Martin Charteris
Billy Jenkins	...	Prince Charles
Finn Elliot	...	Young Philip
Chris Gordon	...	Duke of Edinburgh's Valet
Ivanhoe Norona	...	Polynesian Islander

Storyline

Elizabeth feels disconnected from Philip. Eden copes with international pressure and ill health. An interview stirs up harrowing memories for Philip.

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 December 2017 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Belvoir Castle, Belvoir, Leicestershire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Left Bank Pictures, Sony Pictures Television Production UK

Technical Specs

Runtime:

54 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.00 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Anthony Eden is discussing his medication with his doctor, a pill bottle is clearly labeled as 'Pentobarbitone' yet in the ensuing description, states that each pill contains amphetamine. In reality, Pentobarbitone (Pentobarbital) is the literal opposite of amphetamines. Pentobarbital is a barbiturate (a sedative/hypnotic) which is a powerful central nervous system depressant which slows the activity of the brain and induces sleep as well as a powerful state of relaxation. Amphetamine, on the other hand, is a powerful stimulant which eliminates fatigue and keeps the user awake and alert.

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Quotes

Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: Just don't ever let my vanity get the better of me again.

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Connections

References Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

User Reviews

A compelling, multifaceted examination of Phillip's cavorting.

This episode is dedicated to the adventures of Phillip and the boys' club on their commonwealth tour. However, rather than focusing solely on Phillip's perspective, the episode examines its overall impact by looking at it through the lens of every story-line, depicting both the negative and positive aspects. We see the misogyny, racism, civic injustice, and scandal involved but also the valour, fun, and brotherhood. As in real life, we are shown the good and the bad, then forced to make the moral judgment ourselves.

At the centre of this contradiction is Phillip, who is undoubtedly the main character of the episode. There are moments where we find his behaviour reprehensible, and there are moments where we are made to sympathize with him. Nowhere is the latter more prevalent than the fantastic interview scene, which uses interwoven flashbacks incredibly effectively to illuminate his character. By the end of the episode, while we may not condone his behaviour, we can understand it and perhaps forgive it.

Phillip's friend, however, proves himself beyond forgiveness with his unabashed deviance. One of the episode's central plots is his wife's investigation into his adultery, which serves both as a glimpse into the effects on the victims left in the wake of the boys' club, and a big threat to the monarchy. This is where we get into the ugly side of their activities.

On the whole, this is another smoothly executed hour of The Crown, which takes a narrower focus than most and is able to dive deeper as a result.