Posted on 01/17/2011 6:51:20 AM PST by Dr. Scarpetta
You will love “The King’s Speech,” a new movie about Great Britain in the '30s, a time of hesitation and then greatness, when the country reluctantly faced up to the challenge of Hitler and Nazism, two years before the United States similarly faced up.
As with many great films, “Speech” is a personal movie inside a historical movie.
The “personal” movie is the story of a character struggling to overcome a disability.
In “Speech,” the drama is the true story of the future King George VI, who had suffered from a severe stammer all his life.
The story begins in 1925, when Prince Albert (he didn’t take on the name “George” until he assumed the throne in 1936), attempts to give a brief speech at Wembley Stadium outside of London.
It’s a painful scene to watch, as the prince struggles to get his words out, as tens of thousands look on--and then look away from the pitiful spectacle.
After that embarrassment, he resolves never again to make a fool of himself in public.
Yet by the mid-30s, George V is dying, and it becomes obvious that the older brother is unqualified to be king.
Indeed, the stakes are now high: George V observes that Adolf Hitler seeks to control one half of Europe, and Josef Stalin seeks to control the other half. So what will England do?
The new medium of radio made it possible for a single leader to communicate across the planet. Hitler was doing it, with his message of hateful propaganda, and so his opponents had to master the radio waves.
Realizing that history would summon him to duty, like it or not, our prince--played with Oscar-grabbing understatement and poignancy by Colin Firth--resolves to improve his speech, seeking out the best speech therapists in London.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I agree, but Hollywood seems to also love 'Social Network.' (about Facebook)
I will puke if The Social Network wins.
At the end, the credits imply that Lionel Logue helped him with every speech.
What’s weird is that Helena Bonham Carter is in a non-Tim Burton movie.
I know. I haven't seen that one.
Last night Social Network won a lot of awards at the Golden Globes. I'm hoping they'll be sensible and vote for The King's Speech.
I liked her in the King's Speech. The King's wife must have been a wonderful woman if she was anything like the way she was portrayed in The King's Speech.
OMG!! Wow! Jennifer Ehle! She was so great at Elizabeth Bennett! OK, it’s a done deal - I have to see this movie! lol!
A WONDERFUL movie that I hope takes the Oscar for Firth and Rush. THey are excellent...truly gifted actors in a vehicle that is moving and inspiring. Reminds me of Chariots of Fire...an historical story that uplifts rather than degrades!
Ping
When do you think the kingdoms were united?
Ping
This said, I can't resist a comment on Pinkerton's observation about a leader recognizing his duty and obligation to work on overcoming his own shortcomings:
Realizing that history would summon him to duty, like it or not, our prince--played with Oscar-grabbing understatement and poignancy by Colin Firth--resolves to improve his speech, seeking out the best speech therapists in London.
It is ironic that viewed through the lens of history, most people here will rightfully consider the King's willingness to humble himself and acknowledge he needed help to improve a skill set necessary for him to do his job effectively as a noble and laudable thing to do.
However, whenever I and others suggested that President Bush would have benefited from doing something similar, we were roundly castigated... /g
I totally agree! I grew up going to the movies, and today I'm very choosy about the ones I see. There aren't too many good ones being made. This one, however, is outstanding.
I’ve got to see this.
You are so right!!
Yes you do...:)
The implication that the King was in a race to learn to speak well enough to guide his country through WWII is a dramatization, a taking of license with the facts.
My comments are not an attack on the movie as a movie (I have heard nothing but praise of it as a movie), it is just to point out that the movie is not completely true to the historical record. Sometimes movie makers move facts around a bit, like they were furniture, to improve the story they are telling.
I agree. Saw The King's Speech a couple of weeks ago - it is excellent. Best movie we've seen in many years!
Can someone tell me why The King's Speech lost so many Golden Globes last night (including Best Picture) to The Social Network? (I assume it has something to do with the uber-liberal Foreign Press)
I recommend The King’s Speech to you. Let me know what you think after you’ve seen the movie.
The Social Network has made a ton of money, but I haven't seen it.
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