Remarkable speeches came out of World War II. It was a time of gifted orators. Speakers who could capture the emotions of a people, whether good or bad. Hitler. Stalin. Theirs were the cadence and rhythm and fiery words that brought forth history’s most dastardly atrocities. Churchill and Roosevelt. Contemporaries that we, on both sides of pond, still quote. Their words and their voices the inspiration of goodness and the fortitude they called forth.
In between them all was the man who did not want to be king. A man who rose to the position and its responsibilities with integrity. A man who did what was needed. A man whose speech was flawed. That man was King George VI. Bertie to his family. Once third in line to ascend the throne, he became King of England at the abdication of the throne by his brother, King Edward VIII, who reigned less than a year after becoming king. The brother whose scandalous love of a twice divorced woman, Wallis Simpson, we are more familiar with. It was Edward’s younger brother, Bertie, who carried his country through the worst of times, through the Blitz and the fear, and the ravages of war.
I found myself, mid-afternoon, with several hours to spare. Not enough time to go home and then turn around and go back to Elmhurst, I went to the York Theater to see a movie instead. It is funny how things sometimes work out “just so”. This was a “just so” moment.
I saw “The King’s Speech”.
It is a beautifully executed movie. A story of one man’s torment with a speech. A man who would become king.
Everything you have heard about Colin Firth’s portrayal of King George VI and his debilitating stammer, and everything you have heard about Geoffrey Rush’s portrayal of Lionel Logue, the King’s unlikely speech therapist, is true. It is a brilliant picture and they each give remarkable performances, if often painful ones as well. I found myself breathing heavily and wanting to push the words forth from Firth’s mouth as he stammered. His face, his eyes, the pain they evoked in his faltered speech was palpable. Rush’s determination and his creativity in his unorthodox treatments are sometimes humorous, always forthright in their execution. He made me care.
The two are paired up with the wonderful performance of Helena Bonham Carter as Elizabeth, who would become the beloved Queen Mother of Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret. I hope the Queen sees the greatness of her father and her mother if she should see the movie. If it were my mum and dad, I think I would find it painful to watch.
In the end, it is the story of the King’s actual speech at the outset of the second World War and the strength and fortitude he offered to his people – a people much admired by this American.
Go see it. Go see “The King’s Speech” and tell me what you think.
King George VI
Oh how in sinc we are Penny!! The moon yesterday and, I haven’t written about it but I went to see The King’s Speech this very day! I agree absolutely with you. It was wonderful
and very moving. i walked to the cinema and back and it was very warm.. so I wrote about summer instead.
Isn’t that fun, Joan. This whole, big, planet, revolving, and we seeing the same movie, and, of course, the same moon. In sinc, indeed. I would see this again.
How wonderful to walk home in the warmth of summer and a good walk with which to contemplate what you just viewed.
Oh Penny, what amazing synchronicity here too! I have just seen The King’s Speech. I went to a preview on Wednesday night, a special event to raise money for the START programme that helps stutterers. I was so moved by it, and your write-up brings it all back again. Thank you for writing about it so vividly and beautifully. Now I want to read the book.
I was just saying to Joan about how we are on both sides of the world, seeing the same things. START sounds like a wonderful program, Juliet, and such a fitting movie for a benefit. I was moved, as well, surprised by my own tears at the end. I wasn’t aware of a book, googled it, of course, and will have to see about reading it at some point. Thank you.
Lovely review. Hoping to see it soon, *dying* to see it actually but our cinema’s times are awkward somehow. Hopefully, next week while we’re away.
Thank you, Cath. I do hope you get to see it next week. I lucked out yesterday with a small window of opportunity. I wouldn’t mind seeing it again.
Great review. I would love to see this one. We don’t get to many movies, but I would like to see this one.
Thank you, Janet. It was very moving. We have many shows around here, but, get to few, it seems. Yesterday’s opportunity was one I decided not to pass up and I’m so glad I didn’t. Stay warm this frigid day.
It is wonderful how fate chooses those who would prefer to stay in the shadows. King George VI held us up when there was very little else to keep us going. Elizabeth, his daughter, has become such a wonderful queen, too, full of integrity and resilient beyond words.
I shall get to see it as soon as I can, Penny! Thanks!
Well put, Kate. I thank you.
There is much admiration for Queen Elizabeth here, but, not much really known about her father in my generation, commonly know as the “baby boomers”. Such a well crafted movie spurs us on to learn more. Of course, I’ve heard the speech played, but, never realized the anguish realized in getting to that point.
Do go see it when you can.
Excellent and heartfelt review, Penny. I loved this too – it made me feel very emotional and Colin Firth was superb. I have mixed feelings about the monarchy, as I do about any system that gives privilege based on birth, but I cannot deny that King George and Queen Elizabeth rose to a challenge both of them dreaded with great integrity and grace and I am glad they were the figureheads of my fine country during the most testing time it has yet faced. I am sure the current Queen Elizabeth is rightly proud of her parents, and in turn, I am sure they would be proud of her for the way she has tirelessly served her country all of her adult life, without a word of complaint. I am sure I could not have done the same.
Thank you, Rachel. I was rather emotional as well, tearing up at the end. Colin Firth was wonderful and is justifiably up for several awards for his performance. It must have been a hard movie to act in. I would see it again.
I do as well. I just love all the pomp and pageantry of it all, however. I’m apt to cry at a parade. It seems the royal family has given up some of their assets, or are now paying taxes, and the monarchy has been somewhat diluted over the recent years. Still, King George and his family bravely weathered the winds of war (I think that’s the name of a book) and I’m sure gave courage to many.
Guess you did like it, and so did a few other people and now the rest of us want to see it. See what you started! Good review.
I certainly did, Sharon. Thank you. The acting is superb and the story compelling. Go see it.
I saw the movie at the York Theater on Saturday afternoon and loved it! The performances are phenomenal and the set and costumes really bring the viewer to that time and place. Years ago, probably over 20, I read a biography of the Queen Mother and Helena Bonham Carter played her just as I would imagine her to be. Colin Firth’s performance was spectacular, from the emotion to the actual mechanics of his speech impediment and especially the stammer combined with the voice training exercises! And Geoffry Rush gave an excellent performance as the speech therapist, a much more subtle role. I loved it. Any chance we were at the theater at the same time? I was there on Saturday at 4pm – the theater was packed.
Wasn’t it superb? I agree with you totally, Janet, and how interesting your assessment is of Helena Bonham Carter. I was captivated by her performance and Colin Firth was truly spectacular. His acting was so well done that some of the scenes were almost painful to watch. I forgot I was watching an actor. I left wanting to learn more about King George VI and I did find the a recording of the actual speech. It is amazing how well Firth executed it. Wasn’t Geoffrey Rush good. I loved the scene when his wife walks in on Elizabeth, now queen, sipping tea in her dining room. Do you recall the name of the biography about the Queen Mother? (why am I asking? my book pile and lists are out of control.)
I saw it last Wednesday, quite an unplanned theater trip. Some of the best things in life happen when we are spontaneous, but, no, we weren’t there at the same time, which is a pity. We could have stopped for a coffee and chatted about it.