The King's Speech

[FelicityParpworth]

I saw a preview yesterday. It is excellent, just a wonderful film. Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush are superb in it, even Helena BC (who I have an irrational dislike of) was great. There are some lovely witty bits to counteract the more serious parts.
I can't recommend it enough. If you aren't moved by the end I would suggest that you are either a) made of stone or b) perhaps haven't understood and should get back creating tickers over at the other site

I'll be interested to hear some more reviews when others have been to see it.

Just back from this. Simply wonderful. Loved the little princesses.

Loved it. Colin Firth must have been waiting for this part for years; he was honing his stammer in A Month in the Country and Tumbledown in the 1980s.

My ten year-old would have liked to have seen it - will get it out for her on DVD when it's out.

The swearing is part of Bertie's therapy, and comical rather than aggressive. As DD says, 'I know which words I'm not allowed to say'.

No spontaneous applause where I saw it, but every time Ramona Marquez (Princess Margaret/Karen from Outnumbered) appeared on screen, there was an outbreak of muted giggling. Hope that doesn't follow her around for the rest of her career.

DH and I saw it on Saturday night and loved it!

Did anyone else blub when Bertie cried and said he couldn't be King [holds hand up sheepishly].

I read that the Quern Mum gave her approval to the film in the 1970s provided that it was not made during her lifetime - little did they know she'd live for another 30-odd years!

Some of the filming took place at Halton House, which is now an RAF base. DH is based there and said that some of his colleagues saw an advance screening in September 2010 by way of thanks for the disruption caused by filming.

"Quern Mum" = Queen Mum, obviously!

[forehead slap]

It was brilliant, cried regularly throughout. Beautifully acted by everyone and funny as well.

Great to see Elizabeth Bennett and "Mr Collins!" in it as well.

Lovely, lovely film.

Not to mention Sebastian Flyte as Stanley Baldwin.

It was a bit of a Pride & Prejudice reunion, more so if you count the Bonham-Carter connection!

Saw this with MrE last night, at a tightarse Tuesday viewing, so even more full of older types than usual.
An absolutely rapt audience, so involved, and, naturally. loving the Australian bits.

It was wonderful; CF well deserves an Oscar, though I can see he might not get it because of the Brit bias of the film's content.

A great evening for spot the British character actor.

I loved this film. I cannot recommend it highly enough. What others have said really, best film I have seen for a long time. I will probably drag DH along so I can go see it again. (went to see it with friends)

Agree with everyone else.
Great film.
Bawled my eyes out.
Can't wait for it to come out on DVD.

I've heard the Queen is planning to take it out next time she visits Blockbusters

I loved the film, my only criticism is that Guy Pearce looked far too young to be Colin Firths older brother!!!

Took DS1 (13) to see it we both agreed it was fab!

Saw it last weekend and loved it. Haven't read the whole thread yet, so apologies if I repeat anything said already -

The only things I didn't like were TS as Churchill - really OTT and silly;

GR looked too young and as if he was made of plastic.

The best thing was that I was almost certainly the youngest person in the cinema and that everybody was terribly polite and well behaved!

Took ds (12) yesterday and had a real treat. It was a bit Merchant Ivory-esque in casting and mood at times. Geoffrey Rush's accent was a bit dubious, Timothy Spall's Churchill was based on his later speeches I suspect and felt out of place, surprise of the piece was Guy Pierce but isn't he younger than CF. Colin Firth was wonderful as usual and carried the film! A great antithesis to the 30's of Upstairs Downstairs. Did feel it was rather spelt out at times , for the US audience.

Apparently CF's sister is a voice coach and he spent time with her to get the protrayal right.

Saw this last night. I am a HCB fan (well anything after her early corset ones) so enjoyed her brilliantly not doing much, just being a support.
CF's best bit was the look of fear in his eyes everytime just before he had to speak.

Favourite moment of the film were George VI and Queen Elizabeth at Lionel's house.

adored this film. laughed OUT LOUD (the woman in the seat in front turned round sharply with a frown I laughed so loud) when Lionel snatched the fag out of King's mouth, telling him he had a short memory - great comedy timing.

really couldn't fault this stunning film (rare for me). had to go in the loo afterwards and have a good cry bcs i hadn't finished when the lights went up in the cinema

Another vote here for this movie. Simply quality. Proves you don't need gratuitous sex and violence to make an astounding film. The story is moving and anyone with any sort of difficulty that they have had to overcome would identify. Also brings out what a heavy burden it can be to be (senior) royalty. Great humour too.

One interesting fact that seems to have been overlooked: the Kings Speech was financed by the UK Film Council, which has now been abolished by the Coalition Government.

BBC report

Oh I agree with so many of the posters - really enjoyed this relatively low budget movie. My husband is a boringly ranting Republican, and even he was blinking back a tear by the end.
I think a lot of the power was in the understated-ness (surely a real word??). Just realising that these people had such a sense a duty, and that they had gone thru one world war, and had to brace themselves for another...I felt very spoilt.