I was thrilled that the t.v. channel Ovation recently started showing bios and made-for-tv-movies of the Royals! Princess Diana is still an inspiration to me and it was wonderful to watch shows about her famous style and generous heart. Days later I watched “Wallis & Edward” and “Bertie & Elizabeth”. This reminded me that I still had not seen “The King’s Speech”.
Now this is a movie that lives up to its hype! For the most part, the movie was factually based. Of course there is a lot that is pure Hollywood fiction. The timeline is off, the relationship between Bertie and Churchill is wrong, and in general the stories are glossed over. Certain liberties were definitely taken with all the characters. There has not been much written about Lionel Logue, Bertie’s therapist, so much of those scenes are dramatized. Colin Firth must have studied hard to get the King’s “speech voice” just right. Must not be too easy to talk with a forced stutter, either! I am extremely happy that this movie kept a positive slant towards King George and Queen Elizabeth.
To me, the issue of the movie is overcoming fear – Bertie’s fear of his family and Royal life. My favorite scene comes near the beginning. Without divulging the details, Bertie hears for himself how fluently he can speak and it motivates him to work through his paralyzing stutter. Over time with Mr. Logue, his speech therapist, Bertie reveals his private life growing up as a child. The viewer can see the reason for his stuttering and it is clear to us that he needs more than just physical therapy. It of course takes a while for Bertie to understand!
Fear for everyone is debilitating. Our fears can manifest in our bodies and minds as sickness or disease. Bertie feared his father, King Edward V. He was the favored child but was, most likely in today’s terms, emotionally abused. Thus the stuttering problem. There is a scene after which King Edward V gives a Christmas radio greeting, he has a talk with Bertie about the changes the Monarchy had undertook which he had no say in. It was difficult for him to adjust to modern life after the turn of the century. His arguments held merit. Imagine the toll it took on him – they did not know what we know now about emotions, feelings, and the actions we take because of them. And imagine what Bertie went through because his father did not know how to “deal”. This is why we must not judge parts of history too harshly. I think that is my personal endeavor!
As a constitutional monarch, the King is limited to non-partisan functions. Though the ultimate executive authority over the government of the United Kingdom is still by and through the monarch's royal prerogative, these powers may only be used according to laws enacted in Parliament, and, in practice, within the constraints of convention and precedent (via wikipedia). As King, Bertie started to implement his own changes. Changes that the Church did not agree with. The Church still led an all-consuming role in the Monarchy. One that I never agreed with because it takes away the free will that God instilled in us. But I digress. Bertie’s new found confidence allowed him to stand up for himself. He also advised very well for his country.
The movie takes a long look at his brother’s relationship with a married woman and his subsequent abdication of the throne. Bertie’s fear of his new role brings back all his old demons. With Mr. Logue’s help, he overcomes his past and becomes the perfect King that Britain so desperately needed during WWII. Imagine if brother David stayed King. He had befriended Hitler in the early 30’s. What would have happened to his country and the world?
If you would like to watch a movie with purpose, try “The King’s Speech”. There is no sex (except the issue with David and Wallis), violence (a tad bit of Britain bombing), or real language. There is a part when Bertie says a few choice words during a session, but it is actually quite funny. I took no offense! Take no stock in the Hollywood version of history, but do find the message of the story. I hope y’all will be moved like I was.
