The catalog of blood feuds, forbidden love affairs, wars, abdications and endless scandals of the British monarchy has provided material for writers throughout the ages. From Shakespeare’s thinly disguised commentary on Elizabeth and James I respectively to Peter Morgan’s reimagining of the Royals as high-end Soap Opera in The Crown, audiences for these golden dramas have never waned.
And now, as Elizabeth II, and indeed millions of Britons, celebrate that she has become not only Britain’s longest-serving monarch, but also the third-longest-serving monarch in world history, we enjoy the opportunity to take a look at some of the best royalty-themed. films of the first century of cinema. In no particular order, here are the top 10 picks to watch over Jubilee weekend courtesy of MetFilm School course instructor Justin Trefgame.
Kristin Stewart brings her own brand of sparkle and unpredictability to this intense and poetic take on Princess Diana. Whether Diana really is like that or not is kind of missing the point. Pablo Larraín’s film is a very tight character study of a woman who crumbles under intense pressure and, as a result, plays out as much psychological horror as it does conventional drama.
photography studio
Given the scrutiny to which modern Royals are subjected, it is quite rare to find Elizabeth II at the center of a film narrative. Helen Mirren transcends herself as a queen in semi-exile after Diana’s death, facing a crossroads in her reign and, more immediately, a seductive stag that haunts her domain in the Scottish Highlands.
photography studio
Radical choice of director (Shekhar Kapur). Young actress ready for super-stardom (Cate Blanchet). Elizabeth’s rise told as The Godfather. A period film for all ages.
photography studio
Judi Dench cemented her reputation as one of the world’s most accomplished film actresses with this moving portrayal of a grieving Queen Victoria. But perhaps the film’s biggest surprise was Scottish comedian Billy Connolly’s unexpected and nuanced performance as a “commoner” who encouraged her to return to public life.
photography studio
Comments are closed.