"The Queen": a film about Elizabeth II and the death of Diana.

[BeatrixFan]

With all due respect, thats quite incorrect redfox6. The majority of British people went to pieces and showed how an increasingly secular society vested their emotions in a celebrity. They didn't blame Charles for anything - she died in a car crash. It was an accident and she died. You can make your excuses but at the time of her death, Diana's public image was slipping. She was a problem to everyone but the gossip columns. The Queen wasn't out of touch with her subjects. The atrocious display of hysteria that was displayed was not the sort of display her subjects puts on. She refused to change the way Royal deaths have been handled since for generations and certainly not for a woman who had publicly humiliated her family and personally insulted her. You're making sweeping statements about our Royal Family redfox6, and it's insulting.

[redfox6]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

With all due respect, thats quite incorrect redfox6. The majority of British people went to pieces and showed how an increasingly secular society vested their emotions in a celebrity. They didn't blame Charles for anything - she died in a car crash. It was an accident and she died. You can make your excuses but at the time of her death, Diana's public image was slipping. She was a problem to everyone but the gossip columns. The Queen wasn't out of touch with her subjects. The atrocious display of hysteria that was displayed was not the sort of display her subjects puts on. She refused to change the way Royal deaths have been handled since for generations and certainly not for a woman who had publicly humiliated her family and personally insulted her. You're making sweeping statements about our Royal Family redfox6, and it's insulting.

I, personally, appologize to you, as I wouldn't wish to hurt your feeling. I, too, feel that the Princess was trying very hard to find something I think had eluded her. More's the pity. Mr. Fayed was hardly good company, but she was obviously, still idolized by her public, right or wrong. Charles wasn't responsible for her death directly. Heavens, no. I don't buy that tale. But he was a philanderer, if anyone uses that word any more and before that a cheat, as he slept with the wife of his friend. Hardly credentials to look up to. A lot of the Princess' woes stemmed from his lack of caring. I think, both Charles and Diana humiliated the family. Let's face it, they both made a mess. The Queen is a good woman. She has very rigid ideas,as those were the traditional ways things were handled. You were correct. But things and times change. Events change things, too. It is your opinion that the public acted atrociously. Perhaps, they reacted to the death, as they would have to someone in their family, because of the constant exposure to this person. They also felt, I am sure, by and large, that she was wronged. She was young, beautiful and vunerable. The vast majority that publicly mourned reacted to that. It is not "a mass nervous breakdown" or acting atrociously, it is emotionally venting feelings that they could not otherwise express.

[lord_rankin]

I have read a couple articles today regarding Stephen Frears new movie The Queen, about the Royal Family and the days after Diana was killed. The photos of Helen Mirren who plays QEII are eerily similar to her Majesty. If anyone has been able to see it let me know how it is It won't be released in the States until September so I'll have to wait

[hayz64]

Originally Posted by lord_rankin

I have read a couple articles today regarding Stephen Frears new movie The Queen, about the Royal Family and the days after Diana was killed. The photos of Helen Mirren who plays QEII are eerily similar to her Majesty. If anyone has been able to see it let me know how it is It won't be released in the States until September so I'll have to wait

It isn't released here until the 15th september anyway i don't think. I don't think you will have to wait much longer to see it than we do.

[*SofiaM*]

Has Helen Mirren played The Queen before? I'm sure she has..

[Toledo]

The Movie 'The Queen' received national attention yesterday in the USA because it was shown as an article in the USA Today newspaper, and not only that, the cover of the Newpaper had a picture of Dame Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II:
Mirren mirrors the queen and here is the USA Today photo gallery on Mirren in costume compared to the real Queen Elizabeth II


these are some recent mentions in other news:
Dame Helen Mirren has slammed criticisms a bedroom scene in her controversial new movie is a "cheap shot" at British monarch Queen Elizabeth II
2006-08-09 14:21:28 - PR Inside News

Blair shown calling Charles a creep in new Diana film
By BAZ BAMIGBOYE, CHIEF SHOWBIZ WRITER 21:41pm 9th August 2006

Mirren, Bening taking star turns on the big and little screens
Liz Smith
Originally published July 31, 2006

[MihoshiMarie]

The trailer has been posted on Apple.com:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/thequeen/

You can even watch it in high definition. It looks really good.

[Incas]

My web browser was shut down when I tried to open the link.

[Madame Royale]

I think its important to remember that this film isn't so much about Diana, as it is about the Queen. Yes, the film is set around the tragic circumstances of 1997 but it is, primarily focussed on the sovereign and the circumsatnces of the situation that Elizabeth II as Monarch, mother and grandmother had to face. The highest lady in the land who's upbringing was to remain 'utterly oyster' (QM) in most (if not all) aspects of expression.

It was no doubt the most challenging experience she had faced, after the death of her father and I really felt for her very deeply. I also think that it was one of the biggest learning curves Elizabeth has ever had to endure and it is horrible that it had to come at the price of such a treasured life.

Dame Helen only used a wig for her role so the likeness cant be all that similar and her voice was her own (no trainning to sound like the Queen - I think?).

Apprently her demeanour was very much Elizabeth, as would be expected.

[norwegianne]

I have to admit, I was sceptical about this film - but after watching the trailer, I've changed my mind. It looks interesting. Of course it is just speculating as to the dialogue and whatnot in the film, but it looks like a film I'd like to watch. Now, here's to hoping the cinemas in Copenhagen will see it as a movie of interest, instead of having it go straight to DVD.

[WindsorIII]

I wonder what Queen Elizabeth will think of this movie about her and her family set to be released in theaters in Canada in 6 weeks. It sounds like a good cast in the movie.

"It was the most intimidating role I have ever played," she says of her portrayal of Elizabeth II in The Queen, a film that depicts the British royal family in crisis following the death of Princess Diana.

The Queen gives a dramatic glimpse into what happens in the corridors of power when tragedy strikes and shows how the tradition-bound world of the Royal Family is abruptly brought into conflict with the country's brand-new, image-conscious Prime Minister Tony Blair, played by Michael Sheen.



The movie is slated to open in Toronto theatres Oct. 13.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...l=969483191630

[WindsorIII]

Film suggests Queen was baffled by grief over Diana

Sat Sep 2, 2006 9:04am ET

http://today.reuters.com/news/articl...E-QUEEN-DC.XML

[BeatrixFan]

I'm sure Dame Helen is going to give us another magical performance. She is one of Britain's best actresses and she's a Royalist too. When Jonathon Ross criticised the Queen on his show and Helen was a guest, she pretty much launched an attack on Ross saying that he was totally wrong and defended the Queen. I'm 100% certain that Mirren wouldn't have had anything to do with the film if it was anti-Queen.

[WindsorIII]

I agree, I am sure it is not anti-queen, but it will reveal the thought/emotional process she went through when dealing with the death of Diana and the reality of how much people around the world loved her. To me that will be most interesting.

The movie has an incredible cast. I can't wait until it is released.

[BeatrixFan]

Well, from what I hear, it's more about the Windsors vs the Blairs which is a very hot topic in Britain.

[WindsorIII]

That makes me want to see it even more

[BeatrixFan]

Me too. I hear that Mirren and Sheen do a wonderful job and that the Queen puts Blair in his place more than once.

[selrahc4]

Originally Posted by WindsorIII

it will reveal the thought/emotional process she went through when dealing with the death of Diana and the reality of how much people around the world loved her

Actually, it will reveal what the scriptwriters are guessing were her thoughts and emotions.

[WindsorIII]

The movie made quite a hit at the screenings in Venice.

CINEMA, VENICE: GREAT SUCCESS FOR 'THE QUEEN'
(AGI) – Venice, 2 September – The film "The Queen" by Stephen Frears has been so far the one that received the strongest and most generous applause at the Venice Film Festival. The two screenings for the press were an absolute success, followed by a big round of applause.

http://www.agi.it/english/news.pl?do...-eng.oggitalia

[Toledo]

Queen 'baffled by grief over Diana'
By Mike Collett-White in Venice
September 02, 2006 08:14pm

some quotes taken from the above article:

...QUEEN Elizabeth was unable to comprehend the public's grief at Princess Diana's death in 1997 but was finally convinced to cast aside royal protocol by Prime Minister Tony Blair, a new film shows.
...Actor Helen Mirren, who has just won an Emmy for her title role in the mini-series Elizabeth I, takes on the unusual task of portraying a living monarch in the film, which also explores newly-elected Blair's role in the crisis..
..Michael Sheen reprises the part of Blair which he also played in the television drama The Deal. ...

Originally Posted by Lady Marmalade

I was just trying to be polite by answering Toledo's question. I know what this thread is about. I just doing an act of kindness by helping another poster out.
I apologize to all for that.

No need to apologize for anything, Lady Marmalade. And thanks for helping out with the information related to both the film and the actors that are in it. Most of the buzz we heard over here is not just about the film The Queen and the issue on it but on the lead actress herself, Dame Helen Mirren, who just won an Emmy for best actress in the miniseries Elizabeth (is also won best actor, best director and best series/ or TV movie categories). So, everyone is counting the movie The Queen will also crown Helen Mirren with an Oscar next spring.
ps. Speaking of Spring, thanks for the hint on Helen Mirren's version of Tenesse Williams' play The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone,I did go out and got the movie! Thanks
A cousin of mine also pointed out to me recently Helen Mirren was none other than the young actress we saw as kids in a movie called Excalibur, playing the evil Morgana, or Morgan Le Fey as she is known in English speaking countries. If she wins the oscar for The Queen someone should make a DVD Box Edition of her great performances about members of the Royal House.