The King's Speech

Changing circumstances mean it isn't as easy as it was for me to get to see films these days, thus I had to wait until the latest British blockbuster Oscar winner came out on Sky Box Office until I could watch it -but on a Bank Holiday weekend with me reeling from sporting disappointments, it proved to have been well worth the wait.

I'm a sucker for historical dramas, and this was the historical drama to beat them all.  It's the moving story of King George VI’s personal struggle to overcome his debilitating stammer and the personal demons that went with it, bearing in mind his position in society, what was expected of him and the momentous world events of the time.  It is also the story of his personal relationship with his somewhat unorthodox Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue, and the latter's struggle to gain acceptance in the silver spoon privileged background of his profession.

It is very moving on many occasions, and never fails to bring a tear to the eye, especially when he finally delivers his speech to the nation on the outbreak of war. The best scene of all for me though is when, directly after he watches the film of his coronation, he sees film of Hitler giving a speech at a Nuremburg rally. Virtually no words are spoken, bit the king sees clearly for the first time that it is his utter duty to achieve his aim as the freedom of the world may well depend on it. The acting is superb throughout, but in this scene Colin Firth is simply incomparable.

I couldn't recommend this film more highly.  It has everything - historical drama, character development, brilliant acting, glitz and glamour, an excellent background of classical music, marvellous locations, great filming - and if nothing else you'll learn a unique, personalised account of the 1936 abdication crisis - see it at all costs!