The King's Speech

The King's Speech is a 2010 film directed by Tom Hooper and written by David Seidler on King George VI's quest to overcome his stammer with the help of an Australian speech therapist by the name of Lionel Logue.

The King's Speech

The King's Speech won 'Best Picture' at the 83rd Academy Awards, their most prestigious award.

In total, The King's Speech received 75 awards out of a total of 214 nominations. 

Colin Firth "Winner of the Academy Award for 'Best Actor'" as King George VI of Great Britain

Geoffrey Rush "Winner of the BAFTA Award for 'Best Actor in a Supporting Role'" as Lionel Logue

Helena Bonham Carter "Winner of the BAFTA Award for 'Best Actress in a Supporting Role'" as Queen Elizabeth

The movie begins in 1925 with the Duke of York, Prince Albert, presenting, with a heavy stammer, the closing speech at the Empire Exhibition at Wembley, London. He seeks professional help in order to cure him of his stammer but all is for naught, leaving Bertie  infuriated by their obvious failure, screaming that he will no longer accept any form of treatment. 

Prince Albert's wife, Elizabeth, still hopeful, plays her last hand when she seeks the help of the radical speech therapist, Lionel Logue. Albert agrees to see 'Dr. Logue' but is unhinged by the man's lack of formality and his  insistence on the Prince calling him by his Christian name, Lionel, and by referring to the Duke of York by his family nickname of 'Bertie'. In order to convince Prince Albert to follow through with his unorthodox procedures, Lionel bets the man a shilling that he can read perfectly at that very moment. When Albert's first try of reading the famous Hamlet soliloquy 'To Be or Not to Be'  falls through, Bertie is certain that he's a hopeless case, but Mr. Logue thinks otherwise. Logue says he will record Bertie's reading on a gramophone record and requests that Bertie try once again to read aloud but this time with loud music blaring in his ears. Believing that he had stammered through the entire reading, Albert leaves - with the gift of the recording - in a rage, determined not to come back.

Christmastide 1936, King George V, aged Father of Prince Albert, is delivering his annual Christmas address, stressing to his son the importance of broadcasting to the modern monarchy, where the populace is now in control. And the reason that George is so concerned about preening his second son for this daunting task, is due to his eldest son's, Prince Edward "David" of Wales, fixation with the twice married (both husbands still living), Wallis Simpson saying that David will be the complete ruin of Great Britain and the - recently renamed - House of Windsor. Bertie reluctantly agrees to try his hand at the address but same as always, he falls short, much to the disappointment of his Father. In despair, Albert plays the recording of himself reading Hamlet and surprisingly not once does he stutter. Prince Albert returns to Logue and the two begin working on the pure "mechanical" reasons behind his stammer, doing tongue exercises, strengthening his diaphragm, etc. all with positive results.    

In 1936, George V dies, causing a distraught Bertie to come to Lionel for emotional advice and support. In this session, Lionel discovers the physiological roots behind Bertie's affliction: Berte's domineering Father (George V reportedly saying 'I was afraid of my Father and my children will damn well be afraid of me') who encouraged his other children to pick on the second son ('B-B-B-B-Bertie' the called him), and repressed left handedness, his locked knees and the agonizing treatment, his first nanny who favored David more than him and treated him most cruelly (pinching him, not feeding him, etc.) and his younger brother, Prince John.  These revelations help push the men to become friends.

The newly crowned Edward VIII, David is now more determined than ever to marry Mrs. Simpson and now with his Father gone, no one is there to stop him. When Bertie confronts his elder brother about the growing problem of Wallis, he is immediately shot down by David who counters by picking on Bertie's stammer (even though it has grown less prevalent through his time with Lionel Logue) and calling him by that awful nickname just as he did when they were children. This demonstration by Edward, reverts Albert back to his stammering old self. He checks in with Lionel to discuss the events ('The second son overthrowing the eldest son, why it's p-p-p-p-positively medieval')  as the conversation continues Logue presents the idea to the Prince in denial that he may be King. The man's word infuriate the Duke of York and after several insults to the man, he declares that the sessions between him and his "Doctor" are over.

Despite the Bertie's best efforts to, Edward VIII officially abdicates on December 11, 1936 and Prince Albert, Duke of York becomes King George VI (A named chosen by Winston Churchill, seeing as Albert was too 'Germanic'). With a myriad of new tasks and responsibilities and much, much, MUCH more public speaking/broadcasting, the new King (with the persuasion of the new Queen) visits Lionel, in the latter's home, and apologizes for their last encounter. When the King requests that "Doctor Logue" be seated in the King's box ( where he would be in close contact with other members of the king's family ), the Archbishop of Canterbury conducts an investigation on "Dr. Logue's" qualifications. When Bertie confronts Lionel about his lack of credentials ('True, you never called yourself Doctor, I did'), Logue explains that his origin as a "speech therapist" working with shell-shocked soldiers from the great war. Albert, still rather unsure of himself, realizes his full potential when he chastises Logue's disrespect for the monarchy (Lionel found it necessary to seat himself on St. Edward's Chair, 'The chair that every King and Queen...' sits for their coronation). The coronation was a success.

In September 1939, Great Britain declares war on Germany, and George VI is set to broadcast an address to the people of Great Britain and the Empire; he summons Logue to his side immediately. George delivers the perfect speech, with Logue beside him every step of the way, to millions of his citizens.  Afterwards, when the King and his family steps out onto the balcony, they are welcomed by adoring crowds.

"King George VI made Lionel Logue a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1944....Lionel was with the King for ever wartime speech....Bertie and Lion remained friends for the rest of their lives"

I give this movie a 4.5/5. I loved this movie. Clear and simple. It had some of the best performances in the history of film!  Everyone in the cast took my breath away with their stellar performances. I adore Helena Bonham-Carter as Elizabeth of Bowes-Lyon, stunning was what she was. Guy Pearce was the perfect Edward VIII, the resemblance in uncanny. The plot was exceptional, new and innovative, the ending was so sweet! Lionel was such an entertaining character, thank you Mr. Rush. My only complaint (and it's not really even a complaint) is this sense of it being rushed, very much like my other review on another George VI's movie, 'Bertie and Elizabeth'. Otherwise, it was fabulous. Definitely recommendation from moi.

P.S. Recommendations for other films or books are appreciated.

The Last Princess: The Devoted Life of Queen Victoria's Youngest Child

The Last Princess: The Devoted Life of Queen Victoria's Youngest Child is a 2007 biography on Princess Henry of Battenberg (nee Princess Beatrice of the United Kingdom) written by Matthew Dennison.

In 1853, Queen Victoria gave birth to Prince Leopold of the United Kingdom, an eighth child to her and Albert, the Prince Consort's, already large family. Dr. James Clark's the Queen's obstetrician states his alarming concern on the Queen's mental bearing after birth of several children to the Prince Consort and says quite clearly she should not have anymore children. And yet, 14 months and a fortnight after Clark's conversation with Albert, the Queen goes into labor once again. Aided by the help of that 'blessed' chloroform, Queen Victoria gives birth to her fifth daughter and ninth child; the last Princess, Princess Beatrice Mary Victoria Feodore.

Being the last of the litter, Beatrice was different from the start. Queen Victoria was never the maternal sort, to her babies were 'ugly' rather much like frogs, to put it in her own words but Beatrice was different. She was an incredibly lovely baby and both of her jubilant parents never let anyone forget it. Beatrice was different. Because unlike her elder siblings, she was never placed in the strict regiment of studies designed by Baron Stockmar, she was never able to enjoy the company of her elder family but most important of all, she never had a chance to grow up in the ethereal light of her angel Father.

On December 14, 1861, the Prince Consort died of typhoid and with him died the Queen's happiness. It is unsure what happened after Albert's passing as there are many different accounts on the matter (the most commonly accepted story is that Queen Victoria draped the sleeping Beatrice in the Prince Consort's nightshirt)but one thing stands prevalent in all stories; The Queen found solace in her four year old daughter.   It was from this moment on that Beatrice began her life behind the shadow of a Mother who cared only for her own needs.


For the first half of Beatrice's life, she lived in an isolated world of her own. As time passed in Queen Victoria's depressing family, Beatrice found herself more alone than ever as one by one her sisters, Alice, Helena and Louise were married off and left the safety net of the family. Family relations between Beatrice and her elder brothers were cold due to the jealous felt between the men of Beatrice's closeness with their Mother.  Her youthfulness offered a natural attraction to Queen Victoria because she was innocent to the gloom and sadness of her Father's passing (she quickly learned not to ask where her Father was a few days after the Prince Consort's death) and the Queen grew dependent on her youngest child for a glimmer of light in her lonely days.

It was expected, in Queen Victoria's opinion at least, that Beatrice always remain home with her as a caretaker, as a sort of vestal virgin, all of her life. Although it was been suggested that Beatrice marry, first the Prince Imperial Louise Napoleon, and afterwards, her dead sister's widowed husband, Grand Duke Louis of Hesse and by the Rhine but her feelings for the men were entirely platonic and of little holding in the Princess' heart (although she did cry waterfalls upon hearing of Louis Napoleon's death). First and foremost was Mother, the Queen, and utter devotion to her and her alone was Beatrice's duty and for almost 28 years of Beatrice's life this proved true.

The last princess first met Henry of Battenberg at her niece's, Princess Victoria of Hesse and by the Rhine, wedding to Henry's elder brother, Louis, in the quaint town of Darmstadt. It was love at first sight for both parties and they were absolutely adamant in their determination to be together. Queen Victoria was so shocked that her daughter could physically love someone that the relations between Mother and daughter went frigid. The Queen was only won over and finally approved of the match on Henry's part as he agreed to live in England with his Mother-in-law in order for Beatrice to remain in the Queen's services. The couple was married on 23 of July in 1885. Beatrice was the only one of Queen Victoria's children to wear the Queen's own wedding veil.

The new Princess Henry was the happiest she'd ever be in her whole life. The new Battenberg's were incredibly devoted to each other and very much in love. Together they had four children: Alexander "Drino", Victoria Eugenie, Leopold (who was afflicted with hemophilia) and Maurice (Maurice was most alike his Father in appearance and Beatrice's favourite). Beatrice was never especially maternal to her children finding herself a better servant to her Mother than a Mother to her four children. To make up for their Mother's lack of interest, Henry was a most wonderful, doting Father. Henry grew increasingly tired of his role and desired to prove himself as a man. He persuaded his Mother-in-law to allow him to enter in the Ashanti war and there he died of malaria on January 20, 1896 much to the grief of his short-lived wife.

On January 22, 1901, Queen Victoria died and it was Beatrice's great duty to edit her Mother's diary. To this day she has been credited with omitting certain information that would otherwise have been useful in understanding the domineering woman that was Queen Victoria, the woman who had dominated Beatrice's life for over fifty years of her life. 

Victoria Eugenie, called "Ena" by her family, is said to be Beatrice's greatest achievement. The Princess of Battenberg managed to attract the attention of the posthumous Alfonso XIII of Spain and they are married on May 31, 1906. The birth of their first child, at first celebrated, a son, Alfonso "Alfonitso", brought out the Saxe-Coburg and Gotha's bad blood and like his Uncle, Leopold, Alfonso had hemophilia. Alfonso the elder blamed both his wife and her family for infecting the royal family and never willing spoke to Beatrice again.

The first World War brought much grief to the British royal family, the most being Beatrice herself. After the death of  her favourite son, Maurice's, in Flanders field Beatrice retired from public life. She died peacefully in her sleep on October 26, 1944.

I give this book a 1/5. The book was incredibly hard to comprehend. The author was jumpy when recounting Beatrice's story at one time referring to her childhood and the next commenting on her as an adult and then going back to her youth. And at time, he skipped important moments in Beatrice's life, how she met Henry (You could say he did but it was very vague) and the birth of her children. The book itself didn't stand out very much but that may be due to the fact that Beatrice did not live the most exciting life like her elder sister, the Empress Frederick. NO I would not recommend this book UNLESS you are particularly interested in Princess Beatrice of the United Kingdom and even then I would be rather hesistant.

The Lost King of France: A True Story of Revolution, Revenge and DNA

The Lost King of France: A True Story of Revolution, Revenge and DNA, also printed under the name of  The Lost King of France: How DNA Solved the Mystery of the Murdered Son of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, is a 2002 written by Deborah Cadbury

The premises of The Lost King is based on the life of Louis-Charles, son of Louis XVI of France, the dauphin of France; otherwise, known as Louis XVII. 

On April21, 1770, Archduchess Maria Antonia of Austria bids farewell to her homeland of Austria, her family and most importantly her formidable Mother, the Empress Maria Theresa. She is off the France (ruled by the long time enemies of Austria and the Hapsburg-Lorraine; the Bourbons ) to marry the Dauphin of France, Louis-August, and the countries of Austria and France together. The couple are ill matched and their differences leads to conflict; the main one being their lack of children. Seven years after their initial marriage and with the help of Marie Antoinette's elder brother, Joseph II of Austria, the marriage is finally consummated and and in 1778, the Queen gave birth to her first child, Marie-Therese. A son later, in 1785, she gives birth to Louis-Charles, Duke of Normandy.

Louis-Charles grows up in a strong and healthy boy, the complete opposite of his elder brother, the dauphin, Louis-Joseph, who has come down with a bad case of tuberculosis. The disease greatly deforms the poor boy and eventually killing him in 1789, making Louis-Charles the new dauphin.

Along with personal tribulation upon the Royal couple, Louis and Marie-Antoinette are facing turmoil from the French public. The Queen is publicly ridiculed in the streets as an adulteress and a reckless spender, called Madame Deficit amongst the people, her reputation is further blackened by the Diamond Necklace Affair
even though she was completely innocent in the dealings. Louis, having added more debt into the French coiffures by aiding the Americans in their Revolution, seeks means to repay the enormous sum by raising taxes. His initial ideas were to target the clergy and nobility, the two classes that are largely exempt from taxes, however the plan fell through. As time progressed things seemed to get worse and worse, finally resulting in the departure of the royal family from Versailles to the home of Louis XIV, the Tuileries Palace  

After failed attempt to escape France, the King and his family are brought back to Paris in shame and are now placed in the Temple, a fortress in the heart of Paris. He is charged with treason against the state and is sentence to death. After spending one final night with his family after six weeks of separation, Louis XVI bids farewell to the world and is executed via guillotine.

Having been pried, literally, from the arms of his distraught Mother , Charles, as he is now known, is brought into isolation in order to instill into him the ideals of the revolution. Heavily abused by his care taker, a man by the name of Simon, physically, mentally, and by some reports, sexually, for over a year, Charles falls seriously ill. Clinging the cruel hope of being reunited with his Mother, who he still believed to be in a room somewhere above his, the guards do not tell him of his Mother's execution (1793) nor of his Aunt's (1794). On June 8 1795, the titular King of France, dies reportedly of scrofulous, virtually alone. The ten year old child's body is sent to an autopsy, where a Doctor, Pelletan, stole his heart.


 Meanwhile, in the outside world, time has passed. Marie-Therese left France in December of 1795 for Austria and later, she married her cousin, Louis-Antoine, son of the Count of Artois. After the decline of the French Revolution and the fall of Napoleon, the Bourbon dynasty is restored to their throne.This causes a uproar in the number of pretenders claiming to be Louis XVII. Louis XVIII, devises several attempts to discover the fate of his nephew and even Marie-Therese herself does some investigating. A dreadful turn of fortunes, the family of the Count of Artois, now Charles X, are forced into exile. Marie-Therese died of pneumonia in 1851, after having been moving from place to place for the last decade, a faded reminder of the glory days of France.

It was not until 2000 was the case of the lost dauphin of France laid to rest. The family of Naundorff  still clung to the belief that they were indeed descendants of Louis XVI and Mari-Antoinette. Phillippe Delorme, a historian and journalist, began doing testing on samples of Karl Naundorff to compare them to Marie-Antoinette. The results were less than perfect. Into the hands of the scientist came the heart of Louis XVII that was stolen during the boy's autopsy. The maternal DNA of the sample was an exact replica of Marie-Antoinette's and her two sister,Maria-Johanna-Gabriella and Maria- Josepha, DNA.And so, it was made public, the lost King of France did not miraculously escape from the Tower but died there are was reportedly, a half-mad figure that used to be Marie-Antoinette's chou d'amour.

I give this book a 4/5. The author paints the story of the tragic Louis XVII of France in such a gut wrenching way, that at certain points of the story, I was nearly on the verge of tears. It is really such a revolting tale on the cruelty of man and such an innocent child. I haven't read many books on the French Revolution, although, I have read an occasional book or the odd film on his Mother, the infamous, Marie-Antoinette but this book has really caught my attention on the atrocity committed against the Bourbon family. It receives a definite recommendation from me, it is a rather nice introduction to those interested in the French Revolution and the events  that happened afterward with Marie-Therese, which is largely ignored.

The Tudor Queens of England

The Tudor Queens of England is a 2009 book written by David Loades.

The books traces the lives of 14 Tudor Queens:

-Catherine of Valois 
-Margaret of Anjou
-Elizabeth Woodville
-Elizabeth of York
-Catherine of Aragon
-Anne Boleyn
-Jane Seymour
-Anne of Cleves
-Catherine Howard
-Catherine Parr
-Jane Grey
-Mary, Queen of Scots
-Mary I of England
-Elizabeth I of England

I give this book a 2/5. It didn't stand out that well for me as a read. Nothing really that would hold your attention or offer you facts that you didn't already know. The only new thing that I learned in this book was scrapes of information on the Tudor's claim to the English throne. The only good point in this story is that they divided the sections well and placed the information correctly. I would only suggest this book for SHORT reads.

Goong T

Goong T is a 2006 parody of the Korean Drama Goong S (also known as Prince Hours) by the sub Super Junior group, Super Junior T.

Eeteuk (Park Jung-soo) - Prince Eeteuk

Eunhyuk (Lee Hyuk-jae) - Prince Eunhyuk
Heechul (Kim Heechul) - Lady Hwang Jini
Kangin ( Kim Young-woon) - Eunuch Kang 
Sungmin (Lee Sung-min) - Lady Heebin
Shindong (Shin Dong-hee) - Prince Eunhyuk's Friend

The plot behind Goong T is similar to Goong S in the aspect that is based on the fictional world of a constitutional monarchy in present day South Korea and the story of a commoner that becomes a Prince. Lady Heebin, the most powerful woman in all of Korea, plots to place her son, Prince Eunhyuk, on the throne. Lady Heebin is quite fond of her son and treasures him dearly. She loves to play with her son, especially to look at the 'T' shaped mole on his stomach that he inherited from her.

But all does not go well for Lady Heebin when the 1st heir to the throne, Prince Eeteuk arrives. Prince Eeteuk is the son of the former Queen who was chased out of the palace for doing "bad" things. And as the first born son, Eeteuk is to inherited the throne blocking Eunhyuk from achieving the crown. She begins a plot to over throw the ill-fated son of the previous Queen.

Lady Hwang Jini, third daughter of the Prime Minister of Korea, is engaged to Prince Eunhyuk. The Prince loves his fiance dearly although his feelings are not returned. Jini falls for the dashing Eeteuk after he saves her when she falls off the balcony. The feeling is mutual and the two begin a love affair. Violent feelings between the 1st Prince and the 2nd flare up when Eunhyuk catches the lovers in the act of making out.

The 2nd Prince's devilish friend, Shindong (described as the Prince's friend with no other life), constantly harries Eunhyuk's rival for the throne. Shindong devises a plan using Eunuch Kang ( The Eunuch, who has a crush on the evil crony, is bribed by ticket to see a movie with his unrequited love) to break up the happy couple of Jini and Eeteuk. This ultimately fails with Jini's resolve to remain with Eeteuk forever and that nothing will stop them from being together. The Crown Prince cements this promise with his lady love by kissing her forehead. This forces the sad Eunuch to admit that they are a 'beautiful couple'.

Lady Heebin is forced to apply the dark arts in order to stop Eeteuk from taking her beloved son's "rightful" place. She uses a voodoo image to curse the poor prince which ultimately leads to his death (via the cursed image). After killing Prince Eeteuk in cold blood, it is revealed by the Court Lady and Prince Eunhyuk that Prince Eeteuk is in actuality the biological son of Lady Heebin. Prince Eunhyuk is in fact the son of the exiled Queen. The Court Lady (who had been a staunch supporter of the previous Queen because the Queen had taken her in and raised her well) had switched the two babies at the request of the Ex-Queen in revenge for the Lady framing the former Queen and casting her out of the palace for crims she didn't commit. To prove their point, Prince Eunhyuk shows the 'T' shaped mole he supposedly inherited from his "Mother" which turns out only to be made of marker. Upon realizing this Heebin checks the deceased prince lying on her floor who indeed has the mole and it's REAL. The brokenhearted Heebin cries over the loss of her biological son. And thus ends the dramatic tale of Goong T.

I give this movie 4/5. I found that the plot very entertaining in the allotted 40 minutes of the show. A funny thing to remember is that all the actors are male (with the exception of the Court Lady). In my opinion Eeteuk played the perfect fairy tale prince. He played the concept of being the a thorough romantic exceptionally. His performance in this will win him plenty of fans girls (as it has done with yours truly). Lady Heebin who played by Sungmin was fabulous. I feel that Sungmin did his role superbly and to make it all better he actually looked like a beautiful FEMALE royal figure. Eunhyuk is played a very wonderful evil and spoiled prince. I'm glad that they chose him for that role. Heechul could have worked on his role a bit more and the look of the character looked a bit shabby. This show doesn't have the budget of a major motion picture and not that historically accurate but it still very entertaining and funny with lots of drama and romance. If you're bored, I suggest you try this out for lots of laughs.    

Marie Antoinette

 

Marie Antoinette is a 2006 film directed by Sophia Coppola based from the book written by Antonia Fraser on the life of the Last True Queen of France, Marie Antoinette. 

Marie Antoinette won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design   

Kirsten Dunst - Marie Antoinette

Jason Schwartzman - Louise XVI

Marie Antoinette starts with Maria Theresa choosing her youngest daughter Maria Antonia to marry the Dauphin of France, Louis Auguste, in order to cement an alliance between Austria and France. Maria is taken to a small island in the Middle of the Rhine where she is to give up anything that is Austrian (even her favourite dog) and trade it for something French. After this ritual is done she is no longer Archduchess Maria Antonia but is now Marie Antoinette, Dauphine of France.

Marie meets her new husband the shy, Louis Auguste. The couple are quickly married but the marriage remains unconsummated. The sexless marriage is not her only concern, Marie begins to find that life in Versailles is difficult, finding no privacy, always having servants and attendant follow her. The courtiers don't like her because she is Austrian and a foreigner and mock her for not providing France with an heir. 

All of the Court is gossiping about Louis XV sex life with Madame du Barry. Du Barry was born of low birth and is only welcome at court because the King bought her the title of Comtesse. She is disliked among all the women of the court because of her low birth and haughty nature. Marie snubs Du Barry and refuses to talk to her. She is convinced by her Mother to say at least something to the Comtesse in order to please the king. She complies but says that she will never speak to Du Barry again after this.

After many attempts to seduce the Dauphin and failing each time, the Dauphine begins to wonder what is wrong with her. She begins to buy and buy and buy. She becomes a shopaholic. Thinking that all of these fancy gowns and lavish shoes will make her prettier and more attractive to the Dauphin and everyone else. She begins making louche friends and getting into plenty of trouble because of it. The group sneaks out of the Palace and into Paris, where she meets Count Axel Fersen for the first time. 

Louis XV dies and Louis Auguste becomes King Louis XVI of France and Marie becomes Queen Marie Antoinette. The France that Louis inherits is restless because of high taxes. Marie continues with her frivolous spending and now Louis throws in his lot with the Americans against the English in the American Civil War. 

Marie Antoinette's brother, Emperor Joseph II of Austria, comes over to visit to advise Marie on her spending and parties but really it's to help solve the marital bed. He manages to solve the issue and Louis and Marie have intercourse resulting in the birth of a daughter, Marie-Therese.

Marie starts spending nearly all of her time at her paradise, The Petit Trianon. Completely ignoring her social responsibilities as Queen. During her time at the Trianon, she begins an affair with Axel Fersen. 

The country is heaped in debt and the people blame it all on Marie Antoinette. They begin a propaganda war that still lingers today. The Queen no longer like she social scene preferring to stay with her family. Her Mother soon dies and shotrly after that she gives birth to a son, Louis Joseph and a daughter (who soon dies).

An angry mob storms the Bastile and heads for Versailles. The King sends all of the nobility out of the country but he stays. And Marie, as his wife, believes it's her duty to stay with him. The crowd storms Versailles in search for the Queen (with the intention of killing her) but she has already fled to the King's apartment. The crowd calls for the Queen's blood. She goes onto the balcony and bows to the crowd causing some to go "Viva the Queen". 

The royal family is taken from Versailles to the Tuileries. The final scene shows Marie Antoinette's room; destroyed.

I give this movie a 4/5. I really liked this movie because of it's less "mouth to mouth" narration and more "heart to heart". You can understand what Marie Antoinette was feeling and I think Kirsten Dunst did a good job of that. Sophia did a pretty good job on this movie. A negative of this movie was that it ignores the politics surrounding France at the time. The cast was nice. Everyone worked well with each other. The eensy-weensy thing that ticked me off  was that I thought Jason Schwartzman didn't have the girth to play Louis XVI. This movie won't teach you a history lesson but it will show you a side of Marie Antoinette; the human side.     

   

     

Nicholas And Alexandra

Nicholas and Alexandra is a 1971 film based on the life of Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra Feodorvna. The movie was based on the book by Robert K. Massie.

Micheal Jayston - Nicholas II
Janet Suzman - Alexandra Feodorvna
Roderic Noble - Tsarevich Alexei
Tom Baker - Gregory Rasputin

Nicholas and Alexandra won an Academy Award for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration and Best Costume Design

The movie begins with the birth of Tsarevich Alexei during the Russo-Japanese war. Although told by many of his advisers to back out of the war with Japan Nicholas is adamant to continue this war because he now has a son to fight for. Even his Mother suggest so!

When Alexei is diagnosed with hemophilia (that Alexandra, through her Mother's side, gave him), Alexandra is distraught. She seeks the help of A "saint" name Gregory Rasputin. He manages to "save" Alexei which gives Alexandra the idea that he is a holy man. Alexandra becomes dependent on Rasputin much the the hatred of nearly everyone around her and the Russian people, who no nothing of Alexei's disease. 

Russia is filled with civil unrest. The people do not want to continue in the war and the factory workers are hostile about their conditions. The people decide to petition to the Tsar (they do not know that he already left because Alexei was bleeding) but they are only met with gun fire. This day is known in history as "Bloody Sunday".

As Alexei grows up, he become rebellious against his condition. He wants to play and run but if he can't because it might trigger the bleeding if he merely bumped into something. The Tsar highers a sailor by the name of Nagorny to look after his son.

The movie also shows Russia's political instability. With the assassination attempt on Stolypin to the fall of the Duma. When World War I starts the reign of Nicholas II falls into the gutter. Nicholas decided to take charge of the army from his more experienced cousin, leaving Alexandra as regent. She is in the control of Rasputin who in fact has the REAL power. Rasputin is so hated that two men; Grand Duke Dmitri and Prince Felix Yusupov, lure Rasputin to a party and the precede to murder him. The troops are poorly armed and more men die each day. the people DEMAND that Nicholas abdicates. He does and also for his son. He wanted to protect Alexei. Thus the monarchy falls.

Lenin takes power and he places the royal family in Siberia. The Russian civil war begins and the royal family has to be transferred again; this time to Ekaterinburg. The royal family is seen optimistic all except for Alexei who has become quite pessimistic. With the White Army fast approaching to save the Tsar. The Bolsheviks order the family to be executed. To make the family happy, the guard sends the undelivered letters from Tsar family and friends.

The family is then lead to a quiet room where they think they are about to leave. As men enter the room, Alexei kisses his father on the cheek. The guards pulls out the rifles and aim it at the unsuspecting family. The girls scream and Alexandra tries to make the cross before a hail of bullets descend on the family. The final scene shows the bloody and bullet filled wall.              

I give this movie 4/5. I didn't like Janet Suzman as Alexandra. I thought her acting was marvelous (especially close to the end) but she just does not looked like Alexandra to me. I did however love the fact that they portrayed Nicholas not only as a Tsar but as a fool. Nicholas was a "fool" in a sense even though he had was still a good Tsar. It's rightly shows the mistakes that Nicholas makes in his reign. This movie represents a point of view that is indeed mostly truthful. At first when I watched it I didn't really enjoy it but when went back to watch ALL of it, I thought it was quite potent. The movie is a long one but still worth while. I tried to do my best on the plot summary but the movie is quiet in depth and has a lost more than I could write about in this "short" summary. It is a rich movie for knowledge. I would recommend this to most people but you would have to watch the movie more than once to appreciate it.