The Queen: A witty, emotional & entertaining film

The Queen: An emotional, witty and entertaining film

This film goes some way to put right one of history's great misconceptions.

When Diana, the ex-wife of the heir to the British throne died, journalists all over the world generated (and then regenerated) a furore against the British Monarchy.

Imagine the situation

You can imagine yourself similar circumstances. You are a grandmother and the divorced mother of your two young adolescent grandsons has been killed in a terrible accident. What is your first thought? Naturally, it's to protect them and see them through this terribly tragic time.

It doesn't matter that you are the Queen of England. At times like this you are first and foremost a grandmother,protecting your family.

No ordinary adolescents

The boys had suffered through the breakdown of their parents' marriage. That can be hard enough, no matter who you are. But there had never been such a public break-up. Every move the parents made was splashed all over the media.

They even had to endure their mother speaking on television, admitting to having had lovers. Imagine being a young teenager and having your mother tell of her infidelities on worldwide TV. This must have been appalling for the boys - and for their grandmother - to watch. This is particularly the case when you have such a high profile and are not used to washing your dirty linen in public.

Why Diana did this I have no idea. Putting the record straight? I would have thought that her children's peace of mind should have come first.

But tell tales she did, watched by millions.

Closing ranks - grieve in private

The family however, after Diana's death, thought about nothing but the boys.The media attacked the Queen and the rest of the family for not being public at this time. This ignited the public, which was then reported in the press and thus the vicious circle was started. But back to the film...

Fabulous script and wonderful actors

The cream of the crop appeared in this film. I usually dislike movies that portray real people (except those from history) but this was immaculately and sensitively done. Helen Mirren, who portrayed the Queen says that she saw herself as 'portrait painter' - reflecting an aspect of the Queen who she describes as sparkling, funny and warm.

The boys today

Princes William and Harry have grown up to be truly wonderful young men. Diana frequently and publicly decried the royal family (her own children's flesh and blood) but yet it is largely thanks to the family that they are such incredible people.

These films too are true stories about the British royal family in the twentieth century.

See clip from the film

The media had enraged the public so much that the Queen, portrayed here by Helen Mirren, was obliged to return to London.

At first, she was horrified at what she saw; it seemed that the ordinary British people were blaming her family. (Whereas in fact, there are those who are certain that it was the media and the paparazzi, were truly responsible). However, her love for her people - and their love for her - can't be hidden.

After all, when all is said and done, she is a mother and a grandmother. Privilege and position does not protect from the harsh realities of life.

This is a lovely clip.

A quote from Prince Harry ten years after the death of his mother.