The King's Speech!

I think a lot of us have been very familiar with the true story of the British Royal Monarch “The King’s Speech.” But for me, I will never know the real value of this movie until the time I watched it in my laptop last October 24. It was played in the big screen in United Kingdom on the 7^th of January of this year (2011).

My first impression of the movie before I finally decided to watch it is that is some kinda boring. I mean just a typical movie, it is expected to have more conversation, more on the talk and not on the action or something. My interest on movies is more on action or thriller done by Angelina Jolie, Uma Thurman, Megan Fox and other Hollywood actresses that always give a knock-out. 

King George VI                Colin Firth

Well, this movie got all of my impression wrong and in fact it amazed me to be honest. What do you think would make it more interesting? One thing, because it is a TRUE to LIFE STORY! Indeed, a historical drama film directed by the award winning director Tom Hooper and written by David Seidler at the start of 1980 but was postponed, because  the Queen Mother’s wishes (The Mother of Queen Elizabeth II, the wife of King George VI) until her death in 2002. 

On the trailer of the movie, it says “When his nation needed a leader, when the people needed a voice, an ordinary man would help him find his courage.”

The movie demonstrated the struggle of King George VI before he became the next king of the United Kingdom. He struggle on how to overcome his stammering. Stammering (also known as stuttering) is a speech disorder which is described as an involuntary repetitions and prolongations of sounds, words or phrase and syllabus. An involuntary silent or block would cause the stammer unable to produce sounds.  

Lionel Logue        Geoffrey Rush

Before he became as King George VI, he was known as “Prince Albert, the Duke of York” (played by Colin Firth). He’s the son of King George V, the younger brother of “Prince Edward, the Prince of Wales). He was desperate because of his unsuccessful treatment. His self-esteemed slowed down because of this deficiency and admitted to self that he can never be a leader. Until one man changed not only his stammering but also his whole perspective in life. And that person was Lionel Logue (played by Geoffrey Rush).

The plot of the story is great and the characters of the story are awesome (to be specific with Firth and Rush). It is a story of friendship, courage and leadership.

BEHIND THE MOVIE... a True Story of their lives...

King George VI Coronation

The two of them became the best of friends after King Geoge VI declaration of war against Germany in 1939 where Logue silently help him at his side while delivering his (the king) speech in a live broadcast. Supposedly, the work of Logue has ended already for him. But for the king, it is a start of a new beginning. 

At the end of the movie, it explains that during the World War II, Logue has always been present at the King George VI’s speeches. In the year 1944, Logue was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. This is in recognition of his personal service to the Monarch. As their lives go on, it is also a continuation of their friendship for the rest of their lives.

Did you know that...
A handwritten written letter of Queen Elizabeth dated February 28, 1952 in Buckingham Palace was discovered. The letter was dedicated to Lionel Logue. It stated the following:

"I think that I know perhaps better than anyone just how much you helped the King, not only with his speech, but, through that, his whole life, and outlook on life. I shall always be deeply grateful to you for all you did for him."

A year after, Logue died after King George VI in 1952.

Posted in: british royal monarch, colin firth, geoffrey rush, king george VI, King's speech, lionel logue, movie