Films About British Monarchs
Films about British monarchs have long been a popular subject in cinema. These films often explore the lives, reigns, and historical events surrounding the British royal family. Here are some notable films about British monarchs:
“The King's Speech”, 2010
Director: Tom Hooper
This critically acclaimed film tells the story of King George VI and his struggle with a speech impediment. It explores his relationship with his speech therapist and his journey to find his voice [[1]](https://rdd.media/en/10-luchshih-filmov-o-britanskoj-monarhii/).
Starring: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Timothy Spall, Anthony Andrews, Michael Gambon, Claire Bloom, Derek Jacobi, Jennifer Ehle, Eve Best, Patrick Ryecart, Roger Parrott, Robert Portal, Richard Dixon, Paul Trussell, Adrian Scarborough, Andrew Havill, Charles Armstrong, Roger Hammond, Calum Gittins, Dominic Applewhite, Ben Wimsett, Freya Wilson, Ramona Marquez, David Bamber, Jake Hathaway, Teresa Gallagher, Simon Chandler, Orlando Wells, Tim Downie, Dick Ward, John Albasiny, Danny Emes, John Warnaby, Sarah Molkenthin, Peter Agnelli, Dean Ambridge, Mike Archer, Mihai Arsene, Max Callum, Corgi, James Currie, Graham Curry, Philip Dehany, Julie Eagleton, Tony Earnshaw, Adam Eveson, Jon Adam Freeman, Benjamin Haller;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 118 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
“Elizabeth”, 1998
Director: Shekhar Kapur
This film focuses on the early years of Queen Elizabeth I's reign and her struggles to maintain power in a male-dominated world. It stars Cate Blanchett in the titular role.
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Joseph Fiennes, Richard Attenborough, Christopher Eccleston, Kathy Burke, Fanny Ardant, Vincent Cassel, Eric Cantona, Emily Mortimer, Kelly Macdonald, John Gielgud, Daniel Craig, James Frain, Edward Hardwicke, Jamie Foreman, Terence Rigby, Angus Deayton, Amanda Ryan, Kenny Doughty, George Yiasoumi, Wayne Sleep, Alfie Allen, Lily Allen, Valerie Gale, Liz Giles, Rod Culbertson, Paul Fox, Peter Stockbridge, Sally Grey, Kate Loustau, Elika Gibbs, Sarah Owen, Joe White, Matt Andrews, Liam Foley, Ben Frain, Lewis Jones, Michael Beint, Hayley Burroughs, Joseph O'Conor, Brendan O'Hea, Edward Highmore, Daniel Moynihan, Jeremy Hawk, James Rowe, Donald Pelmear, Charles Cartmell, Edward Purver;
Production year: 1998;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 124 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Elizabeth” on the website imdb.com
“The Young Victoria”, 2008
Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
This film follows the early years of Queen Victoria's reign and her romance with Prince Albert. It explores her challenges as a young queen and her transformation into a powerful monarch [[2]](https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2021/08/22-regal-films-about-18-of-your-favourite-british-monarchs/).
Starring: Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson, Jim Broadbent, Thomas Kretschmann, Mark Strong, Jesper Christensen, Harriet Walter, Jeanette Hain, Julian Glover, Michael Maloney, Michiel Huisman, Genevieve O'Reilly, Rachael Stirling, Morven Christie, Josef Altin, Tom Brooke, Michaela Brooks, Grace Smith, Sophie Roberts, Charlie Clarke, Robert Cambrinus, Tom Fisher, Shaun Dingwall, Alice Glover, David Horovitch, Jo Hartley, Bernard Lloyd, John Pirkis, Iain Mitchell, David Robb, Malcolm Sinclair, Julia St John, Thomas Michael Voss, Julie McDonnell, Liam Scott, Mark Beesley, Richard Quine, Nick Chopping, Rowley Irlam, Kelly Dent, Mark Henson, Dominic Preece, Peter White, Leonard Woodcock, Peter Agnelli, Princess Beatrice, David Chadwick, Natalie Chimes;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: drama, melodrama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 105 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “The Young Victoria” on the website imdb.com
“The Favourite”, 2018
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Set in the early 18th century, this film delves into the complex relationship between Queen Anne and her two close advisors, Sarah Churchill and Abigail Masham. It explores themes of power, manipulation, and rivalry [[2]](https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2021/08/22-regal-films-about-18-of-your-favourite-british-monarchs/).
Starring: Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone, Nicholas Hoult, Joe Alwyn, Mark Gatiss, Emma Delves, Faye Daveney, Paul Swaine, Jennifer White, Lilly-Rose Stevens, Denise Mack, James Smith, Horatio, Willem Dalby, Edward Aczel, Carolyn Saint-Pé, John Locke, Everal Walsh, Basil Eidenbenz, Declan Wyer, Anthony Dougall, James Melville, Timothy Innes, Ben English, Wilson Mbomio, Peter Brookes, Gavin Henderson, Djordje Jovanovic, Sam Kemp, Hana McDowell, James Perrin, Luca Wiseman, Callum Lewin, Jenny Rainsford, Liam Fleming, Angela Hicks, Martin Pemberton, Isaura Barbe-Brown, Alexis Bennett, Samuel Bossman, Antonia Castilla, Solomon Jericho Charles, Errol Clayton, Leigh Dent, Chris Elms, Frank Gordon, Tim Ingall, Elizabeth Ita, Ethan Keaton;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: drama, comedy, biography, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “The Favourite” on the website imdb.com
“Mary Queen of Scots”, 2018
Director: Josie Rourke
This film portrays the tumultuous relationship between Mary Stuart and her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. It delves into the political and personal conflicts that shaped their lives.
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, Jack Lowden, Joe Alwyn, David Tennant, Guy Pearce, Angela Bain, Richard Cant, Guy Rhys, Thom Petty, Izuka Hoyle, John Ramm, Simon Russell Beale, Abby Cassidy, Shalisha James-Davis, Maria-Victoria Drăguș, Eileen O'Higgins, Liah O'Prey, Greg Miller Burns, Aneurin Pascoe, Adrian Derrick-Palmer, Martin Compston, James McArdle, Kal Sabir, Adam Bond, Luke Kidd, Claire Brown, Katharine O'Donnelly, Adrian Lester, Gemma Chan, Grace Molony, Georgia Burnell, Luke Hobson, Ben Wiggins, Eldredd Wolf, Alan Turkington, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Eric MacLennan, Ian Hart, Euan Macnaughton, Nathen East, Daniel Booroff, Brendan Coyle, Sean Buchanan, Matthew Pidgeon, Benjamin Barraclough, Jordan Turk, Adam Stevenson, Scot Greenan, Chris Grahamson;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 124 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,3;
More information about the film “Mary Queen of Scots” on the website imdb.com
“The Madness of King George”, 1994
Director: Nicholas Hytner
This film is a historical comedy-drama that depicts the mental decline of King George III and the political turmoil that ensues. It stars Nigel Hawthorne in the lead role [[3]](https://www.historyhit.com/culture/best-film-portrayals-of-british-monarchs/).
Starring: Nigel Hawthorne, Helen Mirren, Ian Holm, Rupert Graves, Amanda Donohoe, Rupert Everett, Geoffrey Palmer, Julian Wadham, Jim Carter, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Charlotte Curley, Peter Bride-Kirk, Eve Camden, Thomas Copeland, Joanna Hall, Cassandra Halliburton, Russell Martin, Natalie Palys, David Leon, Martin Julier, Anthony Calf, Matthew Lloyd Davies, Adrian Scarborough, Paul Corrigan, John Wood, Dan Hammond, Nicholas Irons, Nick Sampson, Jeremy Child, Nicholas Selby, Barry Stanton, Struan Rodger, Janine Duvitski, Caroline Harker, Iain Mitchell, Roger Hammond, Celestine Randall, Cyril Shaps, Michael Grandage, James Peck, Clive Brunt, Selina Cadell, Fergus Webster, Barry Gillespie, Joe Maddison, Dermot Keaney, Peter Woodthorpe, Colin McPhillamy, Roger Ashton-Griffiths, Robert Swann;
Production year: 1994;
Genre: drama, comedy, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “The Madness of King George” on the website imdb.com
“Anne of the Thousand Days”, 1969
Director: Charles Jarrott
This film focuses on the tumultuous relationship between King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. It explores their love affair, Anne's rise to power as queen, and her eventual downfall.
Starring: Richard Burton, Geneviève Bujold, Irene Papas, Anthony Quayle, John Colicos, Michael Hordern, Katharine Blake, Peter Jeffrey, Joseph O'Conor, William Squire, Valerie Gearon, Vernon Dobtcheff, Gary Bond, Terence Wilton, Denis Quilley, Esmond Knight, T.P. McKenna, Michael Johnson, Marne Maitland, Nora Swinburne, June Ellis, Cyril Luckham, Brook Williams, Lesley Paterson, Amanda Jane Smythe, Nicola Pagett, Peter Avella, George Ballantine, Hyma Beckley, Jack «Kid» Berg, Kate Burton, Elizabeth Counsell, Maxwell Craig, Mabel Etherington, Max Faulkner, Ernest Fennemore, Harry Fielder, Hugh Futcher, Victor Harrington, Fiona Hartford, Lindsay Hooper, Lilian Hutchins, Juliet Kempson, Juba Kennerley, Eric Kent, Aileen Lewis, Tommy Little, Fred Machon, Mary Maxfield, Alan Meacham;
Production year: 1969;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 145 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Anne of the Thousand Days” on the website imdb.com
“The Queen”, 2005
Director: Stephen Frears
This film offers a fictionalized account of the events following the death of Princess Diana and the reaction of Queen Elizabeth II. It explores the tension between the monarchy and the public during a time of crisis [[3]](https://www.historyhit.com/culture/best-film-portrayals-of-british-monarchs/).
Starring: Helen Mirren, James Cromwell, Michael Sheen, Alex Jennings, Sylvia Syms, Helen McCrory, Roger Allam, Tim McMullan, Robin Soans, Lola Peploe, Douglas Reith, Joyce Henderson, Pat Laffan, Amanda Hadingue, John McGlynn, Gray O'Brien, Dolina MacLennan, Jake Taylor Shantos, Dash Barber, Mark Bazeley, Kananu Kirimi, Susan Hitch, Julian Firth, Harry Alexander Coath, Earl Cameron, Elliot Levey, Anthony Debaeck, Emmy Lou Harries, Laurence Burg, Michel Gay, Wolfgang Pissors, Malou Beauvoir, Paul Barrett, Xavier Castano, Mohamed Al-Fayed, Martin Bashir, Tom Cruise, Julie Eagleton, Dodi Fayed, James Fiddy, Caroline Glass, Tom Hanks, Martin Heathcote, Elton John, Forbes KB, Nicole Kidman, Martyn Lewis, Nelson Mandela, Alan Marsh, Trevor McDonald;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 103 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “The Queen” on the website imdb.com
“Henry V”, 1989
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Directed by Kenneth Branagh, this film adapts Shakespeare's play and portrays the life and military campaigns of King Henry V. It is known for its epic battle scenes and Branagh's powerful performance in the lead role [[3]](https://www.historyhit.com/culture/best-film-portrayals-of-british-monarchs/).
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Paul Scofield, Ian Holm, Brian Blessed, Judi Dench, Emma Thompson, Christian Bale, Robbie Coltrane, Alec McCowen, James Larkin, Simon Shepherd, James Simmons, Charles Kay, Paul Gregory, Nicholas Ferguson, Tom Whitehouse, Fabian Cartwright, Stephen Simms, Jay Villiers, Edward Jewesbury, Danny Webb, Jimmy Yuill, John Sessions, Shaun Prendergast, Michael Williams, Richard Briers, Geoffrey Hutchings, Robert Stephens, Geraldine McEwan, Michael Maloney, Harold Innocent, Richard Clifford, Colin Hurley, Richard Easton, Christopher Ravenscroft, David Lloyd Meredith, Nigel Greaves, Julian Gartside, Mark Inman, Chris Armstrong, Stefano Douaihy, Calum Yuill, Kenneth W Caravan, Owain Griffiths, Danny Lee, David Speed, Fred Wood;
Production year: 1989;
Genre: drama, war, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 137 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Henry V” on the website imdb.com
These films provide a glimpse into the lives and reigns of British monarchs, showcasing their struggles, triumphs, and the historical events that shaped their legacies.
In the realm of cinema, films about British monarchs have reigned supreme, captivating audiences with their grandeur, intrigue, and historical significance. From regal dramas depicting the turbulent reign of Queen Elizabeth I in “Elizabeth” to the heartwarming story of King George VI's struggle with a speech impediment in “The King's Speech,” these films have offered a glimpse into the lives of those who have sat on the throne of the United Kingdom. With impeccable performances, lavish costumes, and stunning cinematography, these films have not only entertained but also educated viewers about the complexities of monarchy and the indomitable spirit of the British people. Through the lens of cinema, we have witnessed the triumphs, trials, and tribulations of these iconic figures, leaving us in awe of their enduring legacies. As the credits roll, we are reminded of the indelible mark these films have left on our collective imagination, forever immortalizing the stories of British monarchs for generations to come.
