Elizabeth II in cinema. What did the Queen look like on screen?
Miscellaneous / / September 09, 2022
Collected the most interesting. From documentaries to cult series.
On the evening of September 8, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain died. The 96-year-old monarch in her long life managed not only to catch the heyday of mass culture, but also to become part of it. The coronation ceremony of Elizabeth II, which took place in 1953, was broadcast on British television. It is believed that this event played a huge role in the popularization of television broadcasting.
Many films have been made about Elizabeth II, both documentaries and feature films. They help to understand what the life of a monarch is like, and also tell about the personality of the most famous queen of our time.
1. London holidays
A Royal Night Out
- UK, 2015.
- Drama, comedy.
- Duration: 97 minutes.
- IMDb: 6.5.
1945 Europe celebrates victory over Germany. In honor of the significant event, the sisters Margaret and Elizabeth are allowed to leave Buckingham Palace for the night. So they find themselves in the center of London, joyful, but not at all royal.
The director of the film was Julian Jarrold, known for the films Jane Austen, Crime and Punishment and the TV series The Crown. The film shows the human nature of the royal families. The sisters have the same feelings and desires as ordinary Englishmen. But they can only be real for one night. After Margaret and Elizabeth are required to return to their royal status.
Watch on Google Play →
2. Crown
The Crown
- UK, 2016.
- Drama, history, biography.
- Duration: 4 seasons.
- IMDb: 8.7.
The series starts with weddings Elizabeth and Philip and talks about the decades of the reign of the monarch. Elizabeth tries not to lose her power and influence, learns to find a common language with the changing prime ministers and solves family problems along the way. It turns out that the life of the queen is not only participation in magnificent events, but also loneliness.
Both the audience, who give high marks, and the critics, who have already given the project 7 Golden Globe awards, are delighted with the series. The fifth season of the series will be released in autumn. The sixth was in the process of filming, but they were suspended due to mourning.
Watch on Google Play →
3. Queen
The Queen
- UK, USA, France, Italy, 2006.
- Drama, biography.
- Duration: 103 minutes.
- IMDb: 7.3.
Queen Elizabeth II is trying to recover from the tragic death of Princess Diana. The monarch locks herself in Balmoral Castle with her family and announces to the courtiers that public funeral will not. But young Prime Minister Tony Blair is pushing for them because he believes it will help unite the country and also keep the population loyal to the royal family.
The film was directed by Stephen Frears, who directed Dangerous Liaisons and Night Falls. The role of the queen was played by Helen Mirren, who received an Oscar for her performance. The picture demonstrates how difficult it is to combine personal life, royal duties and political decisions. No wonder the film begins with Shakespeare's quote "There is no rest for the head in the crown."
Watch on Google Play →
4. Elizabeth: The Invisible Queen
Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen
- UK, 2022.
- Documentary.
- Duration: 76 minutes.
- IMDb: 7.3.
Fresh documentary a film in which Elizabeth shares stories from her life. Among other things, she tells about her first foreign tour and engagement - only decades later, the queen revealed the secret of some of the events of her biography. The film also uses personal footage of the royal family. Elizabeth: The Invisible Queen takes a look behind the scenes and sees what the life of today's monarchs looks like from the inside.
5. Elizabeth I and II: Golden Queens
Elizabeth I and II: The Golden Queens
- UK, 2021.
- Documentary.
- Duration: 89 minutes.
In 1558, 25-year-old Elizabeth ascended the throne. She was in power until 1603, her reign is usually called the "golden age of England" - they created Shakespeare, Marlow, Bacon, the East India Company opened, the Spanish fleet was defeated. In 1952, a 25-year-old girl again became queen - this time Elizabeth II.
The documentary compares two queens whose fates were similar in many ways. They had to fight for influence with their family members and listen to reproaches due to their young age, but they both managed to withstand the test. Both ruled for a long time, and during their reign the world changed a lot. Over the course of two series, experts find other details that unite the two Elizabeths.
Read also👑
- 10 very beautiful films about kings and queens
- 7 bright films and one very beautiful series about Princess Diana
- 5 Things Queen Elizabeth II Taught Us