‘King’s Speech’ brings back old memories

Michael Gambon, Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth.
Director: Tom Hopper
Running time: 118 minutes
Type of film: Verismo: Historical
By Prof Joel White
It’s not often that one sees a film which re-creates memories so vivid that they are your full-time companions more than seven decades later.
In the mid-1930s, there were two related world issues, which while front and centre on the European map were equally seen for their seriousness in my part of the world, New York City.
England was experiencing a crisis of seemingly local importance at the same time it was facing a threat that could snuff out its very existence.
Last month, in Hollywood, the film “The King’s Speech” received the highest accolade the movie industry can bestow: The Academy Award for Best film.
With not the slightest resistance I applaud the voters’ judgment. With the death of Britain’s King George V, it was even more crucial than normal that his successor be willing and capable of binding the nation together to face the threat of annihilation in the upcoming war with Nazi Germany, led by the decisive Adolf Hitler.
Ironically, with truth, as we know, often far stranger than fiction, the late king’s eldest son – heir presumptive – was embroiled in a love affair with a twice-divorced American woman (Mrs Wallis Simpson).
Determined to marry her at whatever cost the nation was at a complete standstill at a time it should have been most alert.
Those of us over age 80, even though half a world away, can recall vividly the daily reports – which made it clear that Britain’s very existence hung in the balance.
With this background as a given, this magnificent film takes us behind the scene and shows us the turmoil which ensued when it became clear to many that the new king’s younger brother suffered an emotional condition as it was then viewed by the medical profession that would demonstrably prevent his carrying out the duties implicit.
My own memories of the epoch lead me to the verdict that both the political leaders of the day, as well as the current movie-makers, had, finally, to settle for far less a solution than they would have wished.
If you see only one film this year, let it be “The King’s Speech”.