10 very beautiful films about kings and queens

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

In this collection you will find brilliant acting work of Helen Mirren, Timothy Chalamet, Cate Blanchett and their talented colleagues.

1. Henry V: Battle of Agincourt

• Great Britain, 1989.
• Action, drama, melodrama, military, biography, history.
• Duration: 137 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

The young king of England, Henry V, invades France to take the throne and marry Princess Catherine de Valois. As the conquest of foreign lands, Henry's army thinns. But the king's determination helps him to lead the people to a bloody battle - the Battle of Agincourt.

This film is the adaptation of William Shakespeare's play "Henry V" directed by Kenneth Branagh. He is also involved as a leading actor. It is noteworthy that Branagh created film versions of the works of the great playwright even after Henry V. His filmography includes the comedy Much Ado About Nothing and the tragedy Hamlet.

2. Elizabeth

• UK, 1998.
• Drama, biography, history.
• Duration: 124 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 4.

Protestant Elizabeth Tudor becomes Queen of England in 1558. Some of the advisers around her support the ruler, while others are plotting a conspiracy to strengthen Catholicism in the country. Young and inexperienced, she must deal with the unrest in her home country and protect it from threats from Spain and France.

The main role was played by Australian Cate Blanchett. Her performance was awarded the Golden Globe and BAFTA awards, giving the actress the Best Actress award. The film has a sequel - the picture "The Golden Age".

3. Queen

• Great Britain, USA, France, Italy, 2006.
• Drama, biography, history.
• Duration: 103 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

The Queen and her family decide not to publicly mourn the death of Princess Diana. However, neither the public nor the media agree with this decision. Prime Minister Tony Blair understands that this will adversely affect the Queen's image. And he tries to persuade her to make a public speech about Diana's death.

Helen Mirren played the Queen in this film. She did it so amazingly that Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA awarded her as the best actress. The last film award also marked the tape as the best film of the year.

4. Duchess

• Great Britain, Italy, France, USA, 2008.
• Drama, melodrama, biography, history.
• Duration: 105 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 9.

Georgiana Spencer married the Duke of Devonshire. However, her marriage turned out to be torture, because the duke is a traitor and a cynic. The only thing he needs from his wife is the birth of an heir. The Duke starts a relationship with Georgiana's best friend and does not care about his wife. But even this does not prevent her from becoming an influential and noticeable person in society.

The picture is distinguished not only by its excellent acting work (the main characters were played by Keira Knightley and Rafe Fiennes), but also by its artistic design. The Duchess received awards for the best costume design from the Oscar and BAFTA film awards.

The film is based on the events described by Amanda Foreman in the biography Georgina, Duchess of Devonshire. It is noteworthy that the writer created a work based on her doctoral dissertation.

5. King

• Russia, 2009.
• Drama, history.
• Duration: 119 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 8.

Russia, XVI century. At the head of the chaotic country is Ivan the Terrible. Metropolitan Philip, a close friend of the king, is trying to oppose the ruler's cruelty. And for this he is ready to sacrifice even his own life.

Pavel Lungin shot a heavy and deep picture. The main roles are played by Oleg Yankovsky and Pyotr Mamonov. With the latter, Lungin has already worked on the piercing film The Island. As the director himself admits, it was at that time that he got the idea to make a film about Ivan the Terrible - and it was with Mamonov as the sovereign.

6. Young Victoria

• UK, USA, 2009.
• Drama, melodrama, biography, history.
• Duration: 105 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

Princess Victoria is the young heir to the throne. In pursuit of their interests, the mother and uncle, King of Belgium Leopold I, put pressure on the future queen. He sends Prince Albert's younger nephew to the princess to win her favor. However, real feelings flare up between Victoria and Albert. Thanks to the support of her beloved, Victoria makes her way to undivided power and personal freedom.

Costumes corresponding to the era deserve special attention in this film. Each dress of the princess, played by the beautiful Emily Blunt, was insured for 10 thousand pounds. And one outfit was even an exact copy of its prototype - this dress Victoria, worn by her during the first meeting with the council.

7. Royal romance

• Denmark, Sweden, Czech Republic, Germany, 2012.
• Drama, melodrama, biography, history.
• Duration: 137 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

British Princess Caroline is betrothed to King Christian VII of Denmark. She is unhappy in this marriage, since her husband is a madman. Soon Christian has a friend - Dr. Johann Struensee. He is the only one who can influence the king and provoke the introduction of reforms. Caroline falls in love with Johann, and he reciprocates her.

The film was directed by the Danish director Nikolai Arsel, based on the novel "Princess of the Blood" by the writer Bodil Stensen-Let. The film was noticed in the film community: at the Berlin Film Festival it received two honorary prizes, and the Golden Globes and Oscars nominated the Royal Affair for Best Foreign Film.

The adornment of this beautiful and interesting film is the creative tandem of two talented Scandinavian actors - Mads Mikkelsen and Alicia Vikander.

8. Victoria and Abdul

• UK, USA, 2017.
• Drama, biography, history.
• Duration: 111 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 8.

Abdul Karim travels from India to the UK to attend Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. The young servant unexpectedly evokes deep sympathy for the tough ruler, and warm friendships are struck between such different people. Victoria helps Abdul and promotes him in the service, despite the discontent of the environment.

This picture is the work of the great British director Stephen Frears. Earlier, he made a film on a similar theme - the drama "Queen" about Elizabeth II. It is noteworthy that Frears' colleague, the magnificent Judy Dench, also played Victoria in the movie before appearing in the film (Her Majesty Mrs Brown). In the tape "Victoria and Abdul" the actress, despite her years, showed the top of her acting skills.

9. Favorite

• Ireland, UK, USA, 2018.
• Drama, biography, history.
• Duration: 119 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

The beginning of the 18th century. Queen Anne is at the head of England. Sarah's favorite, Duchess of Marlborough, skillfully rules the country with her hands. Sarah's cousin, Abigail, comes to the palace hoping to get a job. The girl gets a job as a maid, but her ambitions are much higher than that. Abigail dodges to summon the Queen's favor and enter aristocratic circles.

"Favorite" was shot by the famous director Yorgos Lanthimos. The handwriting of the Greek, known for the unusual films Fang and The Lobster, is clearly visible in this work. The film, which combines features of comedy and drama, turned out to be absurd, bizarre and tense. Lantimos's work was appreciated: he was nominated for an Oscar in 10 nominations, and also won the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

10. King

• UK, Hungary, USA, Australia, 2019.
• Biography, drama, military, history.
• Duration: 140 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2.

Hel, the wayward heir to the English throne, lives among the commoners. But the ruler dies, and the young man is forced to take his place. The young king deals with the chaos left by his predecessor. And at the same time, he tries to maintain a relationship with his old friend from a past life - the aging knight John Falstaff.

The King is based on the plays of William Shakespeare, but loosely expounds them, rather than filming line by line. Accordingly, the film does not pull on a documentary about the Middle Ages, but you can still learn something useful about that era from it. He is also notable for a strong cast: Timothy Chalamet, Robert Pattinson, Joel Edgerton and others starred in the film.