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Some of the film is based on true events, some is speculation, but it’s all extremely well done. It opens - after a couple of brief foreshadowing scenes that don’t come into play until almost the end - with the Queen in deep mourning after the loss of her beloved Albert. She has refused to make any public appearances, and won’t allow her son, the prince consort, to do so either.
But, three years after Prince Albert’s death, people are starting to be concerned about the Queen. Her depression is casting a gloom over everyone close to her. She doesn’t see anyone other than her family and extensive staff, and she finds her duties, such as they are, onerous. Everyone is in awe of her and she’s known to be quite autocratic. Moreover, there are mutterings in parliament, and in the streets, as politicians discuss the shocking possibility of the UK becoming a republic rather than a monarchy.
Enter John Brown, a highlander whom the Queen’s late husband thought of highly. Billy Connolly is excellent in this role, as a passionate, loyal royalist who would do anything for his queen. The actor is better known for stand-up comedy and more light-hearted roles, and we were very impressed. His role is to take the queen out for rides on a new pony, and at first she isn’t interested in doing anything. But by his persistence - and his plain speaking, at times - she is eventually persuaded to get some fresh air.
I was mildly amused to see that a heavily bearded Geoffrey Palmer plays the queen’s chief advisor, Henry. He does it very well, but it was impossible to forget that he and Judi Dench were co-stars in the excellent ‘As time goes by’ TV series which we watched a few years ago. Another actor who looked familiar to me was Antony Sher who makes an excellent Prime Minister Disraeli. He’s smooth, and verbose, and always knows what to say to each person.
There are a lot of other characters, but only a handful have significant roles. The majority blend into the background, demonstrating the sheer numbers of staff in the palaces, members of parliament or ordinary people in the streets.
There’s not a great deal of story, but sufficient to keep us, once again, engrossed in the film. In addition to an excellent script and believable acting, there are some gorgeous scenic views for the sections set at Balmoral. And I loved the friendship that develops between the Queen and John Brown. She sometimes shouts at him for disrespect, but at other times seems to like being treated as an ordinary person. His utter devotion to her comes through, and his longing to see her returning to good emotional health.
Apparently there were a lot of rumours about this close friendship, although it’s not portrayed in the film as anything more. Nobody seems to know for sure whether their relationship ever moved further; it seems unlikely to me, as she was so devoted to her husband, and he, despite his brash talk, has the deepest respect for the Queen.
It’s all extremely well done, shedding light on the class system and the parliament of the time, too. I loved the scenes where the Queen visits some ordinary people on her estate, much to their embarrassment.
There’s some violence, in a shocking scene which I had entirely forgotten about, and some illness too; I had not remembered at all how the film ends. The rating is PG, probably because there’s nothing sexual portrayed, and only one brief scene of nudity (from behind) in a light-hearted beach scene. I don’t recall any bad language. However, I cannot imagine any children being interested in this film.
Definitely recommended to anyone who likes period drama, or who is interested in Queen Victoria and her era.
Review copyright 2025 Sue's DVD Reviews
