If you haven't yet seen The King's Speech, perhaps an historical setup is in order. If not, proceed directly to the review.

This is the true story of Albert, father of the current Queen Elizabeth. Albert was known within the family as Bertie (seen at right). He was the second eldest son of George V, and his wife, Queen Mary.

George V died early in 1936, and his eldest son, David, was the first in line to be the next king, and took the name of Edward VIII. British Royals can, upon ascending to the throne, choose whatever name they wish, just as Popes do.

Edward was having an affair with a married American woman, Wallis Simpson at the time, and the politics and protocol of the day would never allow him to marry the divorcée Wallis. Edward, though never coronated, ruled as king for over two years, but chose to marry Mrs. Simpson, and abdicated the throne.

The next in line for the throne was the reluctant Bertie, and his wife, commoner Elizabeth Bowes-Lyons, whom we recall as the Queen Mother (1900-2002) seen to the right, both in her youth, and in her 90s).

Albert (Bertie) would take the regnal name of George VI (George the Sixth), but he was a stammerer and was very self-conscious about his inability to speak in public. He and his wife had two daughters, Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) and her sister, Margaret, (who died in 2002).

The Queen Mother was aware that this story of her stammering husband would become public someday, but requested that it not be made known until after her death. It was shortly after she passed away in 2002 that the production of this movie began.

Here then is my review of The King's Speech.