The Madness of King George

1994

PG-13

1h 47m

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

247

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Comedy

Drama

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Aging King George III of England is exhibiting signs of madness, a problem little understood in 1788. As the monarch alternates between bouts of confusion and near-violent outbursts of temper, his hapless doctors attempt the ineffectual cures of the day. Meanwhile, Queen Charlotte and Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger attempt to prevent the king's political enemies, led by the Prince of Wales, from usurping the throne.

Directors

Nicholas Hytner

Writers

Alan Bennett(screenplay by)

Alan Bennett(theatre play by)

Stars

Nigel Hawthorne

Helen Mirren

Ian Holm

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Videos1

Trailer
Watch The Madness of King George // TRAILER // (Presented on 35mm in August)

Photos20

Top cast

George III

Queen Charlotte

Willis

Fitzroy

Lady Pembroke

Greville

Warren

Pitt

Thurlow

Prince of Wales

Fox

Baker

Pepys

Mrs Cordwell

Braun

Papandick

Mrs Fitzherbert

Duke of York

Directors

Nicholas Hytner

Writers

Alan Bennett(screenplay by)

Alan Bennett(theatre play by)

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Featured review

8/10

As monarchs go, King George is of the better kind. He's gruff and has annoying quirks, but he cares for people and country. He's neither a cruel tyrant, nor a wasteful peacock - which the prince is. Trouble is, King George is not well any more. In his head. What we can diagnose to be likely porphyria today, was simply madness back then. The Madness of King George has its aspects of tragedy, family drama, intrigue, comedy; but always present are the reflections about politics, power, monarchy and what it is, can be, should be (and whether at all). It presents itself as a period piece, but written as a theatre play in 1994, it is at the same time a contemporary deliberation, with some jibes and jokes about things which seem to never change... in the UK, at least. Viewers in The Colonies might enjoy it as well. I sure did, not least because of the great Nigel Hawthorne, who won the Best Leading Actor BAFTA for this, and plays Mr. King in a very touching way. The not-only-supporting cast is both well known, and gives excellent performances throughout. Very much recommended, if the genre doesn't put you off.

jw27 Sep, 2022