Anne of the Thousand Days -1969
Anne Boleyn was a hell of a Queen. Her rule was short and certainly did not end sweetly, but who can knock a woman who produced arguably the greatest Queen in our country’s history, Elizabeth I. With a movie tagline like ‘He was King. She was barely 18. And in their thousand days they played out the most passionate and shocking love story in history!’ how could you not love this dramatic factual flick? Starring Richard Burton, the story plays out Henry VIII’s discarding of Queen Catherine of Aragon for a newer model in Queen Anne. But things are not that simple. The church gets very upset by this all and life is hardly picture perfect once Queen.
Shrek – 2001
YES WE INCLUDED SHREK! Shrek is a loveable tale of ogre meets princess. This contemporary fairytale starts with grumpy Shrek discovering his swamp has been overpopulated with fellow evicted fairytale creatures. Finding himself stuck with an annoying sidekick donkey, he sets off to have a word with the perpetrator Lord Farquaad. Things quickly go off point, with Farquaad, who wants to become the King, sending Shrek to rescue Princess Fiona, who is waiting for her one true love. No prizes for guessing what happens, but remember this film really is fun for all, no turned up noses!
Marie Antionette – 2006
Pure eye candy! Austrian duchess, Maria Theresa says to the young Marie “All eyes will be on you” and with a wardrobe and palace like that, how can you take your eyes away! The movie is a little slow and the story could hold more punch, but it takes the crown for most ornate motion picture ever. Based on the life of the Queen of France, we see the sensual frolics and heartbreaks of the doomed ventures at the court of Versailles. Winning an Oscar for costume design in addition to having a fantastic soundtrack, it is a small screen spectacle.
Elizabeth – 1998
This film has an imperial cast consisting of British diamond actors Geoffrey Rush, Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Fiennes and Richard Attenborough. Cate Blanchett holds court as Queen Elizabeth I, where she discovers what it really takes to rule supreme. The movie depicts Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne, the endless attempts to get her to marry, her romance with Lord Dudley and assassination attempts by some very angry Catholics. The strength Blanchett portrays as the Virgin Queen, who really was her own boss amidst endless pressures, makes you proud to be British.
The King and I – 1956
Here is our musical offering in the shape of The King and I. Set in Bangkok, we see Mrs Anna Leonowens enter the royal household all in the name of teaching English. Initially she is not so pleased with her new environment and its restrictions, but then grows attached to the little angels she is teaching so powers through. Her anger vents out towards the king at various point, including the translating Uncle Tom’s Cabin into a Siamese ballet, nasty stuff. At root this is a tale of love, but a not so obvious one.
