His Majesty was all powerful and all knowing. But he wasn't quite all there.
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.
Log it
Sign in to log this.
Character
Classical in form, meticulous and prestige.
- classical in formformally daring
- rawmeticulous
- unpretentiousprestige
- character-ledplot-driven
- contemplativerelentless
Who loves it, who doesn't
31 profiled raters. Loved most by The Prestige Hunters; disliked most by The Omnivores.
Where do you stand?
Answer first; then see how everyone, and your circle, split.
“Does it take too many liberties with the true story?”
Sign in to answer.
Be the first to answer.
“Is this Nicholas Hytner's best work?”
Sign in to answer.
Be the first to answer.
“Is it funnier than it is smart?”
Sign in to answer.
Be the first to answer.
Ask the title
A yes-or-no question, answered from what people wrote here, on TMDB and on Wikipedia. Never made up.
Reviews
No reviews yet.
Reviews on TMDB
Written by TMDB members; each links to the original. Not part of Tastebuds's numbers.
- jwon TMDB · Sep 20228/10
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.
Read the whole review on TMDB - CinemaSerfon TMDB · Aug 20237/10
A little like Keith Michell in "Henry VIII and his Six Wives"; this was a role Nigel Hawthorne had perfected earlier (he won an Olivier award for the stage play) and so he took to the cinematic version like a duck to water. This telling of his "madness" is superb - ably reflecting the unpredictable and vacillating behaviour of the King in a plausible and engaging manner. Rupert Everett, Helen Mirren and Ian Holm lead a very capable supporting cast and the incorporation of Handel's wonderful, rousing, Georgian themes adds to this sumptuous, if at times a little overly theatrical, production.
Read the whole review on TMDB
Cast
- Nigel HawthorneGeorge III
- Helen MirrenQueen Charlotte
- Ian HolmWillis
- Anthony CalfFitzroy
- Amanda DonohoeLady Pembroke
- Rupert GravesGreville
- Geoffrey PalmerWarren
- Julian WadhamPitt
- John WoodThurlow
- Rupert EverettPrince of Wales
Crew
- Nicholas HytnerDirector
- Alan BennettScreenplay
- Andrew DunnDirector of Photography
- George FentonOriginal Music Composer
- Tariq AnwarEditor
- David ParfittProducer
- Stephen EvansProducer
Where to watch
Checking availability…
Pairings
Companions we picked from the closest works, and how to take them.
Similar in taste
Closest on the same fourteen dimensions, from everything scored on Tastebuds Other media included when they land close.
Dinner at Eight 193385% alikeClose across the board.
Hair 197978% alikeClose across the board.
Breakfast on Pluto 200577% alikeClose across the board.
Their Finest 201777% alikeClose across the board.
The Lion in Winter 196876% alikeClose across the board.
All About Eve 195075% alikeClose across the board.
The Eyes of Tammy Faye 202175% alikeClose across the board.
Alfie 196675% alikeClose across the board.
Broken Age 201475% alikeGame · Close across the board.
Justified 201073% alikeTelevision · Close across the board.
Often watched with
Recommendations from TMDB. Opening one adds it to Tastebuds
