Here are two incredible cheesy movies from 1983 about the royal romance between The Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer.
The first movie, The Royal Romance of Charles and Diana, stars Ms. Catherine Oxenberg and some other guy. It’s so bad, that it’s good.
The second movie, Charles and Diana: A Royal Love Story, stars two people I never heard of before and whose careers have basically died after they starred in this bad made-for-TV movie.
Enjoy!
As some of you may know I am a big film buff especially movies about royalty. Anyway, there are two films that I believe are an absolute must see in the coming months.
First, Kongens Nei (The King’s Choice). Directed by Norwegian writer and director, Mr. Erik Poppe, Kongens Nei tells the true story of the late His Majesty King Haakon VII of Norway and the German invasion of his country on April 9, 1940. The film stars Mr. Jesper Christensen and Mr. Anders Baasmo Christiansen.
The entertainment industry trade paper, Hollywood Reporter, writes that the film focuses on “…the real events that turned a brave man into the people’s King. At the risk of his life Haakon VII stood firm and after three days rejected the Nazi ultimatum, resulting in an air raid designed to kill the King…”
Beta Cinema, the movie’s international disturber, notes that Kongens Nei is the story about:
“…three dramatic days in April of 1940, when the King of Norway is presented with the monstrous ultimatum from the Germans: surrender or die.
With German Air Force and soldiers hunting them down, the royal family is forced to flee from the capital. They decide to go separate ways, not knowing if they’ll ever see each other again. While Crown Princess Märtha leaves Norway with the children to seek refuge in Sweden, King Haakon and Crown Prince Olav stay on to fight the Germans.
After three days of desperately trying to evade the Germans, King Haakon makes his final decision, one that may cost him, his family and many Norwegians their lives.”
Kongens Nei was released on September 23, 2016. Check your local mega theater chain or your independent/alternative cinema such as the Arclight in Los Angeles, California, for show times.
Next, we have the film A United Kingdom starring Ms. Rosamund Pike and Mr. David Oyelowo.
The film, directed by Ms. Amma Asante, tells the true story of the late Prince Seretse Khama of Botswana, later known as Sir Seretse Goitsebeng Maphiri Khama, and his marriage to a British woman named Ruth Williams.
According to the British newspaper, The Guardian, the film is a:
“…true-life tale of unity in the face of cultural apartheid and political expediency remains as relevant as ever in these divided times.
Rosamund Pike is Ruth Williams, a clerk from Blackheath, south London, working in Lloyds of London in 1947, who is swept off her feet by handsome law student Seretse Khama (Oyelowo). Ruth doesn’t know that Seretse is an African king in waiting, leader-to-be of the Bamangwato people of Bechuanaland (later Botswana), the British protectorate to which he is due to return on completion of his studies.
When Seretse proposes, having duly explained his true identity, Ruth imagines a new life away from the misty drizzle of London, a life that, she assures her fiance, will be taken ‘moment by moment – together’.
But when the news of this high-profile black-and-white union reaches neighboring South Africa, whose National party is busy enshrining apartheid in law, the cash-strapped British authorities move first to forbid and then to undermine the marriage, scared of alienating their supplier of cheap gold and uranium. Seretse’s regent uncle, Tshekedi Khama (Vusi Kunene), also refuses to countenance a white queen and a rift develops that threatens to tear apart more than just love.”
A United Kingdom will be released in the United States on February 17, 2017.
Here is the 1945 film entitled, A Royal Scandal, starring Ms. Tallulah Bankhead and Mr. Charles Coburn.
Directed by Mr. Otto Preminger the film is set in 18th century Russia, where the naïve and idealistic lieutenant Chernov meets Empress Catherine the Great who becomes infatuated with him and appoints him Chief of the Imperial Guard.
My favorite line in the movie:
“And, may I add that Your Majesty is looking quite beautiful this morning!”
“Shut up.”
LOL!!
Hope you enjoy the film!
🙂
On Sunday, September 18, 2016, PBS in co-production with the BBC presents Royal Wives at War a one-hour dramatization that reveals new look at England’s abdication crisis of 1936 as seen through the eyes of the two women at its heart.
In a series of dramatized monologues set in 1967, Elizabeth the Queen Mother, played by Ms. Emma Davies, and Wallis Simpson, played by Ms. Gina McKee, look back at events that led King Edward VIII, played by Mr. Nick Waring, to give up the throne for the woman he loved. Combining dramatic reconstructions, archives and a chorus of acquaintances and biographers, Royal Wives at War tells the intimate and moving story of two strong women and the friction that characterized their relationship.
The program not only explores the scandalous love story, but also the emotional impact of the post-abdication fallout: how Wallis regretted a marriage she now couldn’t avoid and how Elizabeth, miserable at becoming Queen Consort, schemed to ostracize and exile both Edward and Wallis. Upon the outbreak of war, the British government was forced to step in, banishing the Windsors to the then-sleepy backwater of the Bahamas. Elizabeth became the power behind the throne during the war years while Wallis lashed out bitterly from afar.
“Royal Wives at War takes a fresh new look at one of Britain’s most dramatic royal moments of the 20th century…” notes Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager of General Audience Programming for PBS. “The brilliant English actresses Emma Davies and Gina McKee give us compelling new portrayals of the friction between the two wives, while also showing us the personal, emotional stakes of the abdication crisis and its aftermath.” In addition to Davies, McKee and Waring, Royal Wives at War features Ms. Emma Campbell-Jones as Thelma Furness and Mr. Richard Harrington as the narrator. Biographers Mr. Andrew Morton, Lady Colin Campbell and Ms. Anne Sebba also are featured in the program.
Royal Wives at War will première on Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 9 P.M. Check your local PBS listing for more information.
With many thanks to Goodman Media for the press photo and release for the information.
Here is the oh-so-cheerful documentary entitled, Inside the Court of Henry VIII, for you to enjoy during this holiday weekend.
Henry VIII is the most iconic king of English history. Part medieval tyrant, part renaissance prince, he ruled over his people as no king of England had ever done before. He took a country salvaged by his father from the wreck of civil war and set over it a single, sovereign ruler. By the end of his reign the power of the Tudor dynasty was absolute — but at a terrible cost. Personally responsible for the death of two of his own wives, along with many of his closest friends and advisors, he is said to have ordered the execution of up to 72,000 Britons. His reign will go down as one of the bloodiest in history.
Legendary writer, producer, and director, Mr. Garry Marshall, is set to direct the upcoming film about Monaco’s first ever Olympic bobslegih team entitled, Royal Ice. Mr. Marshall’s credits include Pretty Woman, Frankie and Johnny, Runaway Bride, The Princess Diaries (including the sequel), Beaches, Happy Days, and of course the mega-hit television show, Joanie Loves Chachi.
Anyway, Royal Ice, originally written in collaboration with His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and Mr. Marc Thomas, will have rewrites by Mr. Marshall. Production is expected to begin sometime in November 2015.
In an interview with trade paper, The Hollywood Reporter, Mr. Sergei Bespalov, Co-CEO of Aldamisa Entertainment which will produce the film, Royal Ice, notes that the story is an:
“…entertaining adventure about teamwork, big dreams and courage, featuring thrilling footage of the sport of bobsledding, as well as a great love story with some close-up looks at the world of Monaco’s royal princely family. It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with the Prince of Monaco and Garry Marshall on the same project…”
In 1987, a then HSH Hereditary Prince Albert II of Monaco established the Fédération Monégasque de Bobsleigh. Unfortunately, the team has never won an Olympic Gold medal. Perhaps one day they will! 🙂
Well, here is the infamous movie that bombed big time during last year’s opening of the 2014 Cannes Film Festival… Grace of Monaco.
But, hurry… this movie may not last much longer on YouTube.
🙂
The Royal Correspondent 