Press release: The Queen applauds The King’s Speech
H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth Enjoys Private Screening of Academy Award®-Nominated Film About Her Father, King George VI
New York, NY, February 4, 2011 – The Weinstein Company (TWC) is honored to learn that Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth, has enjoyed a private screening of THE KING’S SPEECH, as reported by Duncan Larcombe, Royal Editor, in today’s edition of The Sun. The film, directed by Tom Hooper and written by David Seidler, tells the story of Her Majesty’s father, King George VI, as he struggles to overcome a crippling speech impediment while grappling with his sudden, unexpected ascension to throne and the mounting danger of Nazi Germany. THE KING’S SPEECH stars Colin Firth as King George VI, Geoffrey Rush as the King’s speech therapist, Lionel Logue, and Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
The Sun article can be found at: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/film/3389840/The-Kings-Speech-is-a-hit-with-The-Queen.html.
THE KING’S SPEECH has been nominated for 12 Academy Awards®, including Best Picture; Best Director; Best Original Screenplay; Best Actor in a Leading Role (Firth); Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Rush); Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Bonham Carter); Best Cinematography; Best Editing; Best Art Direction; Best Original Score; Best Costume Design; and Best Sound Mixing. It is one of the year’s most honored films, with accolades including: SAG Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Cast and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role (Firth); the PGA Award for Outstanding Producer of a Theatrical Motion Picture (Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Gareth Unwin); the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Feature Film (Hooper); and the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture-Drama (Firth).
THE KING’S SPEECH has been seen and admired by many notable public figures, including British Prime Minister David Cameron, who hosted a private screening at his home over the Christmas holidays; Prince Andrew; Lord and Lady William Astor; Lord Edward Spencer-Churchill; and Edwina Sandys, the granddaughter of Winston Churchill (portrayed in the film by Timothy Spall).
Screenwriter David Seidler said, “To learn Her Majesty has seen the film, and was moved, in turn moves and humbles me greatly. When, thirty years ago, the Queen Mother asked me to wait and not tell this story during her lifetime, because the memory of these events was still too painful, I realized the depths of the emotions involved. Now this story has been written and filmed with a great deal of love, admiration, and respect for Her Majesty’s father. That Her Majesty has responded favorably to this, is wonderfully gratifying.”
Said Harvey Weinstein, TWC co-Chairman and executive producer of THE KING’S SPEECH, “On behalf of the director Tom Hooper; the producers, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Gareth Unwin; Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter and our entire ensemble cast: we are deeply honored and humbled by Her Majesty’s appreciation of the film. It was a labor of love for all of us and this is high praise, indeed.”
