Summary
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.
Cast
Nigel Hawthorne
George III
Helen Mirren
Queen Charlotte
Ian Holm
Willis
Anthony Calf
Fitzroy
Amanda Donohoe
Lady Pembroke
Rupert Graves
Greville
Geoffrey Palmer
Warren
Julian Wadham
Pitt
John Wood
Thurlow
Rupert Everett
Prince of Wales
Jim Carter
Fox
Roger Hammond
Baker
Cyril Shaps
Pepys
Selina Cadell
Mrs Cordwell
Paul Corrigan
Braun
Matthew Lloyd Davies
Papandick
Caroline Harker
Mrs Fitzherbert
Julian Rhind-Tutt
Duke of York
Struan Rodger
Dundas
Adrian Scarborough
Fortnum
Barry Stanton
Sheridan
Peter Woodthorpe
Clergyman
Charlotte Curley
Amelia
Peter Bride-Kirk
Royal Child
Eve Cadman
Royal Child
Thomas Copeland
Royal Child
Joanna Hall
Royal Child
Cassandra Halliburton
Royal Child
Russell Martin
Royal Child
Natalie Palys
Royal Child
David Leon
Footman
Martin Julier
Footman
Dan Hammond
Footman
Nicholas Irons
Footman
Nick Sampson
Sergeant at Arms
Jeremy Child
Black Rod
Nicholas Selby
Speaker
Janine Duvitski
Margaret Nicholson
Iain Mitchell
Farmer
Celestine Randall
Lady Adam
Michael Grandage
Amputee
James Peck
Willis' Attendant
Clive Brunt
Willis' Attendant
Fergus Webster
Willis' Attendant
Barry Gillespie
Willis' Attendant
Joe Maddison
Willis' Attendant
Dermot Keaney
Footman
Colin McPhillamy
MP
Roger Ashton-Griffiths
MP
Robert Swann
1st MP
Alan Bennett
2nd MP
Crew
Director
Nicholas Hytner
Screenplay, Theatre Play
Alan Bennett
Reviews
jw
September 27, 2022
8
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.
Media
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$15,238,994.00
