The Madness of King George [Blu-ray]

Director: Nicholas Hytner Nicholas Hytner

Overview

Based on Alan Bennett's acclaimed play The Madness of George III, The Madness of King George takes a dark-humored look at the mental decline of King George III of England. The film's story begins nearly three decades into George's reign, in 1788, as the unstable king (Nigel Hawthorne, reprising his stage role) begins to show signs of increasing dementia, from violent fits of foul language to bouts of forgetfulness. This weakness seems like the perfect chance to overthrow the unpopular George, whom many blamed for the loss of the American colonies, in favor of the Prince of Wales (Rupert Everett), but the king's prime minister William Pitt (Julian Wadham) and his wife Queen Charlotte (Helen Mirren) are determined to protect the throne. Doctors are brought in, but the archaic treatments of the time prove of little value. In desperation, they turn to Dr. Willis (Ian Holm), a harsh, unconventional specialist whose unusual methods recall modern psychiatry. Willis struggles to break through to the mad king, treating him with an anger and haughtiness George has never before experienced. Stressing the absurdity of the entire situation, Bennett's witty screenplay emphasizes dry humor over tragedy, even utilizing references to King Lear for comic effect. Hawthorne's fiery yet vulnerable performance received much critical praise, including Best Actor at the British Academy Awards and a nomination for the same at the Oscars.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/31/2017
UPC:	0887090138512
Original Release:	1994
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	Olive
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo, DTS 5.1-Channel Surround Sound]
Language:	English
Time:	1:51:00
Sales rank:	18,616

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Nigel Hawthorne	King George III
Helen Mirren	Queen Charlotte
Ian Holm	Dr. Willis
Rupert Everett	Prince of Wales
Rupert Graves	Greville
Amanda Donohoe	Lady Pembroke
Julian Rhind-Tutt	Duke of York
Julian Wadham	Pitt
Jim Carter	Fox
Geoffrey Palmer	Warren
Charlotte Curley	Amelia
Anthony Calf	Fitzroy
Matthew Lloyd Davies	Papandick
Adrian Scarborough	Fortnum
Janine Duvitski	Margaret Nicholson
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,Baker
Dermot Keaney	Footman
Nick Irons	Footman
Paul Corrigan	Braun
Nick Sampson	Sergeant at Arms
Jeremy Child	Black Rod
Nicholas Selby	Speaker
Barry Stanton	Sheridan
Struan Rodger	Dundas
Caroline Harker	Mrs. Fitzherbert
Iain Mitchell	Farmer
Celestine Randall	Lady Adam
Cyril Shaps	Pepys
Michael Grandage	Amputee
James Peck	Willis' Attendant
Clive Brunt	Willis' Attendant
Fergus Webster	Willis' Attendant
Barry Gillespie	Willis' Attendant
Joe Maddison	Willis' Attendant
Selina Cadell	Mrs. Cordwell
Peter Woodthorpe	Clergyman
Collin Johnson	MP
Roger Ashton-Griffiths	1st MP
Alan Bennett	2nd MP
John Wood	Thurlow
Robert Swann	1st MP
George Fenton	Composer

Technical Credits

Alan Bennett

Nicholas Hytner	Director
Alan Bennett	Screenwriter,Playwright
Stephen Evans	Producer
Celestia Fox	Casting
David Parfitt	Producer
David Crozier	Sound Mixer,Sound/Sound Designer
George Fenton	Musical Arrangement
Mark Cooper	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Adapted for the screen from Alan Bennett's hit London stage production by Bennett himself, The Madness of King George is an ebullient, witty, and surprisingly sympathetic portrait of the insanity of politics and the politics of insanity. Directed with grace and assurance by first-time director Nicholas Hytner, the film manages to strike a balance between scatological irreverence and subdued tenderness in its treatment of its titular subject. Portrayed as both a blundering autocrat and a genuinely disturbed man, George is brought to life by Nigel Hawthorne (who also played him on the stage) in a performance that carries the entire film. He is ably supported by a cast of seasoned performers, most notably Helen Mirren as his long-suffering but loving wife, and Ian Holm as the irascible Dr. Willis, the physician who attempts to treat the king through a variety of unorthodox methods. Hawthorne's scenes with both Mirren and Holm provide the film with its more memorable and lucid moments, and they layer his character with added dimensions. The affectionate interludes between the king and his wife communicate genuine poignancy, while the battle of wills between the king and Dr. Willis provides the film with its centerpiece. At the end of it all, Hawthorne emerges triumphant, his George III scarred but spirited, willing to fight the good fight until he can fight no more. — Rebecca Flint

Barnes & Noble

Adapted for the screen from Alan Bennett's hit London stage production by Bennett himself, The Madness of King George is an ebullient, witty, and surprisingly sympathetic portrait of the insanity of politics and the politics of insanity. Directed with grace and assurance by first-time director Nicholas Hytner, the film manages to strike a balance between scatological irreverence and subdued tenderness in its treatment of its titular subject. Portrayed as both a blundering autocrat and a genuinely disturbed man, George is brought to life by Nigel Hawthorne (who also played him on the stage) in a performance that carries the entire film. He is ably supported by a cast of seasoned performers, most notably Helen Mirren as his long-suffering but loving wife, and Ian Holm as the irascible Dr. Willis, the physician who attempts to treat the king through a variety of unorthodox methods. Hawthorne's scenes with both Mirren and Holm provide the film with its more memorable and lucid moments, and they layer his character with added dimensions. The affectionate interludes between the king and his wife communicate genuine poignancy, while the battle of wills between the king and Dr. Willis provides the film with its centerpiece. At the end of it all, Hawthorne emerges triumphant, his George III scarred but spirited, willing to fight the good fight until he can fight no more.

All Movie Guide