When it comes to making movies about the lives of royals, filmmakers often take creative liberties to enhance the drama and intrigue. Here are ten films that didn’t quite stick to all the historical facts.
The Queen (2006)
The Queen explores the aftermath of Princess Diana’s tragic death and the impact it had on Queen Elizabeth II. The film takes creative liberties by imagining private conversations among the royal family, particularly between the Queen and Prime Minister Tony Blair.
It also exaggerates the Queen’s initial indifference to the tragedy, portraying her as somewhat cold and out of touch with public sentiment. For example, in a scene where the Queen is watching the news coverage of Diana’s death, her stoic reaction is emphasized, though it’s unclear how accurate this portrayal is.
The King’s Speech (2010)
The King’s Speech tells the story of King George VI’s struggle with his speech impediment and his relationship with speech therapist Lionel Logue. The film condenses the timeline of events, making it appear as though the King’s progress with Logue occurred over a shorter period than it did in reality.
Additionally, the severity of the King’s stammer is downplayed, with the film focusing more on his triumph over adversity. A notable scene in the movie is when King George delivers his wartime speech, which, although inspiring, may not accurately depict the extent of his stammer at that time.
The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
The Other Boleyn Girl follows the tumultuous story of Anne Boleyn and her sister Mary, as they compete for the affection of King Henry VIII. The film takes several liberties with historical facts, such as changing the birth order of the sisters and portraying an incestuous relationship between Anne and her brother George.
The movie also creates a fictional romance between Mary and King Henry VIII that did not exist in reality. One scene that stands out is when Anne is shown seducing her brother George in order to conceive an heir, which is a highly speculative and controversial interpretation of events.
Elizabeth (1998)
Elizabeth tells the story of Queen Elizabeth I’s early years as a young queen navigating the treacherous world of politics and intrigue. The film takes liberties by oversimplifying the complex religious and political landscape of the time and portraying Elizabeth’s love life as more scandalous than it was historically.
For instance, the film suggests a romantic relationship between Elizabeth and her advisor Robert Dudley, which remains a subject of debate among historians. Another example is the assassination attempt on Elizabeth’s life, which is depicted as a single, dramatic event, while in reality, there were multiple plots against her throughout her reign.
Diana (2013)
Diana focuses on the last two years of Princess Diana’s life, including her relationships with heart surgeon Hasnat Khan and Dodi Fayed. The film has been criticized for its speculative portrayal of Diana’s personal life, particularly her relationship with Khan.
For example, the movie depicts a scene in which Diana wears a disguise to meet Khan at a jazz club, but it is uncertain whether this ever actually occurred. Additionally, the film’s portrayal of Diana as an emotionally unstable and manipulative person has been criticized for its lack of sensitivity and accuracy.
Young Victoria (2009)
Young Victoria chronicles the early years of Queen Victoria’s reign and her romance with Prince Albert. While the film is praised for its beautiful portrayal of the era, it takes liberties with some historical facts. One example is the scene where Prince Albert is shot during an assassination attempt on Queen Victoria.
In reality, there were multiple attempts on her life, but Albert was never injured. Furthermore, the film implies that Victoria and her mother had a deeply strained relationship throughout their lives, while in fact, they eventually reconciled and became close in later years.
The Duchess (2008)
The Duchess tells the story of Georgiana Cavendish, the Duchess of Devonshire, and her tumultuous marriage to the Duke. The film takes liberties with the portrayal of Georgiana’s relationships, particularly her affair with Charles Grey.
The movie implies that the Duke forced Georgiana to give up her illegitimate child with Grey, while historical accounts suggest that she willingly did so. Additionally, the film shows Georgiana and her close friend Lady Elizabeth Foster having a sexual relationship, which remains unproven and speculative.
The Madness of King George (1994)
The Madness of King George is a fictionalized account of King George III’s mental decline and the impact it had on his family and the country. The film simplifies the complex medical history of the King, portraying his condition as a straightforward case of porphyria.
Additionally, the movie takes liberties in depicting the political machinations surrounding the King’s illness, such as the scheming of his son, the Prince of Wales. One example is the scene where the Prince of Wales attempts to have the King declared insane, which is a dramatization of events for the sake of the film’s narrative.
A Royal Night Out (2015)
A Royal Night Out is a romantic comedy that imagines a fictional account of Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret celebrating VE Day incognito amongst the British public. The film takes liberties with historical events by creating an adventurous and romantic narrative for the young princesses.
While it is true that Elizabeth and Margaret were allowed to celebrate the end of the war with the public, the escapades and encounters portrayed in the film, such as Elizabeth’s romance with a young airman, are purely fictional.
Victoria & Abdul (2017)
Victoria & Abdul is based on the true story of the unlikely friendship between Queen Victoria and her Indian servant, Abdul Karim. The film has been criticized for taking liberties with historical facts, such as the depth of the Queen’s relationship with Abdul and the extent of her interest in Indian culture. For example, the movie shows Queen Victoria learning Urdu from Abdul and being deeply fascinated by Indian customs, while historical records suggest that her interest in these aspects was less intense.
MORE FROM LOVED BY CURLS – 25 MOST EMBARRASSING CGI MOMENTS IN MOVIE HISTORY
Movies have the power to transport us to new worlds and amaze us with stunning visuals. However, there are times when even the biggest blockbuster hits fall short in the special effects department. Someone recently asked, “which Blockbuster movie had the worst CGI?” and the internet did not disappoint.
25 MOST EMBARRASSING CGI MOMENTS IN MOVIE HISTORY
27 MOVIES THAT YOU’LL REGRET NOT WATCHING SOONER
With so many great movies out there, it can be tough to decide which ones to watch. A recent internet survey asked, “What’s a movie everyone should watch at least once in their life?” and here are the top 29 answers.
27 MOVIES THAT YOU’LL REGRET NOT WATCHING SOONER
25 MOVIES THAT FAILED TO LIVE UP TO THE TRAILERS
While movie trailers are designed to generate hype and excitement, sometimes the final product fails to live up to expectations. Someone recently asked, “which movie trailer made the movie seem way better than it actually was?”
25 MOVIES THAT FAILED TO LIVE UP TO THE TRAILERS
21 TERRIFYING MOVIES THAT WILL HAUNT YOU FOR WEEKS
Scary movies are sure to send shivers down your spine and make you think twice before turning off the lights at night. A recent internet poll asked, “What is the movie that scared you the most?”
21 TERRIFYING MOVIES THAT WILL HAUNT YOU FOR WEEKS
24 MOVIES EVERYONE SAID WERE BAD BUT ARE ACTUALLY GREAT
Have you ever watched a movie that everyone else said was “bad,” only to find yourself absolutely loving it? Well sometimes, the experts just don’t get it right.
