ROYALTY ON SCREEN: The Madness of King George (1994)

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ROYALTY ON SCREEN: The Madness of King George (1994)
by Darius Kadivar
12-Nov-2010
 

The Madness of King George is a 1994 film directed by Nicholas Hytner and adapted by Alan Bennett from his own play, The Madness of George III. It tells the true story of George III's deteriorating mental health, and his equally declining relationship with his son, the Prince of Wales, particularly focusing on the period around the Regency Crisis of 1788. Modern medicine has suggested that the King's symptoms were the result of acute intermittent porphyriaA meditation on power and the metaphor of the body of state, based on the real episode of dementia experienced by George III ( now suspected a victim of porphyria, a blood disorder ). As he loses his senses, he becomes both more alive and more politically marginalized; neither effect desirable to his lieutenants, who jimmy the rules to avoid a challenge to regal authority, raising the question of who is really in charge.
The Madness of King George directed by Nicholas Hytne and Starring Nigel Hawthorne in the title role and co-stars Helen Mirren, Rupert Everett and Ian Holm.
Official Trailer:


The Prince of Wales' ruse:
  George III signs papers and irritates his prime minister Mr. Pitts:
 
Meeting Dr. Willis: The Petitioners-Assassination Attempt on the King's life: Reciting Shakespeare's King Lear has curative results on the King's mind:  
Plot:
 
The film depicts the relatively primitive medical practices of the time and the suppositions that physicians made in their efforts to understand the human body. The King's doctors attempt cures such as blistering and purges. Meanwhile, another of the King's physicians, Dr. Pepys, analyses the King's stool and urine believing that body wastes may contain some clue to the Royal malady. Finally, Lady Pembrooke recommends Dr. Willis, an ex-minister who attempts to cure the insane through behaviour modification. None of the three methods of treatment entirely cures the King; eventually his illness abates.
 
Related Blogs:
 
ROYALTY ON SCREEN: Robert Downey Jr. in "RESTORATION" (1995)
 
ROYALTY ON SCREEN: Madonna's Bio Epic Romance on Edward VIII & Wallis Simpson (Due 2011)
 
  ROYALTY ON SCREEN: Colin Firth in "The King's Speech" (2010)

 
THE KING's SPEECH: Press Conference with Cast and Crew at BFI 2010

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The British royal family, closely related to the rest of European royal families suffer from a rare genetical disorder which can cause mild to severe madness.  Rumour has it that prince charles is the latest victim of this disease. His choice of mistress (now his wife I believe) is cited as the proof. 

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It would be equally amusing

by Sargord Pirouz on

It would be equally amusing to see a persian version, with the Shah losing his head on cancer and having the gall and lack of good sense to imprison his most ardent supporters. Yeah, and the (second) cowardly runaway from the country would also be good for laughs.