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The Queen - Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell, Stephen Frears

Threat advisory: Elevated - Significant risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

When news of the death of Princess Diana, undoubtedly the most famous woman in the world, breaks upon a shocked and disbelieving British public, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) retreats behind the walls of Balmoral Castle with her family, unable to comprehend the public response to the tragedy. For Tony Blair (Michael Sheen), the popular and newly-elected Prime Minister, the people's need for reassurance and support from their leaders is palpable. As the unprecedented outpouring of emotion grows ever stronger, Blair must find a way to reconnect the beloved Queen with the British public.

The Queen draws on scores of interviews with insiders and expert observers for its intimate, revealing and sometimes humorous portrait of a family in crisis and of a new Prime Minister operating at the height of his powers at a time of extraordinary private grief and public sorrow.

Theatrical propaganda posters

Target demographic movie keyword propaganda

Film UK Queen Elizabeth II Princess Diana death Tony Blair history drama public reaction true tragedy monarchy

Persons of interest

Helen Mirren .... HM Queen Elizabeth II
Michael Sheen .... Tony Blair
James Cromwell .... Prince Philip
Sylvia Syms .... HM The Queen Mother
Alex Jennings .... Prince Charles
Helen McCrory .... Cherie Blair
Roger Allam .... Robin Janvrin
Tim McMullan .... Stephen Lamport
Douglas Reith .... Lord Airlie
Jake Taylor Shantos .... Prince William
Dash Barber .... Prince Harry
Mark Bazeley .... Alastair Campbell
Harry Alexander Coath .... Euan Blair
Michel Gay .... Dodi Fayed
Peter Morgan .... Screenwriter
Stephen Frears .... Director

Cinematic intelligence sources

The Queen official movie site
The Queen film production notes
The Queen QuickTime movie trailers
Awards and film festivals:

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS - Oscars) 2007: Won: Performance by an actress in a leading role (Helen Mirren); Nominated: Costume design, Directing, Original score, Best picture, Original screenplay
British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) 2007: Won: Film (Andy Harries, Christine Langan, Tracey Seaward), Actress in a Leading Role (Helen Mirren); Nominated: The Alexander Korda Award for the Outstanding British Film of the Year (Andy Harries, Christine Langan, Tracey Seaward, Stephen Frears, Peter Morgan), The David Lean Award for Achievement in Direction (Stephen Frears), Original Screenplay (Peter Morgan), The Anthony Asquith Award for Achievement in Film Music (Alexandre Desplat), Editing (Lucia Zucchetti), Costume Design (Consolata Boyle), Make-up & Hair (Daniel Phillips), Actor In A Supporting Role (Michael Sheen)
British Independent Film Awards 2006: Won: Best Screenplay (Peter Morgan); Nominated: Best British Independent Film, Best Director (Stephen Frears), Best Actress (Helen Mirren), Best Technical Achievement (Daniel Phillips - Make-up); Alan MacDonald - Production Design)
Hollywood Foreign Press Association (Golden Globes) 2006: Nominated: Best Motion Picture - Drama, Best Actress In A Motion Picture - Drama (Helen Mirren), Best Director - Motion Picture (Stephen Frears), Best Screenplay - Motion Picture (Peter Morgan)
National Board of Review, USA 2006: Won: Best Actress (Helen Mirren)
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2007: Won: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role (Helen Mirren)
Venice Film Festival 2006: Won: FIPRESCI Award - Best Film, Coppa volpi for Best Female Actor (Helen Mirren), Osella for Best Screenplay (Peter Morgan)

See also Elizabeth, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, The king's speech, The Special Relationship
Studios and distributors:

Icon Film Distribution

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

Not only is The Queen a British black comedy, it's a world-shaking tragedy and an intimately human drama, too. There are times when you will laugh in horror at the antics of the Royals and times when you will weep in sorrow. It's a bloody good film.

Helen Mirren does a great impression of both HM Elizabeth II, the proud and dedicated monarch of the world's biggest former empire, and Betty Windsor, hard-pressed mother of four squabbling kids. What makes watching her worthwhile is that she never quite separates the two women: you are always treated to the private thoughts of a public figure and the public actions of a very private woman. Playing off this performance is Michael Sheen as The People's Prime Minister™, Tony Blair. From enthusiastic antagonist to ardent advocate, Michael measures the character's growth through every scene.

The Queen also gives us a look at what goes on behind the scenes in the world of Elizabeth Regina: the plethora of people who stand around waiting for the next royal whim, the idleness of the impossibly wealthy, the introverted nature of the House of Windsor. It's fascinating, like watching a train crash in slow motion. There are times when you want to reach into the silver screen and slap someone.

If you've ever stood in the check-out line at the supermarket looking at gossip magazines then you'll like The Queen.