The Queen (2006)
Film · Drama, History
Stream itif you appreciate nuanced character studies and a fascinating glimpse into the mechanics of constitutional monarchy.
A masterfully acted and intimate look at the collision between tradition and modern public expectation during a national crisis. It is a restrained, prestigious drama that finds tension in quiet conversations and the heavy burden of duty.
What it is about
The Queen is an intimate behind the scenes glimpse at the interaction between HM Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony Blair during their struggle, following the death of Diana, to reach a compromise between what was a private tragedy for the Royal family and the public's demand for an overt display of mourning.
Trailer
What The Queen is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this film feels like being a fly on the wall in rooms where the air is thick with unspoken protocol. It is a quiet, meticulously paced drama that finds its intensity in the subtext of polite conversations and the stark contrast between the windswept Scottish Highlands and a grieving London. The mood is sombre and observational, prioritising the internal conflict of its protagonists over grand cinematic gestures.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is essential viewing for anyone fascinated by the intersection of celebrity, power, and the British establishment. However, those seeking a fast-moving political thriller or a sentimental tabloid-style biopic should look elsewhere. While the performances are impeccable, the film is undeniably slow and relies heavily on the viewer’s interest in the minutiae of constitutional duties. Its most honest caveat is that it feels more like a sophisticated stage play than a sweeping historical epic.
The right evening for it
It suits a thoughtful evening when you want something intelligent and well-crafted. It is a sophisticated choice for a quiet night in, particularly if you have the patience for a controlled, prestigious character study.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
Another trailer
Trailer · The Queen (2006) Official Trailer - Helen Mirren Movie HD
How The Queen leaves you
One line on the mood it ends on, with no plot. Some people count that as a spoiler, so it stays hidden until you ask.
You are left with a lingering sense of the profound loneliness inherent in leadership and the difficult friction between ancient tradition and a rapidly changing modern world.
How The Queen ends
Spoilers. The whole ending, in a few lines. Nothing shows until you ask and then confirm.
As public outrage reaches a critical mass, Blair informs the Queen that the monarchy's popularity has plummeted, with a quarter of the country favouring its abolition. Recognising that the world has changed during her reign, the Queen finally yields to Blair's suggestions. She returns to London, pays tribute to Diana in a live television broadcast, and joins the royal family at the public funeral at Westminster Abbey. This shift in attitude successfully quells the nation's agony.
The film ends with a meeting between the Queen and Blair where they discuss the recent controversy. The Queen cautions the prime minister that public opinion is fickle; she warns him that, just as the monarchy was forced to adapt to a new Britain, he may one day find himself facing a similar decline in popular approval.
Summarised by our AI from the plot section of the Wikipedia article, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. This summary is shared under the same licence.
Stills
Images from TMDB.
If you like this, try
Frost/Nixon (2008)
the same focus on a high-stakes psychological duel between public figures
The King's Speech (2010)
the intimate portrayal of the heavy emotional burden of royal duty
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More clips
Clip · The Queen | 'The News Cycle' (HD) - Helen Mirren, James Cromwell | MIRAMAX
The Queen soundtrack
Music by Alexandre Desplat
Awards
The Queen won Best Actress at the Oscars. It also won at the Golden Globes, the BAFTAs, the Screen Actors Guild Awards and Venice.
Oscars
- Won: Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2007
- Nominated: Best Picture · 2007
- Nominated: Best Director · Stephen Frears · 2007
- Nominated: Best Original Screenplay · Peter Morgan · 2007
- Nominated: Best Costume Design · 2006, 2007
- Nominated: Best Original Score · 2007
Golden Globes
- Won: Best Actress (Motion Picture Drama) · Helen Mirren · 2006, 2007
- Won: Best Screenplay · Peter Morgan · 2006
- Nominated: Best Motion Picture (Drama) · 2006
- Nominated: Best Director · 2006
BAFTAs
- Won: Best Film · 2007
- Won: Best Actress in a Leading Role · Helen Mirren · 2007
- Nominated: Best British Film · 2007
- Nominated: Best Direction · 2007
- Nominated: Best Actor in a Supporting Role · 2007
- Nominated: Best Original Screenplay · 2007
- Nominated: Best Editing · 2007
- Nominated: Best Makeup and Hair · 2007
- Nominated: Best Original Music · 2007
Screen Actors Guild Awards
- Won: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role · Helen Mirren · 2007
Venice Film Festival
- Won: Volpi Cup for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Nominated: Golden Lion · 2006
30 other awards and nominationsShow
- Won: Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Film · 2006
- Won: Bodil Award for Best Non-American Film · 2007
- Won: European Film Award for Best Composer · 2007
- Won: Goya Award for Best European Film · 2007
- Won: Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Director · Stephen Frears · 2006
- Won: European Film Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2007
- Won: London Film Critics Circle Award for British Actress of the Year · Helen Mirren · 2007
- Won: Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Won: Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Won: Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Won: Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Won: Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Won: Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Won: Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Won: Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor · Michael Sheen · 2006
- Won: Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Won: Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Won: Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor · Michael Sheen · 2006
- Won: National Board of Review Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Won: National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Won: New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Won: Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Won: Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Won: San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Won: Satellite Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Won: Southeastern Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Won: Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Won: Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor · Michael Sheen · 2006
- Won: Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
- Won: Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress · Helen Mirren · 2006
From Wikidata, which can miss some.
Questions people ask
- Is The Queen an authentic film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Authentic. A masterfully acted and intimate look at the collision between tradition and modern public expectation during a national crisis. It is a restrained, prestigious drama that finds tension in quiet conversations and the heavy burden of duty.
- How long is The Queen?
- The Queen runs 103 min and was released in 2006.
- Where can I watch The Queen in Australia?
- In Australia, The Queen is included with SBS On Demand (free).
- What awards did The Queen win?
- The Queen won Best Actress at the Oscars. It also won at the Golden Globes, the BAFTAs, the Screen Actors Guild Awards and Venice.
- Who composed the music for The Queen?
- The music for The Queen is by Alexandre Desplat.
- Is The Queen worth watching?
- Stream it: if you appreciate nuanced character studies and a fascinating glimpse into the mechanics of constitutional monarchy. IMDb users rate it 7.3 out of 10 from 118,673 votes, Rotten Tomatoes gives it 94%, Metacritic 90 and TMDB users 6.9.
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