A near-perfect stage-to-screen adaptation (even if they did drop the III off the title to avoid confusing Yank audiences), Nicholas Hytner's royal biopic makes great drama. Alan Bennett's screenplay is deliciously witty and surprisingly historically accurate, Nigel Hawthorne delivers an extraordinary lead performance and there's faultless support from the likes of Helen Mirren, Ian Holm, Rupert Everett, Rupert Graves and Geoffrey Palmer.
DVD Extras:
Commentary by director Nicholas Hytner, featurette, trailer.Succinct interviews with the protagonists gives the six-minute featurette a certain clout (though the pompous American voiceover grates), and the crisp transfer is pleasing. But the real joy here is the fascinating, erudite commentary from Hytner. Combining historical tidbits with the usual on-set stories, this complements the film with real style. A quality package.
