The Queen | 
| Director: Stephen Frears
Actors: Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell, Sylvia Syms, Alex Jennings
Studio: Miramax
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.99
Buy Used: $3.49
You Save: $11.50 (77%)
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Rating:  316 reviews
Sales Rank: 1466
Format: Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), German (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 103 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.7
MPN: DISD52081D
UPC: 786936712414
EAN: 5060002835128
ASIN: B00005JPAO
Theatrical Release Date: 2006
Release Date: April 24, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Used, no case or art. Guaranteed to play.
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Product Description
The provacative story of queen elizabeth ii & a nation in crisis following the untimely tragic death of princess diana. Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 12/26/2008 Starring: Helen Mirren Run time: 103 minutes Rating: Pg13
Amazon.com
Helen Mirren reigns supreme in The Queen, a witty and ingenious look at a moment that rocked the house of Windsor: the week that followed the sudden death of Princess Diana in 1997. Diana's death came at just the same time that Prime Minister Tony Blair (played by the bright Michael Sheen) was settling into his new government--and trying to figure out the delicate relationship between 10 Downing Street and Queen Elizabeth II (Mirren). A large portion of the British population was trying to figure out the Windsors that week, as Elizabeth remained stiff-upper-lip and largely mum about the death of the beloved princess. In Peter Morgan's skillful script, we watch as Blair grows increasingly impatient with the Royals, who are sequestered in their Scottish estate while the public demands some show of grief. Prince Philip (James Cromwell, in good form) clumsily decides to take Diana's sons hunting, while a sympathetically-treated Prince Charles (Alex Jennings) displays some frustration with his mother's eerie calm. None of this conveys how funny the film is, or how deftly it flows from one scene to the next. Director Stephen Frears (Dirty Pretty Things) deserves great credit for that, and for the performances, and for the movie's marvelous sense of well-roundedness; you could see this movie and groan at the cluelessness of the Royals and their outmoded existence, or you might just sympathize with showing reserve in a world that values gross public displays of emotion. But either way, you'll marvel at Mirren, who makes the Queen far more alert and human than one might ever have imagined. --Robert Horton Beyond The Queen 
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| Customer Reviews: Read 311 more reviews...
 The Queen? December 29, 2008
Justin Carlyle (the Midwest)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
A politically correct (and therefore tasteless) look at the British Crown.
It is very disrespectful of the monarchy and the Royal Family, and early on plays up the death of Diana (who was a failure as a wife, mother, and human being). There is nothing to commend this disgusting film.
 Fantastic December 22, 2008
James Buck (Winston-Salem, NC USA)
I had not had the opportunity to see this movie when it was in the theatres. I give it 2 thumbs up. Well acted and interesting.
 Something magical happens when Helen Mirren "becomes" Queen Elizabeth November 28, 2008
Linda Linguvic (New York City)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This 2006 film tells the story of those dark days in 1997 when Princess Diana was tragically killed in a car crash and the world mourned the loss. Queen Elizabeth, however, did not react immediately. Because of the scandal surrounding the Princess's divorce from Prince Charles, royal protocol ruled, and there was a conspicuous silence from Buckingham Palace.
In the role that won her the Academy Award, Helen Mirren's Queen Elizabeth seems absolutely real. Something magical happens and she actually "becomes" her royal highness herself. It's not just that she looks like her; it's much more than that. She has mastered the accent, the nuances, and the fleeting emotion in a self-controlled countenance. She is also humbled and confused but this only comes through in fleeting moments of personal soul searching. Otherwise, she embodies proper behavior as befits the tradition of the monarchy.
Michael Sheen is cast in the role of Prime Minister Tony Blair and the early scenes depict his awkwardness in the presence of the Queen of England. As the story progresses, however, he actually helps her to understand that the world has changed in the fifty years since she was crowned. This is all done very subtlety and I couldn't help be moved by the Queen's personal turmoil.
There were strengths in the screenplay and but there were also weaknesses. A lot of the story was told through newsreels that we have all seen over and over again. Also, we know how it all played out. And so I found myself a bit impatient at the slow pace.
I do recommend this film as I think it shows a particular piece of history and some absolutely superb acting. But it does drag on a bit so try not to be too sleepy when you see it.
 Truth manipulated (details) October 24, 2008
Patrick W. Crabtree (Lucasville, OH USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I want to say up front that Helen Mirren's performance as Queen Elizabeth II in this film is first-class, just superb. In fact, this is the most redeeming facet of the movie.
The story is this: Here, we have an intimate glimpse of Queen Elizabeth II (as well as her husband, the Queen Mother, and Prince Charles) during the window of time just before and during the week or so period of time after Princess Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris. The focal point of the movie is the hostile reaction of the British people toward the Queen's cold attitude in regard to Diana's death.
I need to say up front that I'm a fan neither of The Royals nor of the late Princess -- but I AM interested in hearing all about their endless peccadilloes. In fact, this actuality was one of my disappointments because I thought that this film was about the Queen's entire reign, and it's not. Still, I can't rightfully criticise what the film is NOT about... I just wish that the title had been more explicit.
In any case, right away the Queen and the Windsor-Mountbatten family are portrayed as pretty heartless and rotten, at least by American standards. Following the death of Diana, Prince Charles is also served up to us as a spineless flip-flopper and a witless wimp... okay so far.
At that point, newly-elected Prime Minister Tony Blair begins advising and urging the Queen to relent on her silence and isolation and share in the grief of the British people over Diane's death, a pill that the old sourpuss finds almost impossible to swallow. Still okay so far.
Then, at a turning point in the movie, the producers elect to REDEEM the Queen, just because she came out and sniffed the flowers under extreme political pressure and duress. There was not the first bit of actual remorse in that woman's heart (neither in the film nor in reality!) So, WHY did the film-makers decide to attempt to make her look like a normal human being? I surely have not figured it out!
So, in summary, I found this movie to be manipulative, although I must assert that this device was completely lost on me. I hold the Queen in no higher esteem now (post-film) than I did when she was acting like a witch the day after Diana died, (or even before that.)
As far as the cinematography and the continuity of the film, it was superb. The Producers also shrewdly used some actual footage of Diana and others which was sprinkled throughout the movie. There's a lot of nice scenery in this flick and some really terrific acting. Overall, I was okay on watching this film all the way through but I would not watch it again. With some trepidation, I would slightly recommend it to others.
The Queen October 18, 2008
N. Aylward (Loveland,CO USA)
The Queen is one of the most provocative films of the Royal Family that I've seen in years. It tells the story from the side of the Royal Family during a time of crisis and change in the UK. It was insightful to the problems that the Queen had during this time. The decisions that she had to make were not only stressful but went against the grain of the tradition that she held so dear and also against the era that she grew up in. It also showed that the people as well as Tony Blair knew that the country needed a change. Tony Blair was pivotal in keeping the Queen's image intact. Helen Mirren did an excellent job in portraying Queen Elizabeth II in this remarkable movie. She definitely brought her to life in this film and gave viewers a chance to see that the Queen is genuinely human.
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