Main Cast: James Wilby, Juliet Aubrey, Alan Bates, Eileen Atkins, Charles Edwards
Release Year: 2002
Country: UK
Run Time: 120 minutes
Plot
The fascinating story of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth is recounted in this British made-for-TV effort. It all begins in 1920, when the then-Duke of York Albert (James Wilby), known affectionately as Bertie, meets and falls in love with the aristocratic, 19-year-old Elizabeth Bowes-Lytton (Juliet Aubrey). Although their marriage makes international headlines, the mild, unprepossessing Bertie knows that he will always play second fiddle to his dashing older brother, the Prince of Wales, in the hearts and minds of the British people. This is never more true than when Bertie's brother ascends to the throne as King Edward VIII in 1936. That same year, however, the new King abdicates so that he may marry the woman of his choice, thereby thrusting the reluctant Bertie into the limelight as Monarch of the British Isles. Spurred on by the love and devotion of his lifelong helpmate Elizabeth, Bertie -- now King George -- proves more than worthy of his new burdens and responsibilities, especially during the darkest days of WWII. Although the King passes on in 1952 (a death hastened by his fondness for tobacco), Elizabeth lives well past the century mark, beloved by her subjects as the mother of the future Queen Elizabeth II and the impulsive Princess Margaret. A co-production of Carlton Television and PBS, Bertie and Elizabeth was telecast in America as part of the Masterpiece Theater anthology on February 4, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Amber Rose Sealey - Wallis Simpson; David Ryall - Winston Churchill; Michael Elwyn - Logue; Oliver Ford Davies - Archbishop Lang; Paul Brooke - Tommy Lascelles; Deborah Cornelius - Thelma Furness; Robert Hardy - Franklin D. Roosevelt; Helen Ryan - Queen Wilhelmina; Dennis Lill - Clement Attlee; Simon Day - Robert Wood; Barbara Leigh Hunt - Mabell Lady Airlie; Nicholas Pritchard - HC Davidson; Naomi Martin - Princess Elizabeth (young); Jenna Molloy - Princess Margaret (young); Elisabeth Dermot Walsh - Princess Elizabeth (older); Hannah Wiltshire - Princess Margaret (older); Corin Redgrave - Gen. Montgomery; Gabrielle Lloyd - Alah-Nurse; Peter Eyre - Butler Simpson; David Burke - John Reith; Jeremy Swift - Royal Page; William Micklebrugh - Equerry-James Stuart; Rupert Wickhan - Equerry-Grouse; Osmund Bullock - Pressman at Fort Belvedere; Geoffrey Beevers - Lord Strathmore
Credit
Giles Foster - Director, Rebecca Eaton - Executive Producer, Jonathan Powell - Executive Producer, Michael Whitehall - Executive Producer, Rex Maidment - Cinematographer, Joanna Willett - Producer, Nigel Williams - Screenwriter
Bertie & Elizabeth is a 2002 television film produced by Carlton Television. The film explores the relationship between King George VI and his wife LadyElizabeth Bowes-Lyon (Queen Elizabeth) from their very first meeting to the King's death in the winter of 1952. Bertie and Elizabeth was commissioned especially for the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II and was first broadcast on ITV1 on 4 June2002, only two months after the death of The Queen Mother.
The film begins with the initial meeting between the then Duke of York and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and then moves on through their courtship, marriage, succession to the throne after the abdication of Edward VIII, and World War II.
The film portrays King George VI's struggle to overcome his stammer, the fear he felt towards his father, and the punishing stress the King was placed under during the abdication crisis of 1936.
