Bertie and Elizabeth

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, Rovi

Cast

• James Wilby - Albert, the Duke of York
• Juliet Aubrey - Elizabeth
• Alan Bates - King George VI
• Eileen Atkins - Queen Mary
• Charles Edwards - King Edward VIII

Amber 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

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