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The Madness of King George [DVD]

Nigel Hawthorne (Actor), Helen Mirren (Actor), Nicholas Hytner (Director) Rated:
PG-13
Format: DVD
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 231 ratings
IMDb7.2/10.0
$8.10
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DVD
June 5, 2001 		—
1
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Genre Performing Arts
Format Closed-captioned, Anamorphic, NTSC, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, Color
Contributor Rupert Graves, Geoffrey Palmer, Charlotte Curley, Rupert Everett, Jim Carter, Amanda Donohoe, Nicholas Hytner, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Alan Bennett, Julian Wadham, Helen Mirren, Ian Holm, Anthony Calf, Nigel Hawthorne See more
Language English
Runtime 1 hour and 47 minutes
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Product Description

Written by Alan Bennett from his stage play and featuring a towering performance by Nigel Hawthorne, and a stunning screen directorial debut (Variety) by Tony Award winner* Nicholas Hytner, this Academy AwardÂ(r)-winning** masterpiece of royal intrigue ispotent, engrossing and thrilling (Los Angeles Times). Just five years after losing the 'rebellious colonies, it appears that England's King George III (Hawthorne) is now losing his mind! Suddenly, the stately monarch is hallucinating, shouting obscenities, behaving lewdly towards the Queen's (Helen Mirren) comelylady-in-waiting and generally becoming a candidate for the lunatic asylum. The palace doctors are baffled, but the Prince of Wales (Rupert Everett), tired of playing the waiting game, conspires to take advantage of the situation. Will the King's supporters be able to restore their monarch's wits before he's stripped of his throne? *1994: Director (Musical), Carousel **1994: Art Direction

Product details

  • Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.85:1
  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.75 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches; 3.2 ounces
  • Director ‏ : ‎ Nicholas Hytner
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ Closed-captioned, Anamorphic, NTSC, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, Color
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 47 minutes
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ June 5, 2001
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ Nigel Hawthorne, Helen Mirren, Ian Holm, Rupert Graves, Amanda Donohoe
  • Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ Spanish, French
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), Unqualified
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ MGM (Video & DVD)
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00005AUJT
  • Writers ‏ : ‎ Alan Bennett
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 231 ratings

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
231 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Stephen M. Kerwick
5.0 out of 5 stars A Splendid Period Film
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2001
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I found Madness to be one of the very best period pieces I have seen. The insights into the working of British government at a time when the Monarchy was in its last stages of real day to day power were very enlightening. Similarly, the parliamentary maneuvering between Pitt the younger's Tories and Charles James Fox's radical Whigs, and their tie ins to competing factions of the Royal Family was simply fascinating. Americans are generally unaware of what a critical point in history this was, as the Foxites were very much in sympathy with the Jacobin regicides in France and the absence of England's opposition to the nouvelle regime there would likely have led to a French republican hegemony in Europe with untold consequences.
I disagree with some of the reviewers here who view George III as a great and good king, but he was certainly not the monster viewed in America either. To the contrary both the film and history demonstrate that he was a rather stodgy, unimaginitive man of mediocre talents but great force of will. When his physiological/psychological disease takes grip, the consequences are shocking, if not quite tragic. The real dramatic impact of the film comes with the effect of changed circumstances on the supporting characters, who take stances on one assumption and wind up surprised and vulnerable when those assumptions are no longer true. The more altruistic that a nonroyal character's behaviour has been, the harder the fall or disillusionment that results. Conversely, the more cynical a character's approach is, the better he or she comes out in the end. This one is really not to be missed, not only for all of these reasons, but also for the wonderful soundtrack of Handel pieces.
9 people found this helpful
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E. Aunan
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Movie
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2019
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Wow...I've watched this movie so many times, then it was totally difficult to find until I ran across it tonight on Prime...it had been so long I couldn't remember anything about it other than I liked it a lot way back when....but within only ONE minute I was smiling and KNEW, YEP, this was the movie I remember and would be one I would like a lot again. AND after watching, I find this one of the most fantastic movies ever --- the cinematography is excellent, the story is excellent, the pace is excellent, the characters and those cast to excellently represent their characters were perfect!! The story is one of historical relevance and yet light, happy, and fun, with very touching, heart wrenching dramatic moments that were played so well and in NO means over the top. I highly recommend this movie. It is a masterpiece.
5 people found this helpful
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PeachyPat
5.0 out of 5 stars Who's sick in the head.........
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2018
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Not the king. He has a physical problem that isn't even know about yet. His mind and personality are out of sync. Finally a doctor that works mind problems and behavior does the trick. Will the king get back his throne before his oldest son takes over. We know the answer but it's great fun watching it all unfold.

The cast is marvelous. The costumes are gorgeous. The acting is stupendous. I love this movie even though I really don't care much for films about any sort of royalty. This one is a beautiful example of all the people brought together for the right script and the right director. There family squabbles, intrigue, a terrible oldest son and a loving wife that all come together to make a lovely and enjoyable movie.
14 people found this helpful
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Patrick W. Crabtree
4.0 out of 5 stars An historical pseudo-comedy... worth renting for a view!
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2010
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I am in no way an enthusiast of either contemporary movies or of comedy films in general but the very idea of this offbeat 1994 presentation appealed to me enough that I bought a copy. (So what I'm really saying is that for those who do like more contemporary works, this flick might easily rate five stars for them.) Perhaps I'll watch it again but I can honestly avow that I did moderately enjoy my first viewing.

The real George III (George William Frederick, 1738-1820) King of England and Ireland, was in fact mad as a Hatter. This affliction was likely brought on as a result of an hereditary blood disease known as porphyria. He was the King who lost the Western Colonies to the American revolutionaries. What the film does NOT allude to is the sorrowful later period of George III's life... and I will leave the topic there to avoid revealing any spoilers.

THE STORY (the film): The Prince of Wales (George III's eldest son) wants to be King, or at least Regent which was pretty much the same thing in terms of personal and political power. He sees his chance to seize ruling authority as his father's public behavior becomes more and more ostentatious and absurd. The film exploits King George's madness by portraying his bawdy antics as humorous events, (at least from the viewer's perspective.) In any case, King George's supporters in Parliament hurriedly find him a doctor of sorts and from that point a desperate race ensues to "cure" his insanity so that he won't be unseated by his mendacious buffoon of a son.

As I mentioned, Hollywood chose to exploit George's insanity for the sole purpose of entertainment, (which of course equates to dollars.) Similar film schemes have been effected on other unfortunate historic souls such as the movie about the badly-demented Howard Hughes,  Melvin and Howard  (1980). Some thoughtful film mogul later produced a more dramatic and respectful film about the eccentric millionaire:  The Aviator (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition)  (2004.) Actually both movies were quite well-done, even if the earlier one might now be viewed by some as politically incorrect. The fact is I don't care a whit about such modern-day cultural trends and I think that the average person is in league with me on that point.

But, getting back to the film under review, it runs for one hour, fifty minutes, is presented in enhanced widescreen, with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 (16:9) -- so, unlike the letterbox format, it completely fills up the viewing area of a widescreen television.

The cinematography of this film is outstanding and the acting is nothing short of superb as are the captivating set locations. If this movie were instead a book it would be a page-turner -- it never drags in the slightest. And as always, Helen Mirren (as Queen Charlotte, George's wife) who seems to pop up in every first-quality film involving the British Royals (such as:  The Queen ) bequeaths us with yet another outstanding performance. Veteran actor Nigel Hawthorne is equally convincing as the irreverent lunatic King. I should additionally mention that if you are a fan of either Handel's  Handel: Water Music  or his  Handel - Royal Fireworks Music · Concerto Grosso "Alexander's Feast" · Overtures / The English Concert · Pinnock , then you're in for a pleasant (and sometimes humorous) experience.

What more can I say? This movie involves some drama and mostly comedy. I don't really need this DVD in my collection (which chiefly consists of old jungle and western serials, 70s mini-series, and black-and-white era mysteries and horrors flicks) so I actually should have rented it instead; however, this DVD can be bought so cheaply at this point that a purchase might end up being the better deal. To save shipping and handling costs (typically four bucks) I would recommend checking at your local video rental outlet where used DVDs are routinely sold, typically in great condition.

Recommended.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Jean Yves Michel
5.0 out of 5 stars Une peinture de la monarchie anglaise hanovrienne
Reviewed in France on August 30, 2015
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Le monde des grands: la famille royale, les députés des Communes
Un roi traumatisé par la perte des colonies d'Amérique du Nord, mais aussi par l'étiolement de l'absolutisme royal battu en brèche par une majorité parlementaire whig.
Le problème central est la maladie (rare et récidivante) du roi et les pratiques médicales (?) du temps
On voit aussi que même un roi peut adorer ses enfants, sauf son héritier, qui espère que la maladie paternelle sera mortelle
3 people found this helpful
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Rachel Merne
5.0 out of 5 stars This was a present - My Mum absolutely loves it! - Happy Customer :)
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 31, 2024
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This was a present - My Mum absolutely loves it! - Happy Customer :)
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BRIDGE
4.0 out of 5 stars Quel roi !!
Reviewed in France on May 18, 2014
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Si cette histoire est vraie et bien le roi Georges fut un bon roi !
Un film qui nous tient en haleine du début à la fin.
Une interprétation magnifiquement jouée!!
Les costumes,les décors sont superbes!!!
J'ai passé un exccellent moment en regardant ce film.
One person found this helpful
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philip gethen
4.0 out of 5 stars Madness of king george
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 16, 2023
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Great
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gemolibre
5.0 out of 5 stars PEUT-ON LIRE CE DVD EN FRANCE ?
Reviewed in France on January 12, 2012
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J'ai effectivement acheté ce DVD que je cherchais depuis longtemps, en ayant vu des extraits sur Youtube et ayant adoré.
Malheureusement, il est enregistré en "zone 1" (Etats-Unis) et il ne passe pas en Europe qui est en "zone 2".
Il est donc illisible ici, et un message s'affiche d'ailleurs à l'écran quand on le place dans le lecteur DVD et qu'on essaie de le visionner : "Lecture impossible - Zone 1".
Je suis vraiment déçue et je me demande s'il n'existerait pas malgré tout un moyen de pouvoir le visionner.
Si quelqu'un a une solution, je l'attends avec impatience !!!!
Merci.
2 people found this helpful
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