Can he do that?
Absolutely not. But he's going to anyway.
All hell's broken loose.
Can't they carry on privately?
If only they would.
Where does that leave you?
I know my place!
I'll do anything...
in my power to keep my brother on the throne.
Is it that serious?
Your place may be on the throne.
I am not an alternative to my brother.
If you had to you could outshine David...
Don't talk about this!
That's bordering on treason.
I'm just saying you could be King. You could do it!
That is treason!
I'm trying to get you to realise
you need not be governed by fear.
I've had enough of this!
What're you so afraid of?
Your poisonous words!
Why'd you come to me?
You are not some middle class bugger,
who needs elocution lessons so you can chit-chat...
Don't instruct me on my duties!
I'm the son of a .... King...
the brother of a king.
You're the disappointing son of a brewer!
A jumped-up jackeroo from the outback!
You're nobody.
These sessions are over!
It's not because she's an American. That is the least of it.
It's because she is a soon to be a twice divorced American,
and the King as head of The Church of England...
can not marry a divorced woman.
And Sir, I apologize for the nature of this,
according to Scotland Yard,
the King has not always possess exclusive..Rights to Mrs. Simpson's... favours and affections,
sharing them with a married used car salesman, a certain Mr Guy Trundle.
In addition, it is also rumoured...
Hitler's ambassador, Count von Ribbentrop,
sends her 17 carnations every day.
Should your brother continue to
ignore the advice of His Government, He must abdicate.
Otherwise His Government has no choice but to resign.
Prime Minister,
you'd leave the country without a government?
Does the King do what he wants,
or does he do what his people expect him to do?
What's the matter, love?
I'm Just having trouble with a patient.
That isn't like you.. Why?
He's scared... He is afraid with his own shadow.
Isn't that why they come to you?
This fellow could be really somebody great,
and he's fighting me.
Perhaps, he doesn't want to be great.
Perhaps that's what you want.
I might have overstepped the mark.
Apologize,
do you both good.
I'm very sorry, Mr Logue, the Duke is busy.
I'm happy to wait. Or I could come back later.
As I said, the Duke is terribly busy.
Thank you.
The parliament will not support their marriage.
But there were other reasons for concern, Sir.
He was careless with state papers.
He lacked commitment and resolve.
There were those that worried
where he would stand when war comes with Germany .
We're not coming to that?
Indeed we are, Sir.
Prime Minister Baldwin may deny this,
but Hitler's intent is crystal clear.
War with Germany will come,
and we will need a King behind whom we can all stand united.
I fear...my brother is not of
sound mind, at this time.
Have you thought what you will call yourself?
Certainly not Albert, Sir. Too Germanic.
What about George?
After your father? George the sixth.
It has rather a nice continuity to it, don't you think?
David! Thank God.
You look exhausted!
How are you bearing up?
Bertie. The decision's been made.
I am going.
I cannot accept that.
You are in no condition to make that decision.
I'm afraid there's no other way.
I must marry her.
My mind's made up. I'm... sorry.
That's a terrible thing to hear.
David, nobody wants that. I least of all.
" At long last I am able to say, a few words of my own.
I have never wanted to withhold anything, but until now,
it has not been constitutionally possible for me to speak.
A few hours ago I discharged my last duty
as King and Emperor.
Now that I have been succeeded by my brother, the Duke of York
my first words must be to declare my allegiance to him.
This I do with all my heart.
You all know the reasons
which have impelled me to renounce the throne.
But you must believe me, when I tell you
I have found it impossible to carry the
heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties..
as King as I would wish to do
without the help and support of the woman I love...
And I want you to know.
..This decision has been made less difficult to me
by the sure knowledge that my brother,
with his long training in the public affairs of this country...
...and with his fine qualities...
...will be able to take my place forth with
without interruption or
injury to the life and progress of the empire."
I meet you at today...
in circumstances which are -
I'm sure you will love it.
Thank you darling, saddles, Margret.
- Yes mom. - Good boy.
Mama, will we have space for our horses in our new home?
Of course we will, darling, we'll have a palace of rooms.
Curtsey.
Your Majesty.
How was it?
I'm trying to familiarise myself with what a state paper looks like.
A despatch from Mr Baldwin which I don't understand a word of.
David's finances.
The Christmas broadcast -
I think that might be a mistake.
Don't worry about that.
Plans for the Coronation -
I think that's an even bigger mistake.
I'm not a King.
I'm a naval officer.
It's the only thing I know.
I'm not here. I'm not a King.
I'm sorry.
Please...please.
Dear, dear man...
You know... I refused your first two marriage proposals,
not because I didn't love you,
but because I couldn't bear the idea royal life.
Couldn't bear the idea of a life of tours and public duties,
a life that no longer was really to be my own.
But then I thought...
he stammers so beautifully...
they'll leave us alone.
Waiting for a king to apologize, one can wait rather a long wait.
I'm afraid we're slightly late.
This is home. Myrtle's at bridge.
I've made sure the boys are out.
It's lovely.
Absolutely lovely.
May I sit down?
Yes, of course.
Would you like some tea, Ma'am?
Yes. I'll help myself.
Off you go...
Or must I knock your heads together?
Here's your shilling,
I understand...
what you were trying to say, Logue.
I went about it the wrong way.
I'm sorry.
Now here I am.
Is the nation ready for
two minutes of radio silence?
Every stammerer always fears they will fall back to square one.
I don't let that happen.
If I fail in my duty...
David could come back.
I've seen the placards
God save Our King!?
They don't mean me.
Every other monarch in history
succeeded someone who was dead, or just about to be.
My predecessor is not only alive, but very much so.
What a bloody mess!
I can't even give them a Christmas Speech.
Like your Dad used to do?
Precisely.
He's not here anymore.
Yes he is. He's on that shilling I gave you.
Easy enough to give away.
You don't have to carry him around in your pocket.
Or your brother.
You don't need to be afraid of
the things as you were afraid of when you were five.
You're very much your own man, Bertie.
Am I?
Your face is next, mate.
Lionel?
Myrtle!
- Is it alright? - Yes.
Bertie, come here.
- Are you alright, Logue? - Yes.
- Shall we go through? - Trust me. It's important.
What is it?
- Your... Your... - It's your Majesty? The first time.
After that, it's Ma'am,As in Ham, not Malm as in Palm.
I haven't told her about us.
Sit down, relax.
I'm told your husband calls my husband Bertie
and my husband calls your husband Lionel.
I trust you won't call me Liz.
Your Majesty, you may call me Mrs Logue, Ma'am.
Very nice to meet you, Mrs Logue.
Logue, we can't stand here all day.
Yes we can. Look, I need to wait for the right moment.
Logue, you're being a coward!
You're damn right.
Get out there, man!
Hello, Myrtle darling!
You're early. I believe you two have met!
But I didn't think, you know...
King George the Sixth.
It's very nice to meet you.
Will their Majesties be staying to dinner?
We would love to, such a treat, but alas...
a previous engagement. What a pitty.
- Archbishop. - Welcome, your Majesty.
What a glorious tranformation, Sir.
I hope you'll forgive us if we continue our preparations.
And now you will allow me to guide you through the ceremony.
We begin of course at the West door, then into the nave.
I see you all your
pronouncements are to be broadcast, Archbishop.
Ah, yes, wireless is indeed a Pandora's Box.
I'm afraid I also have to permit the newsreel cameras.
The product of which I shall personally edit.
Without momentary hesitation.
This is Doctor Logue of Harley Street.
He's my speech therapist.
- Your Grace. - Had I known
that Your Majesty was seeking assistance
I should've made my own recommendation.
Dr. Logue...
will be attending the Coronation.
Well of course I shall speak with the Dean,
but it was extremely difficult.
I should like the Doctor to be seated in the King's Box.
But members of your Family will be seated there, Sir.
That is why it's suitable.
And now, if you don't mind Your Grace,
we need the premises.
My dear fellow, this is Westminster Abbey!
The Church must prepare his Majesty.
My preparations are equalized in important
With complete privacy, if you don't mind.
Those are my wishes, Your Grace.
I shall place the Abbey at Your majesty's disposal...
this evening. Your Majesty.
I can't believe I'm walking on
Look, he comes again.
tombs of Chaucer and Handel and Dickens.
Everything alright? Let's get cracking.
I'm not here to rehearse, Doctor Logue.
Call me Lionel.
True, you... never... called yourself "Doctor."
I did that... for you.
No training, no... diploma, no... qualifications.
Just a... great deal of nerve.
The star chamber inquisition, is this?
You asked trust and... total equality.
Bertie, I heard you at Wembley.
I was there.
My son Laurie said dad,
do you think you could help that poor man??
What, as a failed actor!?
It's true, I'm not a doctor,
and yes I acted a bit,
Well I recited in pubs and taught elocution in schools.
When the Great War came,
all our Soldiers were returning straight from the front,
a lot of them shell-shocked,
unable to speak
somebody said, Lionel, you're very good at all this speech stuff.
Do you think you can possibly help these poor buggers.?
These poor young blokes had cried out in fear,
no-one was listening to them.
My job was to give them faith in their own voice
and let them know that a friend was listening.
That must ring a few bells with you, Bertie.
You give a very noble account of yourself.
Make inquiries. It's all true.
Inquiries have been made!
You have no idea who I have breathing down my neck?
I vouched for you
and you have no... credentials.
But lots of success!
I can't show you certificate -
there was no training then.
Everything I know I know from experience,
and that war... was some experience.
My plaque says, "L. Logue, Speech Defects."
No Dr., there are no letters after my name.
Lock me in the Tower.
I would if I could!
- On what charge? - Fraud!
With war looming,
you've saddled this nation with a voiceless King.
You destroyed the happiness of my family.
All for the sake of ensnaring a star...
patient you couldn't possibly hope to assist!
It'll be like mad... King George the Third,
there'll be mad King George the stammerer,
who let his people down so badly in their hour of need!
What're you doing? Get up! You can't sit there! Get up!
Why not? It's a chair.
No, that's not a chair, that is... that is...
That is Saint Edward's Chair!
People have carved their names on it.
That chair is the seat on which every King and Queen---
It's held in a place by a large rock!
That's the Stone of Scone yard,
- you are trivialising everything. - You believe such bollocks.
You're trivialising everything!
I don't care how many royal...
- Listen to me. Listen to me! - ...arse have sat in this chair.
- Listen to me... ! - Listen to you?! By what right?
By the divine right, if you must! I'm your King!!!
No you're not! You told me so yourself.
You said you didn't want it.
Why should I waste my time listening to you?
Because I have a right to be heard!
- Heard as what?! - I HAVE A VOICE!!!
Yes you do.
You have such a perservance,
Bertie, you're the bravest man I know.
And you'll make a bloody good king.
What on earth's going on,
- Sir? - It's quite alright, Archbishop.
Mr Logue, you must know
that I found a replacement English specialist
with impeccable credentials.
Hence, your services will no longer be required.
I'm sorry?
Your Majesty's function is to consult and be advised.
And you didn't consult, but you've just been advised.
Now I advise you:
In this personal matter I will make my own decision.
My concern is for the head upon which I must place the crown.
I appreciate that Archbshop, but it's my head!
Your humble servant.
Thank you Bertie.
Shall we rehearse? Come on upon your purge.
Now when you and Elizabeth enter through the West door,
you'll be greeted by the hymn "I was glad when they said onto me"
Actually you won't be that glad,
because they sing it for a very long time.
Then your friend
the Archbishop will ponce up the stairs toward you
and say "Sir, is Your Majesty willing to take The oath"
- "I am willing" - Course you are!
I'm gonna see what it sounds like in the cheap seats
so even your old nanny can hear.
"Will you govern your peoples of Great Britain, Ireland, Canada,
Australia and New Zealand according to their lands and customs"
"I solemnly promise so do so."
Louder! I can't hear you up the back.
"I solemnly promise so do so."
Very good!
"Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy,
to be executed in all your judgements?"
"I will." "I WILL!"
Then there's a very long bit about upholding the faith,
goes on, rubbish, rubbish, rubbish. To which you finally say...
"The things which I have...herebefore promised,
I will perform and keep."
So help me God
And that's all you'll say. Four short responses,
kiss the book and sign the oath and you're King.
Easy.
You nearly crowned him backwards Archbishop!
Someone had removed the thread marking the back of the Crown, Sir.
Try not lose the thread, Archbishop.
Archbishop, we're missing Papa.
Very good, very good. Archbishop.
Well, I hope Your Majesties are thrilled with the result.
You could switch that machine off now.
No, wait, keep going.
Do have a seat, Archbishop.
Papa? Papa, what's he saying?
I don't know, but he seems to be saying it rather well.
Sir, I have asked to see you today
in order to tender my resignation as Prime Minister.
I am so sorry to hear that, Mr Baldwin.
Neville Chamberlain will take my place as Prime Minister.
It's a matter of principal. I was mistaken.
I have found it impossible to believe
that there is any man in the World
so lacking in moral feeling as Hitler,
but the world may be hurled for
a second time into the abyss of destructive War.
Churchill was right all along.
This was always Hitler's intention.
I am many very sorry to leave you in this great time of crisis.
I am very much afraid Sir,
that your greatest test is yet to come.
I am speaking to you from the cabinet room at 10 Downing Street.
This morning the British Ambassador in Berlin
handed the German Government a final note
stating that unless we heard from them by 11 oclock
that they were prepared at once
to withdraw their troops from Poland,
a state of war would exist between us.
I have to tell you now
that no such undertaking has been received,
and that consequently this country is at war with Germany.
At last Sir, here is your speech. You are on air at six.
I've timed it at just under nine minutes.
The wording is fully approved.
The Prime Minister will be joining you for the broadcast
which will go out live across the Nation,
the Empire and to our Armed Forces.
Get Logue here immediately.
- There's the barrage balloons. - Yes.
They got them up there quickly.
Should we pull over and find shelter?
No, go straight on. We'll be alright
- Yes. Sir? - Lionel Logue.
Major Hartley's expecting me. This is my son Laury.
- Thank you, Laurie. - Good luck, Dad.
- The King's Speech. - Thank you, Sir.
We have about forty minutes until the broadcast.
Thank you very much. Thank you.
"there may be dark days ahead, and..."
Try again.
"there may be dark days ahead, and..."
Turn the hesitations into pauses,
and say to yourself, God save the King
I say that continuously, but apparently no one's listening.
Long pauses are good: they add solemnity to great occasions.
Then I'm the solemnest king who ever lived.
And Lionel, if I am to be King... where is my power?
Can I... Can I form a Government?
Can I... Can I levy a tax or declare a war? No!
Yet I am the seat of all authority. Why?
Because the Nation believes that when I speak, I speak for them.
Yet I cannot speak!
Let's take it all again from the top. "In this grave hour"
"In this grave hour" fuck fuck fuck
perhaps the most fateful in our history bugger shit shit
I send to every household of my...
You see "P" Is always difficult, even when I'm singing.
Bounce onto it "A-peoples", not "People".
"A-peoples" ...household of my
peoples both at home and overseas..."
Beaut.
...this message, doo-dah,
"...spoken with the same depth of feeling," doo-dah-dey,
"...for each one of you as if I were able to" shit fuck bugger
cross your threshold and speak to you"
In your head, now: I have a right to be bloody well heard!?
Bloody well heard, bloody well heard, bloody well heard myself!
Now Waltz. Move! Get continuous movement.
"For the second time in the lives of most of us we are at..."
- We are...?Take a pause. - Lionel, I can't do this.
Bertie, you can do it.
- Have a look at the last paragraph. - Bertie, it's time.
- Archbishop. - Your Majesty.
A great moment, Sir.
- Prime Minister. - Your Majesty.
Nice to see you again, so soon.
Good of you to be here, I'm sure you've had rather a busy day.
Let's hope we have no more
interruptions from those damned sirens, Sir.
Or the wretched dogs.
- Congratulations. First Lord of the Admiralty. - Your Majesty.
The long walk.
Good luck, Sir.
I too dread this apparatus.
Had a speech impediment myself, you know.
- I didn't. - Family secret. Tongue-tied.
An operation was considered to be too dangerous.
I eventually made an asset of it.
- Thank you, Mr Churchill. - Sir.
Darling.
- How long, Logue? - Just under three minutes, Sir.
- Mr Wood. - Good luck, Your Majesty.
Mr Wood.
- You'll be decorated, Logue. - I made it cosy.
Some fresh air.
There you are, Darling.
I'm thistle sifter, I've a sieve
of sifted thistles and a sieve on unsifted thistles.
I've a sieve of sifted thistles
and a sieve on unsifted thistles, because I'm...
Bertie, darling, make sure it's not switched on!
Remember the red light will blink four times
and then I've asked them to turn it off,
because we don't want that
evil eye staring at you all the way through.
One minute, sir.
I am sure you will be splendid.
Fourty seconds, Sir.
Logue, however this turns out,
I don't know how to thank you for what you've done.
Knighthood?
Twenty seconds.
Forget everything else and just say it to me.
Say it to me, as a friend.
In this grave hour,
perhaps the most fateful in our history,
I send to every household of my peoples,
both at home
and overseas
this message
spoken with the same depth of feeling
for each one of you
as if I were able to cross your threshold
and speak to you myself.
For the second time in the lives of most of us
we are at... at war.
Over and over again
we have tried to find
a peaceful way out of the differences between ourselves
and those who are now our enemies.
But it has been in vain.
We have been forced into a conflict.
For we are called, to meet the challenge of a principle
which, if it were to prevail,
would be fatal to any civilized order
in the world.
Such a principle,
stripped of all disguise,
is surely the mere
primitive doctrine that might is right.
For the sake of all that we ourselves hold dear,
it is unthinkable that we should refuse to meet the challenge.
It is to this high purpose that I now call
my people at home and my peoples across the seas,
who will make our cause their own.
I ask them to stand calm and firm,
and united in this time of trial.
The task will be hard.
There may be dark days ahead,
and war can no longer be confined to the battlefield.
But we can only do the right as we see the right
and reverently commit our cause to God.
If one and all we keep resolutely faithful to it,
then, with God's help,
we shall prevail.
Very good, Bertie.
You still stammered on the "w"?
Had to throw in a few so they knew it was me.
Congratulations, your Majesty. A true broadcaster.
Thank you, Mr Wood.
Congratulations, your Majesty.
- Congratulations, your Majesty. - Thank you.
Ready.
- Good? - Perfect.
Your first war time speech. Congratulations.
Expect I shall have to do a great deal more.
Thank you, Logue.
Well done, my friend.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
I knew you'd be good.
Thank you, Lionel.
Onwards?
Congratulations, Sir.
Almost did it better than myself, Sir.
Your Majesty, I'm speechless.
Congratulations, Sir.
Gentlemen.
Congratulations, your Majesty.
So how was Papa, Elizabeth?
Halting at first, but you got much better Papa.
Bless you.
- And how about you, Margaret? - You were just splendid, Papa.
Of course I was.
We all ready?
Come on girls.
I did muscle therapy, exercise, relaxation,
but I knew I had to go deeper.