The Queen

The Queen (2006)

Timing: 1:43 (103 min)

6.956/10
1253

7.574/10
60830

7.3/10
119000

All about film

Video 3

Photo 41

Actors and characters

Release date

2006-09-15

Country

France, Italy, United Kingdom

Production

BIM Distribuzione, Pathé Renn Productions, Granada Productions

Genre

Drama, History

Budget

$15 000 000

Revenue

$123 384 128

Website

http://www.thequeenmovie.co.uk/

Director

Stephen Frears

Actors

Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell, Helen McCrory, Alex Jennings, Roger Allam, Sylvia Syms, Paul Barrett, Tim McMullan, Douglas Reith
All actors and roles (10)

Scenario

Producer

Christine Langan, Tracey Seaward, Andy Harries, Scott Rudin, François Ivernel, Cameron McCracken

Operator

Affonso Beato

Composer

Alexandre Desplat

Artist

Franck Schwarz, Katie Driscoll

Audition

Leo Davis, Vanessa Baker

Editing

Lucia Zucchetti
All team (202)

• Queen Elizabeth II herself refused to watch this film, as she does not wish to relive 'one of the worst weeks of her life' again.
• The jewelry worn by Helen Mirren in the film are exact replicas of the real jewelry of Elizabeth II. For example, in the scene at Diana's funeral, the Queen's jewelry includes: her distinctive three-strand pearl necklace, Queen Victoria's bow brooch, and Queen Mary's button earrings (large pearl earrings topped with tiny diamonds).
• Scenes in the royal chambers were filmed on 35mm film to emphasize their luxury, while scenes from the world of Prime Minister Tony Blair were filmed on 16mm film to make them more like a television picture. This visually highlighted the difference between commoners and the royal family.
• While talking to people personally acquainted with the Queen, Helen Mirren learned that she suffers from obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. It was Mirren who came up with the scene in which the Queen arranges pens on the table in order while on speakerphone during a phone call with Blair. Director Stephen Frears was initially unsure about including this scene, but later admitted that it was a good idea.
• Through a wig and glasses, Helen Mirren easily transformed into the Queen, especially considering her natural resemblance to the monarch. She repeatedly studied the Queen's appearance through photographs and footage, and kept photos of her character in her trailer while working on the film. According to screenwriter Peter Morgan, her portrayal was so convincing that towards the end of filming, members of the creative team, who had previously spoken to Mirren while sitting down, began to stand up straight and keep their hands behind their backs when speaking to her.
• Peter Morgan recreated the events of the first week after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales (1961-1997), based on numerous interviews with anonymous sources close to the Prime Minister and the royal family.