The Young Victoria (2009)

Director:

Jean-Marc Vallée

Writer (WGA):

Julian Fellowes (written by)

Release Date:

6 March 2009 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | History | Romance

Tagline:

Love rules all

Plot:

A dramatization of the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria's rule, and her enduring romance with Prince Albert. |

Plot Keywords:

Queen Victoria | Character Name In Title

Cast

Emily Blunt	...	Young Victoria
Rupert Friend	...	Prince Albert
Paul Bettany	...	Lord Melbourne
Miranda Richardson	...	Duchess of Kent
Jim Broadbent	...	King William
Thomas Kretschmann	...	King Leopold of Belgium
Mark Strong	...	Sir John Conroy
Jesper Christensen	...	Baron Stockmar
Harriet Walter	...	Queen Adelaide
Jeanette Hain	...	Baroness Lehzen
Julian Glover	...	Duke of Wellington
Michael Maloney	...	Sir Robert Peel
Michiel Huisman	...	Ernest
Genevieve O'Reilly	...	Lady Flora Hastings
Rachael Stirling	...	Duchess of Sutherland

MPAA:

Rated PG for some mild sensuality, a scene of violence, and brief incidental language and smoking.

Runtime:

Germany:100 min (European Film Market)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Certification:

Ireland:PG | USA:PG | Finland:K-7 | Netherlands:12 | Singapore:PG | Portugal:M/12 | Norway:7 | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | South Korea:All | Japan:G | UK:PG | Sweden:7 | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Arundel Castle, Arundel, West Sussex, England, UK

Company:

GK Films

Trivia:

Producer Sarah Ferguson's daughter, Princess Beatrice of York, has a small role in the film as one of Victoria's ladies in waiting. Beatrice is a great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Prince Albert was not injured in the attack on the Queen, as is depicted in the film.

Quotes:

Lord Melbourne: Your Highness, there's your opening if you'll take my advice...
Prince Albert: Lord Melbourne, forgive me but you seem to have confused me with a member of your club. I am not your drinking companion nor your whist partner. I am the husband of your sovereign. And as such, I will make my own decisions, and I neither seek nor invite your advice. Good evening.

Movie Connections:

Version of Victoria & Albert (2001) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Only You

A warm and moving love story, beautifully acted by Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend

Despite some reviews being distinctly Luke-warm, I found the story totally engrossing and even if some critics have described the love story as 'Mills and Boon', so what? It is good to see a warm, touching story of real love in these cynical times. Many in the audience were sniffing and surreptitiously dabbing their eyes. You really believe that the young Victoria and Albert are passionately fond of each other, even though, for political reasons, it was an arranged marriage. I did feel though that Sir John Conroy, who was desperate to control the young Queen, is perhaps played too like a pantomime villain. As it is rumoured that he was in fact, the real father of Victoria (as a result of an affair with her mother The Duchess of Kent) it would have been interesting to explore this theory. Emily Blunt is totally convincing as the young Princess, trapped in the stifling palace with courtiers and politicians out to manipulate her. She brilliantly portrays the strength of character and determination that eventually made Victoria a great Queen of England, which prospered as never before, under her long reign. I believe word of mouth recommendations will ensure great success for this most enjoyable and wonderful looking movie.