Royalty
Around the world, people have a fascination for those born into privilege. And at the top of the heap are those born into royalty, groomed from a young age to take on the responsibilities, and perks, of leadership. From Queen Cleopatra to King Henry VIII to the current Queen of England, filmmakers, like their audiences, have taken a keen interest in what makes these people tick, always trying to expose something of their private lives and challenges, and perhaps even making them seem as human as the rest of us.
Pictured: Queen Bette in 'The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex'.
The Lion in Winter (1968)
8.1/10
Director: Anthony Harvey
Starring: Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins, Peter O'Toole, John Castle, Nigel Terry, Tim...
Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn tear strips off one another in this grand historical drama about 12th Century King Henry II choosing an heir to th... Read more
The Madness Of King George (1994)
7.2/10
Director: Nicholas Hytner
Starring: Nigel Hawthorne, Helen Mirren, Ian Holm, Amanda Donohoe, Rupert Graves, Rupert E...
A film version of Alan Bennett's play about the life of one of Britain's most eccentric kings, George III. After thirty years on the throne, George (N... Read more
The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
6.7/10
Director: Justin Chadwick
Starring: Eric Bana, Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, Kristin Scott Thomas, David Morr...
Outstanding performances highlight this lavish romantic drama chronicling the rivalry between Boleyn sisters Mary (Scarlett Johansson) and Anne (Natal... Read more
The Private Life Of Henry VIII (1933)
7.2/10
Director: Alexander Korda
Starring: Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester, Merle Oberon
Charles Laughton is brilliant as the British monarch, set amid the indulgent atmosphere of the 16th century. Politics, statesmanship and international... Read more
The Private Lives Of Elizabeth And Essex (1939)
7.2/10
Director: Michael Curtiz
Starring: Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Errol Flynn, Donald Crisp, Alan Hale, Vincent...
A colourful and elaborate costume drama featuring fine performances from Bette Davis as an aging Queen Elizabeth I, and Errol Flynn as her flamboyant... Read more
The Queen (2006)
7.3/10
Director: Stephen Frears
Starring: Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell, Sylvia Syms, Alex Jennings
Helen Mirren is a dead ringer for Queen Elizabeth II in Stephen Frear's multiple award-winning film that centres on the aftermath of Princess Diana's... Read more
The Queen ( Blu-ray ) (2006)
7.3/10
Director: Stephen Frears
Starring: Helen Mirren, James Cromwell, Sylvia Syms, Alex Jennings, Michael Sheen
Helen Mirren is a dead ringer for Queen Elizabeth II in Stephen Frear's multiple award-winning film that centres on the aftermath of Princess Diana's... Read more
The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2011)
Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI: Three kings, three reigns, three stories. This three-part series offers a sensitive and endearing portrait of the m... Read more
The Sissi Collection (1990)
Director: Ernst Marischka
Starring: Romy Schneider
The beautiful Romy Schneider stars in three captivating films (plus a prequel) based on the tumultuous life of the beloved Austrian Empress, Sissi. Th... Read more
The Tudors: Season 1 (2007)
8.1/10
Starring: Gabrielle Anwar, Natalie Dormer, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Sam Neill, Jeremy Northam...
Jonathan Rhys Myers stars as a raunchy young King Henry VIII in this epic series chronicling the early years of the infamous monarch's reign. From his... Read more