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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'.

Edward the Seventh: Part One, Episodes 1-6 (1975)

Director: John Gorrie
Starring: Harry Andrews, Annette Crosbie, Robert Hardy, Nigel Havers, Felicity Kendal, Jan...

Directed by John Gorrie ('The Oscar Wilde Collection') this BAFTA-winning drama focuses around the life of Edward VII and the dramas, romances, traged... Read more

Edward the Seventh: Part Two, Episodes 7-13 (1975)

Director: John Gorrie
Starring: Annette Crosbie, Timothy West, Helen Ryan, Felicity Kendal, Derek Fowlds, France...

Directed by John Gorrie (The Oscar Wilde Collection) this BAFTA winning drama focuses around the life of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales and the dramas... Read more

Mary, Queen of Scots (1971)

7.5/10
Director: Charles Jarrott
Starring: Vanessa Redgrave, Glenda Jackson, Timothy Dalton, Patrick McGoohan, Nigel Davenp...

A resplendent historical tale of ambition and betrayal, capturing the intense rivalry between Queen Elizabeth I (Academy Award winner Glenda Jackson)... Read more

Nicholas and Alexandra (1971)

7.3/10
Director: Franklin J Schaffner
Starring: Michael Jayston, Janet Suzman, Harry Andrews, Tom Baker, Michael Bryant, Maurice...

The epic, lavish, yet ultimately tragic true story of Tsar Nicholas II (Michael Jayston), a man who lost an empire because he couldn't say 'no' to his... Read more

Anne of the Thousand Days (1969)

7.5/10
Director: Charles Jarrott
Starring: Genevieve Bujold, Richard Burton, Anthony Quayle, Irene Papas, John Colicos

The ill-fated romance of King Henry VIII of England and his second wife, Anne Boleyn, is recounted in this lavish drama. The king's (Richard Burton) o... Read more

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

A Man for All Seasons ( Blu-ray ) (1966)

7.9/10
Director: Fred Zinnemann
Starring: Corin Redgrave, John Hurt, Leo McKern, Nigel Davenport, Orson Welles, Paul Scofi...

Adapted by Robert Bolt and Constance Willis from Bolt's hit stage play, A Man for All Seasons stars Paul Scofield, triumphantly repeating his stage ro... Read more

A Man for All Seasons (1966)

7.9/10
Director: Fred Zinnemann
Starring: Wendy Hiller, John Hurt, Leo McKern, Paul Scofield, Robert Shaw, Orson Welles, S...

Adapted by Robert Bolt and Constance Willis from Bolt's hit stage play, this is a literate, penetrating treatment of the conflict between Thomas More... Read more

Becket (1964)

8/10
Director: Peter Glenville
Starring: Richard Burton, Peter O'Toole, John Gielgud

Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole star in this grand historical drama adapted from the Jean Anouilh play about the tumultuous relationship of an archbi... Read more

Cleopatra ( Blu-ray ) (1963)

7/10
Director: Joseph L Mankiewicz
Starring: Andrew Keir, Cesare Danova, Elizabeth Taylor, George Cole, Hume Cronyn, Martin L...

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton star in this truly mammoth production filled with spectacle and a cast of thousands. The legendary story of the Qu... Read more