This film is about the relationship between Queen Victoria and her personal servant John Brown. While a few have conjectured that their relationship was closer than is portrayed in the film, no real evidence of his appears to exist. However, the film studio marketed the film that way--as if the film was about some sexual or overly-intimate relations existed. The people who actually made the film did a good job of sticking to facts and were probably horrified by the way the film was advertised.
The film begins a couple years after the death of Prince Albert--Victoria's husband. His death came as a shock, as he apparently contracted Typhoid from eating fruit and died while still a relatively young man. Victoria was so shocked by the death of her beloved husband that she went into deep depression and refused to come out of mourning or assume her regular duties. Eventually, Brown became her servant and slowly eased her out of this depression and became her closest confidant--and amazing thing since he hadn't an ounce of royal blood. Naturally, this caused a stir--royals resented it and the Prime Minister (Disraeli) was irritated that Brown kept the Queen out of the spotlight--staying with her on a very, very prolonged stay at her home at Balmoral, Scotland. Where all this goes next is something you'll need to see for yourself.
As a history teacher, I liked this film as it was more historically accurate than many other films on royalty and British history I have seen (such as "Anne of the Thousand Days", "Mary, Queen of Scots", "The Other Boleyn Girl" and many others). In addition, I like how the film focused on Victoria as a person--a real person with lots of foibles--a rarity in movies. Billy Connelly also did a lovely job as Mr. Brown. I lovely film from start to finish.
By the way, the apparent paranoia that John Smith had throughout the movie was VERY justified. During this same time period, Presidents Lincoln and Garfield were assassinated, as were the Empress of Austria-Hungary, as well as Czar Alexander II--among others. And, unsuccessful attempts were made all the time--including one on the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, Franz-Josef.
The film begins a couple years after the death of Prince Albert--Victoria's husband. His death came as a shock, as he apparently contracted Typhoid from eating fruit and died while still a relatively young man. Victoria was so shocked by the death of her beloved husband that she went into deep depression and refused to come out of mourning or assume her regular duties. Eventually, Brown became her servant and slowly eased her out of this depression and became her closest confidant--and amazing thing since he hadn't an ounce of royal blood. Naturally, this caused a stir--royals resented it and the Prime Minister (Disraeli) was irritated that Brown kept the Queen out of the spotlight--staying with her on a very, very prolonged stay at her home at Balmoral, Scotland. Where all this goes next is something you'll need to see for yourself.
As a history teacher, I liked this film as it was more historically accurate than many other films on royalty and British history I have seen (such as "Anne of the Thousand Days", "Mary, Queen of Scots", "The Other Boleyn Girl" and many others). In addition, I like how the film focused on Victoria as a person--a real person with lots of foibles--a rarity in movies. Billy Connelly also did a lovely job as Mr. Brown. I lovely film from start to finish.
By the way, the apparent paranoia that John Smith had throughout the movie was VERY justified. During this same time period, Presidents Lincoln and Garfield were assassinated, as were the Empress of Austria-Hungary, as well as Czar Alexander II--among others. And, unsuccessful attempts were made all the time--including one on the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, Franz-Josef.