The King’s Speech: An Alternative History

Synopsis: The King’s Speech is a historical drama film by Tom Hooper that is based on a true story. The story is about a man who overcomes his disabilities and weaknesses with the help of the people who believes in him. Prince Albert, the Duke of York and the son of King George V, suffers from stammering and this is why he lacks confidence from delivering a public speech. Prince Albert a.k.a “Bertie” has a very supportive wife never gave up from searching treatments for her husband until the Duchess discovers Logue, an Australian speech therapist, and convinces Bertie to work with him. At first, Bertie was so impatient and he thought that he is hopeless but Logue never gave up on him. They met after Bertie gave a closing speech of the empire exhibition in Wembley, London in favor of his father.

Despite Bertie’s weaknesses and his poor relationship with his father, King George V still counted on him to reign over the country when he dies instead of his elder brother, David the Prince of Wales. This gave Bertie encouragement to cure himself not only because of his father but also for the citizens of his country. Bertie did not want to be a king and David was still chosen to take over the throne when King George V died on the 20^th of January 1936.

The reason why King George V did not want David to be the king is because he is irresponsible of his duties and he will only bring ruin to the family. David wanted to marry Wallis Simpson who was already divorced twice. A king is also the head of the church and fortunately, David already accepted his inability to be the king because a king is not allowed to marry a divorced woman and he chose Wallis Simpson. Bertie has left no choice and he did not want to leave his country hanging on. Logue became more understanding and patient for he believes in Bertie and he will do well for the country.

King George VI offered a speech at the Buckingham Palace right after the declaration of the war with Nazi Germany in September 1939 which will be broadcasted around the world. While delivering his speech, Logue was in front of the king all the time to support and guide him. It ended really well and everyone congratulated him.            

Critique: I researched the historical accuracy of the movie and I found different comments on some websites about it. Some said it was not exaggerated; some said that there are scenes that did not actually happen or there are lines that were not stated in real life; some of the characters in real life were interviewed and they claimed there were scenes that didn’t happen in real life.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/fighting_words/2011/01/churchill_didnt_say_that.html

http://www.royal.gov.uk/HistoryoftheMonarchy/KingsandQueensoftheUnitedKingdom/TheHouseofWindsor/GeorgeVI.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_King's_Speech

Despite these inaccuracies, I still find the artistry/technical level of the story (re)telling very competent and well-done because at first I didn’t care much on the historical aspect of the story but on how King George VI succeeded to help himself, the citizens, and his family and friends. As the movie went on, I got interested on the political aspect of the story especially that it happened in real life. I also liked how they showed the lifestyle of a royal family and how people from different classes treat them. I may have bad impressions about it but at least the movie made me feel something---how life works during the time from the story.


I also find this film very valuable, aside from the personal reflections, because it gives the audience a meme about the British history that also somehow affects the other sides of the world until the present time. Honestly, this film made me discover things during King George’s time and it made me appreciate him. King George VI left a very remarkable and moving legacy for his country, his people during his time and for the people until the time passes by (now and until the future). This movie is a good inspiration for us, people, now and Bertie as a fine role model.


"The King's Speech": In this grave hour, perhaps the most fateful in our history, I send to every household of my peoples, both at home and overseas, this message, spoken with the same depth of feeling for each one of you, as if I were able to cross your threshold and speak to you myself. For the second time in the lives of most of us, we are at war. Over and over again we have tried to find a peaceful way out of the differences between ourselves and those who are now our enemies. But it has been in vain. We have been forced into a conflict, for we are called to meet the challenge of a principle, which, if it were to prevail, would be fatal to any civilized order in the world. Such a principle, stripped of all disguise, is surely the mere primitive doctrine that might is right. For the sake of all that we ourselves hold dear, it is unthinkable that we should refuse to meet the challenge. It is to this high purpose that I now call my people at home, and my peoples across the seas, who will make our cause their own. I ask them to stand calm and firm and united in this time of trial. The task will be hard. There may be dark days ahead, and war can no longer be confined to the battlefield. But we can only do the right as we see the right, and reverently commit our cause to God. If one and all we keep resolutely faithful to it, then, with God's help, we shall prevail. 

Present or Past, it Depends on Us

Technology easily evolves during the modern time. This is one of the major differences between past and modern life. Through technology, people can easily entertain themselves, connect with each other regardless the time difference and distance in between, and gain fame and glory. I think this can also affect the perspective of a person from the past life to modern life. People from the past may have stronger courage than the people from now. As said, technology can connect people without meeting up; even meet new people through technology. This can change one’s courage to show their feelings and let people see who he/she really is. In opposite to past life, a man has no other choice but to test his fate which may result to his dismay or content; at least he was able to show his real personality and intention. Technology may change a person’s attitude and lifestyles but it must not change their minds to make the right decisions in life.

 

Another difference that I have observed between the past and modern life is about women’s aggressiveness to get the one who makes them happy or the man they want to be with. Even if I did not really experience how to live during my mom’s early years, I feel like I can picture it in my mind through stories from my grandparents, from her and my dad. They used to say that women from their age usually stays at home to take care of their younger siblings and do household chores. If they happened to like and get interested to a man, going after him is inappropriate. A well-respected lady must wait for a man who will show his love intentions for her. Still, it depends to the woman if she will accept the man. I find that sad for the part of the women because it seems like they don’t have the right to try their fate with the person they like. But now, it seems like it works the other way around. Women could not be tamed to fight for the person they wanted to be with. I have met women who chase the men they are interested with. They have their own ways to show the man her interest to him. I think it is good to find out that women have finally the nerve to make the first move for themselves but knowing their own “tactics” give me doubts if it is decent or moral to do. I just find some women who act too improperly or lewd. Or maybe, I am just stuck with my mom’s old school styles. Or maybe, it is just my judgment because my personality is just really away from theirs and I would understand them.

To elaborate more on my point of view about today’s technology…  I think it can change one’s personality in different aspects. Aside from the cowardice that was mentioned above, technology can also change one’s socializing abilities. Since technology provides different mediums of connecting people, there is a big possibility that people would choose to talk over one of these mediums because of its accessibility and reliability. With this role and its two disadvantages (lack of cowardice and poor socializing abilities), I can relate this with the stories (Games by Noelle De Jesus, Document by Luis Katigbak, and The Tale of the Spinster and Peter Pan by Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo) that were discussed in my Philippine Literature class even if technology was not yet deeply-felt by the society during the time the stories were written.

In the story, Games, the girl loved to play with his boyfriend by fooling around over the telephone that eventually lamented their relationship. Without the telephone, they would probably have more reason to go out together. In Document by Luis Katigbak, without the computer and the files that the girl writes and the boy reads, it would probably easier for the boy to know the intentions of the girl and give him enough courage to confront the girl. I find the girl’s files a hindrance to shout out their feelings and intentions for each other. Lastly for Cristina’s story, probably the reason why the woman got turned off with the boy is because she is not used to talk to different people with different personalities. In my class, the woman was described as a prim-and-proper lady, a spinster, an OC (obsessive-complusive) woman, and a person satisfied with what she has. These personalities may be the effects of the technology working around her society.

Going back to our contemporary life and regardless the things that I think is bad about technology, I still find it very helpful not only for the people but also to nature. Aside from connecting people, it helps people learn and discover things easily (especially for students), it entertains (through games, social networks, phone applications, videos, etc.), it can help in saving up money, it can save the trees through Learning Management System, and a lot more things. Despite the disadvantages that can change a person, it still shouldn’t be blamed on technology because everything depends on the choices we make that can change us.

Thanks to technology, I am able to share my feelings and thoughts to the world. And thanks to technology, I am now judged by the some persons around the world.