Jewels in the Crown

Authors: Jack
Location: Connecticut

“Jewels in the Crown”

Directed by Nicholas Hytner
Written by Julian Fellowes
Music by Philip Glass

Principal Cast:

Keira Knightley- Queen Elizabeth II
Helena Bonham Carter- Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother
Joan Plowright- Queen Mary

Tagline: "I’m not dead yet"

Synopsis: A film about the time right before the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Told from three generations of queens, Mary (Joan Plowright), Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) and Elizabeth (Keira Knightley), the film focuses in on their individual thoughts at the time. Keira Knightley is the young queen coping with her father’s recent death and the epic responsibilities as a new monarch. Helena Bonham Carter is the Queen Mother, trying to adjust to life without her royal husband and not being queen anymore. Queen Mary is dying, and living just long enough to see her granddaughter become queen. While on her deathbed, her dying wish was that the coronation not be postponed. The three women show their thoughts and feelings after the death and before the coronation.

What the press would say:

A film that finally shows the thoughts of three queens from three generations. Keira Knightley is a young Elizabeth II. She is forceful, yet innocent, not yet adapted to life as queen. The queen mother (Helena Bonham Carter) is coping with the death of her husband, and she is guiding her young daughter as queen. Probably the best performance of the three is Joan Plowright as Queen Mary. Close to death, she still shows her power. In one scene, her doctor comes to see her. When he gets up to go, she says in a stern voice, “I’m not dead yet!”. He nods and backs away facing her. Fabulous performances.

Award potential:

Best Actress: Knightley
Best Supporting Actress: Bonham Carter, Plowright