The King's Speech: Difference between revisions

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** This is mainly In-Universe. To his contempories, Logue's methods would have seemed bizarre or foolish, but to a modern audience they seem fairly straightforward. At the time, it seems, no-one except Logue would admit that psychology was involved in a speech disorder and by modern standards, the only other speech therapist that we see looks like a total quack.

* [[Casting Gag]]:

** [[Derek Jacobi]]'s presence has got to be a [[Shout Out]] to ''[[I Claudius]]'', which is about another stuttering monarch, and it might also allude to him being Brother [[Cadfael (TV)|Cadfael]].

** [[Derek Jacobi]]'s presence has got to be a [[Shout-Out]] to ''[[I Claudius]]'', which is about another stuttering monarch, and it might also allude to him being Brother [[Cadfael (TV)|Cadfael]].

** Geoffrey Rush's wife is played by Jennifer Ehle, who was Firth's love interest in [[Pride and Prejudice|the series that made him a heartthrob.]] Although this movie only gives her and Firth a single scene together, they make a big deal out of it.

** And then there's David Bamber's blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance as the amateur dramatics director who rejects Logue. David Bamber is probably best known for playing Cicero on ''[[Rome]]'', yet another statesman with a speech impediment. He also appeared as creepy parson Mr. Collins in ''[[Pride and Prejudice]]'' with Firth and Ehle.

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** Also, the idea of Parliament making a big enough deal objecting to King Edward's wanting to marry his twice divorced girlfriend to resign en masse over it seems an over-reaction to a modern audience, but the fact that she was believed to be a German spy kind of evens it out.

** Not to mention several characters making vaguely xenophobic jibes against Logue's Australian background.

* [[Don't Call Me Sir|Don't Call Me Doctor]]: Lionel Logue is insistent with future King George VI to call him "Lionel" and not "Doctor" {{spoiler|justified: Lionel is not a Doctor, and if you check carefully, he has never once claimed that he was}}.

* [[Don't Call Me "Sir"!|Don't Call Me Doctor]]: Lionel Logue is insistent with future King George VI to call him "Lionel" and not "Doctor" {{spoiler|justified: Lionel is not a Doctor, and if you check carefully, he has never once claimed that he was}}.

* [[Doting Parent]]: One of Albert's most admirable traits. After his coronation, it broke his heart that his beloved little girls did not run to hug him as a father, but coldly and formally bowed to him as a King.

* [[Double Meaning Title]]: Referring to the publicly-important speech George VI delivers at the end, or to his personally-important ''speech'', his way of speaking?

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* [[Head in The Sand Management]]: The former [[Trope Namer]], albeit only glimpsed. Stanley Baldwin and the Duke of Windsor also count.

* [[Head-in-The-Sand Management]]: The former [[Trope Namer]], albeit only glimpsed. Stanley Baldwin and the Duke of Windsor also count.

{{quote| '''David:''' Don't worry, Herr Hitler will sort it out.<br />

'''Albert:''' [impatiently] Yes, [[Who Watches the Watchmen|and who'll "sort out" Herr Hitler?!]] }}

'''Albert:''' [impatiently] Yes, [[Who Watches the Watchmen?|and who'll "sort out" Herr Hitler?!]] }}

* [[Hitler Ate Sugar]]: Averted. George VI is impressed by Hitler's public speaking ability.

{{quote| '''Princess Elizabeth''': What's he saying?<br />

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* [[Reality Subtext]]: The film's writer was himself a stutterer, who took great inspiration from listening to King George's radio addresses, with his parents assuring him the King once stuttered worse than him.

* [[Reluctant Ruler]]: Prince Albert/King George VI. He never wanted the throne, but seeing his wastrel brother screw up and abdicate for a twice divorced and Nazi sympathizer girlfriend, he has no choice in the matter, likewise Edward who is more of the [[Rebel Prince]] variety completely breaks down when he is told that he will be king

* [[Royally Screwed Up]]: George VI and Edward VIII both have a dose of this, thanks to their [[Abusive Parents|abusive father and distant mother]]. The former's speech impediment and nervousness is the result of his unhappy childhood, and it's heavily implied that the latter's weak-will and hedonism is likewise a result of that upbringing.

* [[Royally Screwed-Up]]: George VI and Edward VIII both have a dose of this, thanks to their [[Abusive Parents|abusive father and distant mother]]. The former's speech impediment and nervousness is the result of his unhappy childhood, and it's heavily implied that the latter's weak-will and hedonism is likewise a result of that upbringing.

* [[Royals Who Actually Do Something]]: George VI complains that he has no power as a King, except as being an inspiration for the people such as in giving public addresses, which he has no confidence doing so with his stammer. However, with Lionel Logue's help, he does that role marvelously. This is in contrast with his brother, David, who seems more interested in carrying on with his mistress than being a competent king.

** Furthermore, Bertie earned the rank of Commander in the Royal Navy, and even saw combat during [[World War I]]. The uniform he wears during the final speech is just that, the uniform he wore in the last war.

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* [["Well Done, Son" Guy]]: George V was a bit of a [[Jerkass]] to his kids when they were young, leaving them feeling a bit alienated from him. Unlike most instances of this, by the time the story takes place, George V actually ''does'' approve of the adult Albert/George VI (though still frustrated by his speech problems), certainly compared to his older brother, but past experiences mean that Albert doesn't think he's sincere. In real life he expressed preference for Albert ''and his daughter Elizabeth'' (who was 9 years old at the time) over Edward for the throne toward the end of his life.

** George V's last words were acknowledgments of Bertie as superior to his brothers; which he never actually told Bertie.

* [[Wham Line]]: "What if my husband were the Duke of York?" Cue [[Oh Crap]] look when Lionel Logue finally recognises that he's talking to the Duchess of York.

* [[Wham! Line]]: "What if my husband were the Duke of York?" Cue [[Oh Crap]] look when Lionel Logue finally recognises that he's talking to the Duchess of York.

* [[Where Are They Now? Epilogue]]: A very short one that notes Bertie and Lionel {{spoiler|remained friends for the rest of their lives.}}

* [[The Wise Prince]]: George VI.