Despite her countless tours, speeches and public appearances, the Queen remained something of an enigma to much of the public during her 70 year reign – a figurehead whose own political views, misgivings and mischievous sense of humour were concealed under a veneer of polite diplomacy and steadfastness. However, over the past few years, there have been a number of documentaries, produced both by public broadcasters and revered filmmakers, that have managed to delve deeper, providing an insight into the real woman beneath the plush ceremonial robes.
As we continue to mourn her passing, we present three compelling films to watch now, which will add to your understanding of the formidable monarch and the indelible impact she’s had on the world.
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By Hayley Maitland
Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen
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Shots of the Queen as a baby being pushed in a pram by her mother; her dancing with her younger sister, Margaret; her showing the camera her engagement ring during Prince Philip’s first extended visit to Balmoral at a time when the couple’s engagement was not yet public – these are just some of the remarkable sequences that make up this BBC documentary, comprised of never-before-seen home movies filmed by members of the royal family as well as the former monarch herself. Interspersed with newsreel footage and set to the Queen’s own voice, with audio taken from a range of speeches given over the course of her reign, it offers a unique and rare glimpse into the life of a carefree princess who was unwittingly thrust into the spotlight. It’s the closest we’ll ever come to seeing the Queen tell her own story.
Available on BBC iPlayer
Elizabeth: A Portrait in Parts
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The final film to have been helmed by the late, great Roger Michell, the director behind Notting Hill, Venus and The Duke, seems poised to become a British classic much like its predecessors: a big-screen tribute to the Queen that encompasses the triumphs, trials and tribulations of her seven decades on the throne. We track her from her wedding to her glittering Coronation, earliest royal tours, interactions with the citizens of a rapidly changing Commonwealth and the assassination attempt made against her in the early ’80s. There’s also a clear-eyed examination of the scrutiny she came under following the death of Princess Diana and the controversies that have swirled around the family since, including those involving Prince Andrew. The result is an almost comprehensive picture of one of the longest reigning monarchs in history and the turbulent nation she has presided over.
Available on Amazon Prime
Elizabeth At 90: A Family Tribute
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Directed by documentarian John Bridcut, narrated by a gruff King Charles III and released by the BBC in 2016 to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday, this fascinating peek behind the curtain is most succinctly described as a royal Gogglebox. It features the former monarch with her children and grandchildren, viewing archival footage of the family at state dinners, on foreign tours, and relishing trips to the seaside and sunny afternoons spent rolling down hills in Balmoral. Cosied up on squishy armchairs in Buckingham Palace, they swap stories, reminisce about their own childhoods and frequently collapse into giggles. It’s a sheer delight with moments of touching poignancy – from the funeral procession of the Queen’s father, George VI, to Lady Sarah Chatto recalling her mother Princess Margaret’s love of singing – and well worth revisiting in the days and weeks to come.
Available on Amazon Prime
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