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The Madness of King George

  • 1994
  • PG-13
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
20K
YOUR RATING
Nigel Hawthorne in The Madness of King George (1994)
When King George III goes mad, his Lieutenants try to adjust the rules to run the country without his participation.
Play trailer2:10
1 Video
99+ Photos
BiographyComedyDramaHistory

When King George III goes mad, his Lieutenants try to adjust the rules to run the country without his participation.When King George III goes mad, his Lieutenants try to adjust the rules to run the country without his participation.When King George III goes mad, his Lieutenants try to adjust the rules to run the country without his participation.

  • Director
    • Nicholas Hytner
  • Writer
    • Alan Bennett
  • Stars
    • Nigel Hawthorne
    • Helen Mirren
    • Rupert Graves
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    20K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Nicholas Hytner
    • Writer
      • Alan Bennett
    • Stars
      • Nigel Hawthorne
      • Helen Mirren
      • Rupert Graves
    • 79User reviews
    • 37Critic reviews
    • 89Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 16 wins & 19 nominations total

    Videos1

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    Trailer 2:10
    Official Trailer

    Photos114

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    Top cast56

    Edit
    Nigel Hawthorne
    Nigel Hawthorne
    • George III
    Helen Mirren
    Helen Mirren
    • Queen Charlotte
    Rupert Graves
    Rupert Graves
    • Greville
    Amanda Donohoe
    Amanda Donohoe
    • Lady Pembroke
    Charlotte Curley
    • Amelia
    Peter Bride-Kirk
    • Royal Children
    Eve Cadman
    • Royal Child
    Thomas Copeland
    • Royal Child
    Joanna Hall
    • Royal Child
    Cassandra Halliburton
    • Royal Child
    Russell Martin
    • Royal Child
    Natalie Palys
    • Royal Child
    Rupert Everett
    Rupert Everett
    • Prince of Wales
    Julian Rhind-Tutt
    Julian Rhind-Tutt
    • Duke of York
    David Leon
    • Footman
    Martin Julier
    • Footman
    Anthony Calf
    Anthony Calf
    • Fitzroy
    Matthew Lloyd Davies
    • Papandiek
    • Director
      • Nicholas Hytner
    • Writer
      • Alan Bennett
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews79

    7.219.6K
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    Featured reviews

    tfrizzell

    Nigel Hawthorne's Crowning Achievement.

    The late Nigel Hawthorne received his only Oscar nomination for his outstanding role of King George III of England who developed a mental disorder that created chaos for the the nation's leader in the 1700s. His wife (Helen Mirren in an Oscar-nominated role) cannot cope and it turns out that no one can really help the king as the medical profession just lacked the modernism necessary to assist. Ian Holm is a genuine scene-stealer as the physician who uses some unorthodox methods to try and cure the titled character. Nigel Hawthorne, who sadly passed away recently, was one of the truly great actors of his time and this was his finest role. 4 stars out of 5.
    bob the moo

    A great fun story full of colourful characters and performances

    Already upset by the loss of America to independence, King George III of England's position is made more difficult by the onset of an illness that causes him to act wildly and babble uncontrollably. While the Prime Minister places him in the hands of Dr Willis to keep him in power, The Prince of Wales and the leader of the opposition both plan to replace the king with the prince by way of a parliamentary bill.

    Based on the great little play that is historically based, this film went down very well with the awards season since it is very English and well acted. The plot is well written, I'm not sure if it is totally accurate but it is surely based on facts even if it has been coloured for artistic and entertainment reasons. The film embraces both the internal workings of the royal family and the politics of parliament really well; again, it may not be totally true but it is colourful, dissenting and enjoyably. The film is involving but yet still manages to be enjoyable and funny. It is a great story and it is lavishly brought to the big screen in this great production.

    The sets and costumes are really good and establish the period and setting of the story very well, but it is the performances that really make it work. Hawthorne is wonderfully cast and delivers a great performance in the lead - both as the cruel monarch or the madman. He is totally believable all the way and never lets his performance become comical or silly even when it is amusing in delivery. Mirren and Donohoe both have less to do but make impacts in their scenes. Everett, Holm, Wadham and Graves support the film to great effect, their performances are colourful, impacting and very enjoyable.

    Overall, historical films will quite often be viewed as lifeless, dull and overlong. Here this film goes against all those old clichés and is lively, colourful and enjoyable. The rich sets and costumes add value to some great performances in an engaging story that is very enjoyable.
    8Marty-G

    "I have you in my eye, Sir"

    A great performance from Nigel Hawthorne makes this movie very enjoyable. His portrayal of the 'Mad King' is in turns entertaining, poignant, sharp, and commanding. The rest of the cast back him up well. The conversion from stage play to screen works well here... the production design is excellent, and the direction is dynamic enough to ensure that the movie never drags. Best of all though is Alan Bennett's script which is full of wonderfully comic and intelligent soundbites. This is a sumptuous period drama which is never too intense, but at the same time never too pithy, and it makes for very pleasant viewing. The film never takes itself too seriously or gets bogged down - after all, what other 18th century costume drama can boast such lengthy discourse regarding the constitution of a British monarch's fetid stools?
    9SimonJack

    Singular outstanding acting job in a most complex role

    I'm writing these comments about "The Madness of King George" because of the singular outstanding performance by Nigel Hawthorne. This is one of the most versatile roles in films in decades. It surely ranks among the very best of all time. As King George, Hawthorne covers a range of emotions, personalities and temperaments not often found in film roles. His character is a study in transition from the serious to the serene to the silly. It's a role of drama, of hilarity, of ego and stuffiness, of pathos, of sorrow and regret, and of gentleness and kindness. What an exceptional acting job.

    Most often I watch a movie for the whole experience, taking in the plot, characters, acting, scenes and scenery, location, action, intrigue, comedy, tragedy, as a blend of the whole product. All of these weigh in and affect how much I enjoy the film. But half way through this film, I became aware that I was more engrossed in the lead character himself, and the great diversity and excellence of acting on display.

    Others have commented that Hawthorne should have won the Best Actor Academy Award for his role in 1994. While I like Tom Hanks as an actor, I agree that his role in Forrest Gump wasn't anything exceptional. Certainly not on the order of "Mr. King" in "The Madness of King George." Indeed, Hawthorne must have had to work on his role -- even as a consummate actor, if not for the variations of mood and portrayals, at least for the vast amount of lines he had to speak in the film. By comparison, the Forrest Gump role had a very small amount of lines, and those were far less taxing to an actor. Hanks' was a role that seemed more fun and easygoing than a challenge or demand.

    I'm not one to complain about Hollywood (except for the low quality and volume of attempts at humor in the past 20 years), but once in a while I think that many others who make the same observation are right on. Hollywood flops big time in its Oscar choice of an actor, actress or film once in a while. It seems to me that the California-based Academy at times doesn't look as objectively and honestly at films produced outside the U.S. Nothing else produced in 1994 even came close to the outstanding acting by Hawthorne in this first rate film.
    7Doylenf

    Outstanding, impeccable, exquisitely done combination of tragedy and comedy...

    THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE shows us how mad the ruler of England became at some point in time due to an illness doctors knew little about.

    How his illness is treated is at the core of this story, when King George III is assigned a doctor (IAN HOLM) to use whatever means are necessary to restore sanity. All the while, court intrigue has everyone in parliament conspiring about appointing a Regent to take over the King's duties. His son, the Prince of Wales (RUPERT EVERETT) is more then willing to replace his father on the throne.

    Much of it is played for fine comic effect with many nuances and comic timing in spite of the seriousness of the central character's illness. NIGEL HAWTHORNE recreates his London stage role, playing the part of the mad king to perfection. HELEN MIRREN is highly satisfactory as his wife who wants nothing more than to see him make a complete recovery and RUPERT GRAVES is fine in one of the more low-key roles as one of the King's supportive aids.

    As usual in all of these British historical pieces, the settings, costumes, photography, art direction--all are exquisite. The photography is a marvel at suggesting that only candlelight illuminates many of the scenes so that it's like watching a series of fine paintings come to life. Effective use of Handel's music provides solid support throughout.

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    Related interests

    Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)
    Biography
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
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    History

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Many historians believe that George III's mental state was caused by porphyria, a metabolic imbalance that can cause blue urine. However, recent research into his written correspondence suggests bouts of mania, and a common type of medicine at the time could have caused blue urine, leading some to conclude that he had a psychiatric illness.
    • Goofs
      At the end of the film, the Royal Family goes to Saint Paul's Cathedral. A view of the front of the Cathedral shows that the clock in the left-hand tower is missing, but this was as a result of German bombing raids in the early 1940s.
    • Quotes

      [Pitt has given the King some papers to sign]

      George III: What is this? America, I suppose.

      Pitt: No, sir.

      George III: Oh, America's not to be spoken of, is that it?

      Pitt: For your peace of mind, sir. But it's not America.

      George III: Peace of mind! I have no peace of mind. I've had no peace of mind since we lost America. Forests, old as the world itself... meadows... plains... strange delicate flowers... immense solitudes... and all nature new to art... all ours... Mine. Gone. A paradise... lost.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Speechless/Dumb and Dumber/Legends of the Fall/Little Women/Death and the Maiden/The Madness of King George (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      Zadok the Priest
      (uncredited)

      Music by George Frideric Handel (as G. F. Handel)

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    FAQ19

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 28, 1994 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Божевілля короля Георга
    • Filming locations
      • Arundel Castle, Arundel, West Sussex, England, UK(Windsor Castle: exterior)
    • Production companies
      • The Samuel Goldwyn Company
      • Channel Four Films
      • Close Call Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $65,897,768 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $15,238,689
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $65,226
      • Jan 2, 1995
    • Gross worldwide
      • $15,238,689
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 50m(110 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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