Our Leaders. Ourselves.|Sep. 15, 2006|France|103 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Drama;History
Description: The 1997 general election saw Tony Blair and the Labour Party come into power, driven by a platform of reform and modernization. Just a few months later, Diana, Princess of Wales, tragically died in a car accident in Paris. Her sudden passing created significant challenges for her former husband, Prince Charles, and Prime Minister Tony Blair, as they navigated how to honor a mother of a future king who was no longer a part of the royal family. Queen Elizabeth II questioned whether Blair’s modernization agenda would extend to the monarchy, especially as he urged her to reconsider her stance on funeral arrangements. Meanwhile, Diana’s family, the Spencers, insisted on a private ceremony.
In the media, Diana was celebrated as the “People’s Princess,” sparking an overwhelming wave of public grief. Tributes poured in, with countless floral displays overwhelming Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace, forcing changes to their entrances. The royal family’s senior members remained on holiday at Balmoral, seemingly indifferent to Diana’s societal impact. This perceived lack of acknowledgment led to a sharp decline in their popularity, while Blair’s approval ratings soared as he responded to the public’s frustration with the monarchy’s inaction.
Despite Blair’s efforts to mediate the situation, he faced resistance from the Queen, who dismissed his suggestions as yielding to public hysteria. Both the Queen and Prince Philip were reluctant to express sympathy for Diana or acknowledge the nation’s mourning. However, their private secretaries encouraged Blair to persist in his attempts to shift the royal family’s perspective. As the country continued to grieve, Blair publicly defended the monarchy, but his efforts fell short. His compassion garnered widespread admiration, while the royal family’s perceived indifference fueled public condemnation.
Cast director: Stephen Frears
Cast actor: Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell, Helen McCrory, Alex Jennings, Roger Allam, Sylvia Syms, Paul Barrett, Tim McMullan, Douglas Reith
Original name: The Queen