When the British empire exhibition opened, Prince Albert, dukes of York was meant to address a speech to the crowd. He’s so proud of this job with the great exhibition but he has a strong stutter, so this film is about his journey to overcome his stammer. His wife finds a speach therapist called Lionel Logue who is not medically trained but it’s interesting that someone in such a powerful position like a king, doesn’t settle for the best. Logue calls the prince “Bertie” to make it feel less formal.
In the beginning of Lionel’s treatment, he records Bertie reading a book from hamlet, while his ears are covered by the classical music, the earphones drown out other sounds. Lionel gives Bertie the recording as a memento.
King George predicts that the wireless technology will play a significant part in the role of the royal family, I guess kind of like how religion, then technology, the internet has changed our lives.
He tries to read the Christmas message himself, but his attempt was a failure. Later that night he listens to the recording Logue gave him. He’s amazed at the lack of stammer there was in the recording. After hearing how Lionel’s treatment worked, he organises daily treatments. Berties dad dies, & his son recently known as King Edward VIII is next in line to be king. But Bertie is seeking a woman (Wallis Simpson) who has had 2 divorces,& as king, he can’t marry her. Even though Lionel’s methods worked, Bertie still struggles when he is talking to his brother. It looks familiar because I have been in the room, on the sofa where he gets his therapy.
One of my friends when I lived in London lived there, & they called it Portland Place.
Lionel says that Bertie could make a good king, but Bertie considered what he said as treason. Bertie’s brother decides to abdicate, so he can marry Wallis Simpson.
The Archbishop of Canterbury says that Bertie never asked for the churches advice to overcome his problem. Lionel explains to Bertie that he has no physical problems, that it was a mental problem & there were no qualifications that could change his defect, it would just take time & practice.
With war impending, a lot of soldiers were shell shocked. So, more people were going through the same problem that king George was going through, there was more focus on treatment for speech impediments.
On the coronation, Lionel is summoned to Buckingham palace to prepare Bertie for his speech.
Eventually, Lionel is awarded royal Victorian Order because he was always there, instructing King George VI, particularly for his services to helping the king in his speeches during the war. This wasn’t included in the film, just a side note, but Lionel & King George VI remanded friends till the kings death from cancer in 1952.
So this relates to me because I’ve been in the room in my old life, but the new me has 2 carers with speech impediments, one of which has helped me so much in this, so here’s a big shout out to him.