Two days ago, a group of 25 comprised of adult learners, teachers as well as four teens went to the movies for "The King's Speech", the true story of King George VI's effort to overcome his pronounced stutter. As far as I am concerned, I found the film excellent and would strongly recommend it to all teachers of English and teens.
The film starts in 1925 with Bertie (family name for Albert) struggling to speak before a crowded arena and a radio audience during the British Empire Exhibition. Painful! Embarrassing! Painful and embarrassing not only for himself but for all those who were listening to him and now for us, too, 2011 viewers. His wife, Elizabeth, worried sick about the fact that her husband might face more public humiliation and after so many failed attempts with renowned speech therapists, desperately seeks out an Australian commoner, Lionel Logue, who has set up a speech therapy practice in London. From their conversations - at this point with Mrs Johnson (Lionel is not yet aware of who they really are) and later with Mr Johnson / Duke of York / Bertie, we have some of the finest aspects of this film for teaching / learning such as the insight given to monarchy and history (though some argue the film is not 100% accurate), details of class distinctions, different levels of language or even clothing - these are amazing fields to explore.
From then on, the film focus on the psychological struggle between Bertie and Lionel, his new speech therapist, on his unorthodox yet successful methods, and on their friendship. At the same time, it is becoming clearer that, sooner or later, Bertie will have to make more and more public appearances and speeches. Indeed, George V, (Bertie's father) dies, Edward (Bertie's eldest brother) becomes Edward VIII but soon afterwards abdicates "in order to marry the woman I love" and, reluctantly, Bertie becomes George VI. To have a better idea of the chronology of events depicted in the whole film, have a look:
Oct 31, 1925 - Bertie's / Duke of York's public speech during the London Exhibition
Jan 20, 1936 - death of George V; Edward, George's eldest son and Bertie's brother, becomes Edward VIII
Dec 11, 1936 - abdication of Edward VIII; Bertie becomes George VI
Sep 3, 1939 - "The King's Speech", climax of the film, with Britain entering into war with Germany
(On Feb 6, 1952 George VI dies and his eldest daughter, Elizabeth becomes Elizabeth II, reigning for the last 59 years!)
It is now the year of 1939, September 1939 to be more precise. Hitler occupies Poland and the Allies declare war on Germany. King George VI has to make the speech of his life intended to inspire people in the United Kingdom, overseas in the Empire and in the armed forces. As Britain prepares to go to war, this means speaking for a quarter of the Earth's population or more - including Germany! To do this, his family, his speech therapist and friend are by his side (as they have always been). But, besides them, his staff and household are nervous - as I was - and it is painful to watch the king's anxiety as he walks along those long corridors and rooms as if walking towards his death. After panicking with a three page speech of 6 minutes, the king and his speech therapist are alone in a room previously decorated by Lionel who, as always, helps encourage the nervous king saying "Forget everything else and just say it to me - say it to me, as a friend."
If you wish to listen to the actual 1939 speech, click here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/ww2outbreak/7918.shtml
Have a look as well at this collection of picures by LIFE
http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/54991/george-vi-the-reluctant-king?xid=newsletter#index/0
