Tuesday, August 08, 2006

The Days Following the Death of Princess Diana

As this years upcoming film Bobby tells a personal story of the 22 people who were at Los Angeles Ambassador Hotel following the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, another movie this year deals with a tragic social figure dying and the days that followed.

The death of Princess Diana in 1997 was a horrible event that shocked the world, particularly the the people of England. And While Princess Diana was really no princess at all (she divorced Prince Charles in 1996) her sudden death on August 31st, 1997 sent the UK into shock.

Directer Stephen Frears (The Grifters, Mrs Henderson Presents) brings a unique and very modern history to life in the movie The Queen which tells the story of the days following the death of Princess Di, particularly as Queen Elizabeth II and Tony Blair try to figure out how to deal with the private tradgedy at a time when the public desire for a large scale event to mourn Princess Diana's death.

It seems rather interesting that a movie who's two main characters: Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) and Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) are both still living, and events from 9 years ago will be attempted to be retold.

James Cromwell plays the part of Prince Phillip and Sylvia Syms plays Her Majesty The Queen Mother. I am sure these characters will certainly be afforded some rich parts to demonstrate their acting skills, particularly the title character played by Dame Helen Mirren.

(Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth pictured top left, Helen Mirren at the 2005 Academy Awards is pictured on the right)

The Film will begins it limited release schedule September 30th, 2006.

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8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like 2 good movies. Such tragic events, and sooo much mystery surrounding both of them!

Glad U stopped by-return anytime!

:)

Grete said...

Martin Sheen as a skinny British guy? I'm VERY curious how he'll pull that off - I've never heard him do any foreign accents... Are there any of his previous movies where he uses one?

Um Naief said...

I'd be interested in seeing both of these movies... Princess Diana died on my birthday, so I'll never forget the day. It was such a sad day.

Paula said...

Umm...MICHAEL Sheen, not Martin Sheen. Phew! That was a close one.

I'll never forget the day Princess Di died, either. I was at TomFest taking a break from all the bands, when a friend came by and said Larry Norman had just announced the accident. Everyone walked around the festival kind of stunned.

RC said...

Grete, it's Michael Sheen not Martin Sheen.

Michael is from Wales and is the long-time boyfriend of Kate Beckinsale (they have a daughter).

Michael has been in a fair number of films, but is highly regarded for his theater work.

AWG said...

I always liked how in the film "Amelie" it took place the day after Di's murder.

Magnus said...

I liked how the film trivialized the event once Amelie found the box in the wall. All do respect to Frears, Di and Her Majesty - Zzzzzzzzzz...

Kimberly Ann said...

this movie is just wierd to me. i was never in to the whole diana thing...