"England’s Benevolent King Falls Ill"

None | Light | Moderate | Heavy | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Language | ||||
Violence | ||||
Sex | ||||
Nudity |
What You Need To Know:
THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE garnered nominations for four Academy Awards and won for Best Art Direction. It contains exquisite costumes and beautiful settings. As far as worldview goes, the movie contains a strong, redemptive Christian perspective, given that the King must leave, acknowledge his shortcomings, work to overcome them, and then return to his role as King. However, there is also a significant amount of romanticism, given that the plot involves the King's son taking power from his father. It features scenes of prayer, physical crosses, people reciting the Lord's Prayer, and songs that include the phrase "God save the King." However, due to some of the actions depicted in the movie and the derangement of its characters, it's evident that this movie isn't suitable for children. MOVIEGUIDE® recommends caution for older children and teens.
Content:
More Detail:
THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE is the critically acclaimed 1994 movie based on the play THE MADNESS OF GEORGE III. This story follows the King of Great Britain and his mental health journey. During his life, he suffered from porphyria, a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system. The movie follows his decline in health, efforts to improve it, and his recovery.
The movie starts with a meeting of parliament. The king is preparing for the meeting, getting dressed, and making his way over. Here, his mental decline becomes evident, as he no longer write his speeches anymore. Some attendees say that he’s just a face that doesn’t do anything. They even debate overthrowing him, citing the American Revolution as a precedent. On his way out, while acknowledging civilians, one attempts to stab him. Fortunately, it was with a rounded-tip knife and caused no harm.
After that encounter, we see his life around his family and servants, exposing how deranged King George is. He holds grudges against America, hating that they revolted. He also forced a pregnant lady to stand, even after she requested to sit. Eventually, he goes to bed and writhes in pain. He refuses to be checked by his doctor. From there, his actions become increasingly disturbing. He runs around the castle, forgets the names of his servants, runs outside, goes back inside, grabs a bucket from a woman, urinates, and then continues to run around. During this rampage, his servants take the urine bucket and see that his urine is blue.
During this time, some people wonder if King George is fit to be king. They ultimately land on the idea of impeachment, referred to as regency in the European Parliament. Meanwhile, King George’s mental health continues to decline. He accepts treatment, but this results in a deterioration of his health. So much so that the queen has to look away from him; he has a hard time seeing and hearing and walks around with a cane.
His supporters grew desperate and began searching for a new doctor to help him. They locate one who practices extreme techniques when it comes to treatment. He essentially kidnaps King George and goes to an undisclosed location. The doctor gives him direct orders and demands that King George follow them or face punishment, which includes binding him to a chair and tying his mouth shut.
During the 6 months that the king is away, parliament votes in favor of the regency. However, before they can replace the king, they must pass a bill to prove that the king’s health has improved. As the time for passing the bill draws near, one person visits the king. He reads and acts out Shakespeare, showcasing the king’s improved health. King George rushed back to parliament to demonstrate his significant improvement and resumes control of the country.
THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE is a well-made movie, garnering nominations for four Academy Awards and winning for Best Art Direction. It contains exquisite costumes and beautiful settings. As far as worldview goes, the movie contains a strong, redemptive Christian perspective, given that the King must leave, acknowledge his shortcomings, work to overcome them, and then return to his role as King. However, there is also a significant amount of romanticism, given that the plot involves the King’s son taking power from his father. It features scenes of prayer, physical crosses, people reciting the Lord’s Prayer, and songs that include the phrase “God save the King.” However, due to some of the actions depicted in the movie and the derangement of its characters, it’s evident that this movie isn’t suitable for children. MOVIEGUIDE® recommends caution for older children and teens.