List Price: $19.95You Pay Only: $17.99 You Save: $1.96 (10%)Prices subject to change.
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: Unrated
Binding: DVD
EAN: 9781593752408
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
ISBN: 1593752407
Label: WGBH BOSTON
Manufacturer: WGBH BOSTON
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: WGBH BOSTON
Region Code: 1
Release Date: January 04, 2005
Running Time: 105 minutes
Sales Rank: 16967
Studio: WGBH BOSTON
Theatrical Release Date: 2002
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Editorial Review:
Description:
James Wilby (Gosford Park) and Juliet Aubrey (Middlemarch) portray the reluctant royals who became king and queen of England when Edward VIII gave up the throne for the woman he loved, on Bertie & Elizabeth. Albert, Duke of York, called Bertie, married Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923 after a storybook courtship. Expecting a life of genteel obscurity, they were thrust into the limelight in 1936 when Bertie's older brother, Edward VIII, abdicated to marry the twice-divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson. Shy, modest, and a habitual stutterer, Bertie was crowned King George VI just as his country faced the onslaught of World War II. With the help of his devoted Elizabeth, he rose magnificently to the challenge. Bertie & Elizabeth also stars Alan Bates (Love in a Cold Climate) as Bertie's father, King George V; Eileen Atkins (currently starring with Bates and Wilby in Gosford Park) as his mother, Queen Mary; Charles Edwards as Edward VIII; Amber Rose Sealey as Wallis Simpson; David Ryall as Winston Churchill; Robert Hardy (Lucky Jim) as President Franklin Roosevelt; and Corin Redgrave (Persuasion) as General Bernard Montgomery.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Bertie and Elizabeth
I have so many DVDs about the Royal Family and this is one of the very best! There have been many movies, miniseries, etc that concentrate on the story of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor - this DVD looks at the story from a different perspective.
Rating:  - likable historical drama......
as someone who loves period dramas, but honestly knew nothing about Albert and Elizabeth, the current Queens parents, I picked up this DVD on a whim. I'm glad I did. Bertie and Elizabeth was a very likable period piece. The story of these two quiet royals suddenly thrust into the spotlight after Edwards abdication was portrayed in a gentle, though "warts and all" portrayal. The somewhat negative portrayal of Edward and Wallis Simpson was fascinating. As an American, most of what I'd heard of the affair was somewhat romanticized, "King leaving throne for the woman he loves" and all that. But in this film, the difficult consequences of that choice are more realistically portrayed.
All in all, this film was well done and has piqued my interest in reading up on this time period of British history. The only fault I see with the production was, like other reviewers, I think the production too short. I wish it had been a six hour mini series instead and delved more into the family's life, particularly Elizabeth's and Margaret's lives.
Recommended-4 stars.
Rating: - Likeable and informative
This is a tremendously likeable story of the courtship and lives of HRH Albert, Duke of York, the second son of King George V, and his wife and love of his life, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyons, youngest daughter of the Scottish, Earl of Strathmore. Vivacious Elizabeth caught the eye of Bertie soon after she "came out" into Society and he persued her until she agreed to become his wife. As only the second son, and never in a million years, expecting to be thrust into the spotlight, nervous stammerer Bertie and his gentle wife had foreseen a quiet future as Duke and Duchess of York, living a genteel life with their two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret Rose, but, upon the abdication of Bertie's elder brother David who renounced his title of King Edward V111, in order to marry Wallis Simpson, the family's position was changed irrevocably to that of a major position on the world stage. The family remained in London for the duration of WW2, refusing to be separated, even if it meant that they were in real danger of bombing, and were loved by the people for facing the same dangers and hardship that they did. The strain of his position for which he had never been prepared or trained, almost certainly contributed to the King's early death in 1952, leaving Queen Elizabeth now the Queen Mother and a widow for around 50 years. The costuming in this video was well done and great use was made of actual footage throughout the show... a most enjoyable 120 minutes.
Rating: - Outstanding!
Makes one understand the things that the royal family went through during the abdication crisis.
Rating: - The Spare Heir...George VI... Takes The Reins....Excellent DVD
This review refers to "Bertie & Elizabeth" (DVD/WGBH Boston Video)
This production of "Bertie & Elizabeth" was originally broadcast as part of the "Masterpiece Theatre" series(seen on Public Television). James Wilby and Juliet Aubrey, do a wonderful job of portraying the younger brother and sister-in-law to Edward VIII, who would abdicate his throne to brother Bertie(becoming George VI), in favor of his love for the divorced American, Wallis Simpson.It is probably a good idea to view "Edward and Mrs. Simpson" before this one, as Edward and his love get a pretty harsh going over in this story.
Bertie & Elizabeth are portrayed as "the reluctant" King and Queen of England, both being unprepared to fill their roles. But they rise to the occasion, becoming both capable and adored by the people. Bertie even overcoming his fear of speaking because of a stutter.Adhering to his strict upbringing, he lived the more structured and traditional life of the Royals then his older brother, who even before Mrs. Simpson, was a bit of a Randy prince. Throughout the story we see in them the strengths that they have within them to lead a country through their loyalty and inspiration. Even refusing to leave the palace as it comes under attack during WWII. Then going on to pass on those strengths to their daughter Elizabeth, who has now sat on the throne for over 50 years, since her father's death.
I have to agree with the last reviewer who said, this production(at 1 ... Read More
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