The King's Speech | Rotten Tomatoes

The King's Speech

R

Released Jan 28, 2011

1h 58m

History

Drama

List

94%

Tomatometer

305 Reviews

92%

Audience Score

100,000+ Ratings

England's Prince Albert (Colin Firth) must ascend the throne as King George VI, but he has a speech impediment. Knowing that the country needs her husband to be able to communicate effectively, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) hires Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), an Australian actor and speech therapist, to help him overcome his stammer. An extraordinary friendship develops between the two men, as Logue uses unconventional means to teach the monarch how to speak with confidence.

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Critics Consensus

Colin Firth gives a masterful performance in The King's Speech, a predictable but stylishly produced and rousing period drama.

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Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

Firth strikes a perfect balance between his abrasive traits and the vulnerability that coaxes our empathy.

Nov 29, 2022

Full Review

Donald Clarke

Irish Times

Travel without prejudice and you will enjoy a moving, impeccably acted and surprisingly funny slice of comfort food. There are worse ways of starting an unpromising looking year.

Feb 20, 2019

Full Review

David Gritten

Daily Telegraph (UK)

It's an uplifting audience pleaser that also showcases film-making arts and crafts at an exalted level.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 20, 2015

Full Review

Michael Leader

Den of Geek

A polished, well-rounded drama that subtly and artfully crafts its personal themes.

Rated: 4/5

May 7, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

This is a life-affirming picture about a complex friendship and personal conviction that’s as touching as it is inspiring, and it does all this without feeling cliché or typical.

Rated: 4/4

Aug 3, 2023

Full Review

Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

With impeccable period detail accompanied by a few great performances, The King’s Speech is a crowd-friendly, uncomplicated film with a big heart.

Jun 27, 2023

Full Review

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Andy F

It gives the bare bones of a period in British history, albeit with inaccuracies for dramatic effect. The performances are good but the whole thing feels a little hammy and vacuous. Read a good biography on George VI to get a flavour of the real man.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/24/24

Full Review

Audience Member

I liked this movie. I did not find it to be some amazing award winning film, but I had a nice time with it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/06/24

Full Review

John H

Excellent movie with 2 great performces

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/08/24

Full Review

Eye C

A moving picture, with the beginning of a war that changed the world. The performances of Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush are on of the best of this millennium, not exaggerating.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/05/24

Full Review

Katharine M

Superb! Bonham Carter was wonderful. Geoffrey Rush was stellar! Firth, perfect!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/24

Full Review

Aswassh S

An Absolute Classic!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/02/24

Full Review

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Tom Hooper

Director

Colin Firth

King George VI

Geoffrey Rush

Lionel Logue

Helena Bonham Carter

Queen Elizabeth

Guy Pearce

King Edward VIII

Timothy Spall

Winston Churchill

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Synopsis

England's Prince Albert (Colin Firth) must ascend the throne as King George VI, but he has a speech impediment. Knowing that the country needs her husband to be able to communicate effectively, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) hires Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), an Australian actor and speech therapist, to help him overcome his stammer. An extraordinary friendship develops between the two men, as Logue uses unconventional means to teach the monarch how to speak with confidence.

Director: Tom Hooper
Producer: Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Gareth Unwin
Screenwriter: David Seidler
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: See-Saw Films, Bedlam Pictures
Rating: R (Some Language)
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 28, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $138.8M
Runtime: 1h 58m

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