This film and the accompanying film on the dvd have the following in common : they are both 'Rank' Productions; they were both intended for feature presentation theatrical release, and they both feature Sir Malcolm Sargent as MD. They are also both narrated by theatrical knights (both of whose most famous films were directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Sir Laurence in 'Rebecca', and Sir Michael in 'The Lady Vanishes').
I had not heard of the second film before, so, googling 'Elizabeth ll : filmography' I realized that our dear Queen is quite the movie star!
Googling further, I found that some of the other documentaries are available on other dvds. This dvd runs 3 hours, so no complaints about a lack of footage for available disc time.
On to the film itself.
For me, the star is not Sir Laurence Olivier, or even (sorry, Marm) Her Majesty, but the glorious early Technicolor. Early Technicolor was very expensive, and only for special occasions. The MGM musicals, and some of the Korda films, come to mind. So not to drag the huge early Technicolor cameras out for nothing.
It must also be remembered that this is a commercial film, so it had to be paced, cut, and run appropriately, and for an international audience.
Our overseas friends make no secret of their admiration for our sense of history, which is why there is such an emphasis thereon, in the film. Does not the sense of 'Empire', paraded (literally!) so emphatically in the film, cause an uncomfortable moment, or two, 60 years on?
It doesn't appear to, which is all to the good.
For me, the highlights are the Coronation Coach (200 years old, as Sir Laurence points out), and the parade of Commonwealth and Colonial Soldiery (which seems to go on forever), at the end. Talk about a cast of hundreds!
Of course, the 27 year old Queen is radiant, and her Maids Of Honour all look like like movie stars, too.
And it is great to see the ancient ceremony inside Westminster Abbey.
The other film doesn't feature the Queen, or her family, except in paintings and photographs. It is presented in widescreen (the other is fullscreen).
But it is a collector's item, highlights of which are the detailed look at the ceiling of Hampton Court Palace (seen for the first time in 400 years, as Sir Michael points out), and the exclusive look at private rooms within the Palaces. Sir Michael is an excellent tour guide, with a regard for history.
As for special features, the image gallery has some nice pictures, and the 12 page theatre distributors' guide (not really a 'programme') and the two page guide to the second film, are interesting (these last two pdf files).
So, whether you're a 'royalist', or not, I think these films should be approached from the point of view of the cinemagoer, as intended.
As such, they are two great films, presented beautifully, and, for the collector, quite rare.
Enjoy!
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