This unique colour film of the Queen's Coronation on June 2nd 1953, is now available in High-Definition Blu-ray from Amazon UK (in European format- Region 2).

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Spider Monkey

A Queen is Crowned

Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2011

`A Queen Is Crowned' is the colour documentary of the Queen's coronation as shown in cinemas at the time of the event. It starts with footage from around the UK and Sir Lawrence Olivier narrating about the splendour of our `sceptred isle' before moving on to the actual coronation itself. You follow the Queen as she travels to Westminster Abbey in the magnificent golden coach, see the various rituals and oaths of the ceremony (all explained by the narrator), see the various dignitaries honour the Queen and parade out of the abbey and see the huge armed forces as they parade en masse through the streets of London. Finally you end with the Queen waving to the massed crowds as they swarm the mall and Buckingham Palace to honour their new Queen. The costumes, ornaments of state and setting are truly awe inspiring and the pomp and ceremony are fascinating to watch. The score from The London Symphony Orchestra is uplifting and completely in keeping with the ambiance of the day. It is interesting to see the Coronation in colour and with explanations after seeing brief exerts over the years at various royal mile stones. If you have even a passing interest in this event I'd recommend this DVD, it makes for interesting viewing and places the reign of our Queen in that bit deeper context.

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3 people found this helpful

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Michael Kerjman

A Monument to an Epoch

Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2009

It is really a monument to an epoch of which fanfares already overlived its relevance to a modern world and nowadays spectators.

I like this doco and, eventually, one day this DVD will be combined with "The Queen's Coronation: Behind the Palace Doors", the most recent BBC produce.

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Spider Monkey

A Queen is Crowned

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2009

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`A Queen Is Crowned' is the colour documentary of the Queen's coronation as shown in cinemas at the time of the event. It starts with footage from around the UK and Sir Lawrence Olivier narrating about the splendour of our `sceptred isle' before moving on to the actual coronation itself. You follow the Queen as she travels to Westminster Abbey in the magnificent golden coach, see the various rituals and oaths of the ceremony (all explained by the narrator), see the various dignitaries honour the Queen and parade out of the abbey and see the huge armed forces as they parade en masse through the streets of London. Finally you end with the Queen waving to the massed crowds as they swarm the mall and Buckingham Palace to honour their new Queen. The costumes, ornaments of state and setting are truly awe inspiring and the pomp and ceremony are fascinating to watch. The score from The London Symphony Orchestra is uplifting and completely in keeping with the ambiance of the day. It is interesting to see the Coronation in colour and with explanations after seeing brief exerts over the years at various royal mile stones. If you have even a passing interest in this event I'd recommend this DVD, it makes for interesting viewing and places the reign of our Queen in that bit deeper context.

Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.

59 people found this helpful

J. M. Harman

A truly historic film

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 6, 2010

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This film, made in 1953, gives an account of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on June 2nd. Narrated by Laurence Olivier, the viewer is taken from scenes of the British countryside, to events leading up to the day itself.

There follows views of the procession to Westminster Abbey, followed by an edited version of the Coronation ceremony. We are shown Her Majesty`s entrance, the crowning, then the departure into the the streets of London.

Then comes a magnificent parade featuring the Armed Forces and guests, both from Britain and overseas, concluding with a wonderful sequence of Her Majesty on horseback.

The narration is, at times, rather "over-the-top" also, no image of industrial Britain is shown. Regarding the parade, one gets a little weary of hearing "Soldiers of the Queen!" All this apart, it is a wonderful film, and will prove invaluable both to historians and future generations.

John Harman

8 people found this helpful

Londonjerez

...Abd everything else

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 28, 2012

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This is not the complate coronation ceremony. In fact there is oribabky less time spent on the ceremony than on anything else. We have views of an unreal rural England, Scotland and Ireland with a sonorous voiceover by Sir Laurence. There are endless shots of soldiers parading, both before and after the ceremony. But the ceremony, which is some four hours long, is abbreviated terribly. However, it is still a moving sight to see this young, beautiful young woman, burdened by the pomp and ritual and oaths of something that she would uphold for the rest of her long life.

Anthony R

An excellent record of an historic occasion

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 29, 2012

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I remember seeing this film twice in 1953, the year of the Coronation. It was enjoyable being able to see it again after all these years. Seeing the film as an adult I realised just how much work went into producing this extraordinary occasion.

The film brilliantly captivates a ceremony which was archaic even in 50s but that is part of the appeal of being in touch with our past. The portrayal of Great Britain as an idyllic pastoral realm was not strictly realistic, but who wants realism on these occasions?

We saw quite lot of the troops from around the world but since the film was aimed at an international circulation they obviously could not afford to leave anyone out. The title "A Queen is crowned" rather than "The Queen is crowned" also hints at the wide audience the film was aimed at.

Amelrode

54 years since coronation - a wonderful reminder of a glorious and exceptional day

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 5, 2007

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I suppose most of us have known only one Queen: Elisabeth II. She was already on the throne when I was not even born. When she was crowned in 1953 the world was so much different from today's world. The changes have effected as well the monarchy. Then The Queen was rather untouchable and revered, today one asks how long the monarchy will survive. Will there ever be another coronation or a coronation of this kind? We will see... So this DVD is a wonderful reminder of a glorious and exceptional day. It is wonderful to see. I enjoyed it, even though it seems to be so out-dated, or maybe just because of this? I am sure you will enjoy it too

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A Queen is Crowned [DVD] [1953] by Laurence Olivier

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