Hated by the British establishment, and one half of one of the most scandalous love affairs of the 20th century, Wallis Simpson was, and still remains, a divisive character in British royal history, and Tom Hooper’s new film “The King’s Speech” throws some light on their royally outrageous relationship.
“I’ve found that if you bring up King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson at a dinner party or a social gathering, it’s like throwing a Molotov cocktail into the room”, says Madonna, who’s directing a film exclusively about the relationship, to be called “W. E”. Wallis was the American socialite who stole the heart of King Edward VIII, and whose relationship with the king forced him to abdicate the throne just 325 days into his reign, to be replaced by his younger brother Albert.
“The King’s Speech” instead focused on Albert (played exceptionally well by Colin Firth) and his stutter, a problem which has affected him from the age of five, and threatens to get in the way of his ability to take on the new role of king. We explore in the film a different relationship, the budding friendship between him and his speech therapist Lionel (Geoffrey Rush), as they try to cure his emotionally debilitating stammer. The film is a gentle, beautiful and charmingly British piece of cinema – I must admit, I’m quite surprised by the incredible box office success it’s had in Britain – but clearly audiences are hankering for some old-fashioned British nostalgia and that is exactly what “The King’s Speech” delivers, with its clipped radio accents, conservative sense of humour, and gorgeous shots of grey London landscapes, and warm, patterned ‘30’s furnishings.
Even the oncoming threat of Hitler and World War II is rather bizarrely pushed aside, as the film ends with the threat of war being overshadowed by Albert’s succesfuly pronunciation of his speech. I don’t think this matters; the film seems to focus on the bonds of friendship between two very different men, and the need to find one’s voice within your chosen or allotted role, than it is really about the political climate of the time.
Nonetheless, while watching the film, I became intrigued by the character of Wallis Simpson, and her relationship with Edward. What could that possibly have meant for the Royals at the time? The English throne being usurped by an American harlot with a fondness for men, parties and expensive jewellery? A bit of research brought out some interesting facts and photos. Having made the ultimate sacrifice for their love, the couple spent the rest of their lives in exile, mainly in France. Wallis was an extremely glamorous woman, as these photos show.
Romantic love story, or outrageous royal scandal? Methinks both. Whatever it is, its a helluva lot more interesting than the next royal engagement…
They were both so stylish, her outfit by the steps is so perfect. Have you seen her wedding dress, its underrated. Even his trousers are lovely – http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aicyE4V3NJo/S9rLLjSACOI/AAAAAAAAAXc/VdF2HxL4JLU/s1600/Windsor+Simpson+Wedding+2+Flowers.jpg
She was a Nazi sympathiser, I hate how everyone is so enamoured by her attire and thus seem to constantly forget this quite vital fact.
So was Prescott Bush, but his kids were still presidents. Sensationalization at it’s finest for the masses.
Hey Darcy, just read your statement and since you want to rattle the Bushes, let’s rattle an even greater scandal … President John F Kennedy’s father, Joseph P Kennedy was a big-time Nazi sympathiser. How’s that for Camelot?
Hindsight being 20/20, we all now know what Hitler did. However, in 1935 no one had any idea of his true barbarity nor was he at war with England. Please keep this in mind when you condemn people who had no idea of Hitlers true evil.
good answer
Are you trying to justify the Bush legacy ‘Darcy’ by suggesting the presidence of a Nazi sympathiser is entertainment?
I think you are deranged if you believe
a. being a Nazi sympathiser is just sensationalism
b. sensationalism is a positive attribute
c. Prescott Bush’s children are a legacy to dervive pleasure from?
-confused
I agree with you 100% – I thought the movie was good. I also thought it lacked colour and would loved to have been taken onto a journey or another movie on Edward & Wallace. I thought Guy Pearce was great as Edward. His other role I loved was as Felicia the dragQUEEN in Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
The last movie of two great male friendships I watched was Broke BMountain; which I thought was the best movie in such a long long time. How does it compare, sympathise and realte to Kings Speech?? Would make a great blog post for someone.
the movie was awesome and i will look forward to see the movie about wallace and king edward viii
Both Wallis and Edward VIII were disgraceful Nazi sympathisers who were effectively sacked because they were a security risk. Prescott Bush, unlike Wallis, was not having an affair with Hitler’s Ambassador on the eve of WW2. You need to remember that Britain is a monarchy. The King opens parliament, signs bills into law, has access to all cabinet papers and gets formal facetime with the prime minister a minimum of once a week. A bit tricky to manage if he’s secretly rooting for the other side.
Bring back the reality of life. we losing the good taste of fashion and the way eat this days, I feel so distasteful these days upon seeing our society becoming run down. i loved watching the classic films . that way i feel the real beauty of life.
Nazi, Schmazi. “The King’s Speech” was the most intriguing and well done film, in virtually all respects, that I’ve seen in years. The closing scenes -the climax of the story- gave me goose bumps as Beethoven’s 7th symphony (2nd M) lent an incredible majesty to the moment, and the following excerpt from the Emperor Concerto was icing on the cake.
I do think, however, that the producers were rather unkind to Mrs Simpson. She was by no means a beauty by current standards, but neither was she as disturbingly plain as the actress in the film, enhanced by deliberately overdone makeup.
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Reading this comments has been thoroughly entertaining!
ps:…..and like the author of this article, I find the relationship between Wallace (or is it Walis?) Simpson and Kind Edward very intrigueing.
Are there any books written at the time of Wallis Simpson an dthe duke?
["Both Wallis and Edward VIII were disgraceful Nazi sympathisers who were effectively sacked because they were a security risk. Prescott Bush, unlike Wallis, was not having an affair with Hitler’s Ambassador on the eve of WW2."]
The majority of the British establishment were pro-Hitler. Those who weren’t, probably looked down on the man for his lower class antecedents . . . like Churchill. As for Wallis’ affair with von Ribbentrop, that was merely a rumor and has never been proven as fact.
And talking with the British about Wallis Simpson is like talking with the French about Marie Antoinette. You’re going to encounter a lot of passion and very little objectivity.
My My how times have changed. I guess if your the Prince you can lie and cheat then divorce your beautiful young wife to marry you mistress and it is perfectly alright! WRONG