Film Review - Madness of King George, The

I love period films. Not only do you get entertainment, but you pick up a little painless history. The Madness of King George is a smashing film set in the late 1700s.

George is the king who lost the British colonies in America by completely alienating the people through over-taxation, and non-representation in Parliament. He's very bitter about the loss of the colonies, and refuses to refer to America as anything but The Colonies.

George is also very sure about what is the purpose of the king in society. He's there to be an example. He's unbending when people ignore protocol, and unforgiving when one shows weakness. George would have really liked Confucius.

From all of this, you would think George is a real son of a bitch. Well he is, but you can get to really like Nigel Hawthorne portraying the SOB and when the madness occurs, you will feel sympathetic to his plight. After all, George is just doing what he thinks is right, and the madness is stripping himself away.

Eighteenth-century medicine is portrayed as sheer quackery. People making observations are shunned by the doctor to bolster his position. In many ways, the doctors in this film provide comedic relief in what could otherwise be a depressing story.

The Madness of King George is all about dignity. How do we treat people who have fallen? Even in madness, George knows who he is, and what it means to be the king. His struggle and triumph is to live up to that standard.

Slight Suction!

Film Facts

Directed by Nicholas Hytner

Released in 1994

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Reviewed by Mongo