by John Welford

Created on: January 20, 2011   Last Updated: June 11, 2011

The 2010 film The King’s Speech begins with a disastrous speech and ends with a triumphant one. In between is a story of struggle and setback, the setting being the emergence of King George VI on to the public stage, greatly helped by the remarkable services of an eccentric Australian speech therapist, working in London, named Lionel Logue. 

Although the film can be enjoyed (and enjoyment is an apt word to use) without much knowledge of 20th century British history, it might help to paint in some of the background, as these were momentous times that impinged greatly on the characters involved.

Albert Frederick Arthur George was born in 1895 and was always known in the royal family (and the film) as Bertie. He was the second son of King George V, and he therefore never expected to become king, as his elder brother Edward (known to the family as David) was clearly destined for the role. Bertie was awarded the title of Duke of York and, although active in many areas of public life, was never allowed to “shine” like his brother, not that he had any desire to do so.

Bertie’s problem was that he had had a terrible stammer from childhood, and public appearances, where speaking was required, were extremely painful for him and embarrassing for everyone else.

The King’s Speech opens with Bertie making the closing speech at the 1925 British Empire Exhibition at Wembley Stadium (although the caption mistakenly gives this as 1935). Bertie can hardly force out a word, and those he does manage echo round the place in a very off-putting way. The viewer then sees the treatment that Bertie is given by his doctor, including advice to inhale tobacco smoke deep into his lungs. Needless to say, the treatment fails.

Bertie’s young wife Elizabeth has heard about the services offered by a Harley Street speech therapist named Lionel Logue. She goes to see him alone, and incognito, but Logue insists that the patient must visit him at his rooms in person.

The viewer then sees the next visit, at which a highly sceptical Bertie (as “Mr Johnson”) is persuaded to try a few things that might help, including reading a poem into a recording machine while loud music is played at him through headphones. Bertie refuses to take any more and leaves the clinic, determined not to return, but he takes the recording with him and plays it when he is back home. He and Elizabeth hear him reading almost perfectly, with barely a hesitation.

So begins a

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