Portrait of the Queen

IN A NUTSHELL:

This fascinating documentary about Queen Elizabeth is based on the book "Elisabetta II: Ritratto Di Regina" by Paola Calvetti, originally published by Mondadori.

The film was directed by Fabrizio Ferri. At the end of the movie, we see these words on the screen: "This film is dedicated to the memory of her late majesty Queen Elizabeth II." She lived from April 21, 1926 to September 8, 2022.

If you're intrigued by the British royal family and, especially, the Queen herself, you'll really enjoy this film which is a beautiful tribute to an incredible woman who took her duty to country seriously as her gift to the people who loved her.

THINGS I LIKED:

The documentary shows us so many wonderful images of the Queen over the span of her long life. She is one of the most recognized women in the world and the most photographed woman in history. Her portraits have been taken ever since she was born in 1926, which is half of the time of the history of photography.

We also get to see a room filled with many documents about her in the archives.

One of the photographers shared a story about when he got to film the Queen. When he asked her to smile, she didn't move a muscle. After asking three more times with the same blank stare from the Queen, the Queen's Public Relations person whispered in the photographer's ear, "The Queen doesn't smile on cue; she smiles when she wants to." It was really fun to hear about the experiences from all of the photographers who had the privilege of being chosen to photograph her.

The narrator, Charles Dance, stated in the end, "She has embraced the winds of change. She has inspired respect, admiration, affection and, for many, an enduring love. God bless you, Maam." Here, here!

Keep watching during the final, rolling credits for some more lovely images.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: There's an artsy-fartsy element that I thought was a bit odd. Charles Dance narrates the film but we only see his floating head in a black backdrop. A select few photographers are interviewed with the same effect.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: Kids may be bored unless they're very interested in British royalty.

No profanity.

There is nothing offensive about this film, making it family friendly.

Greetings again from the darkness. Although not one of those Americans mesmerized by every move made by the Royal Family, I have long admired Queen Elizabeth II for the manner in which she conducted herself in public. Having served as Monarch for seventy years at the time of her death, the Queen displayed a rare and much appreciated decorum throughout her lifetime in the public eye. In fact, director Fabrizio Ferri begins the film by asking citizens to describe her in one word, and what we hear is no surprise: consistency, constraint, strong, constant, respect. Obviously, she was Queen for the entire life of most British citizens, so her passing was an emotional jolt.

Rather than produce a traditional documentary on her life, director Ferri instead opts to use Paola Calvetti's 2019 book, "Elisabetta II, Ritratto di regina" as the focus (pun intended). With apologies to the Kardashians, supermodels, and Tom Brady, it's likely that Queen Elizabeth has been the most photographed person on Earth since she ascended the throne. In contrast to the usual chronological lifeline, we get a fascinating look at some of the photographs and photographers ... those that have recorded history via Royal portraits.

Actor Charles Dance is the (often) on screen narrator, and even he and the photographers being interviewed are shot with artistic lighting. Elizabeth and her family had early photos taken by Marcus Adams and Cecil Beaton, and we hear directly from many of the later photographers such as Brian Aris, Jason Bell, Julian Calder, Chris Levine, David Montgomery, and John Swannell, and their insight is often quite intimate and enlightening. One of the best is when we are told that once you photograph the Queen, no other subject will ever be intimidating for the photographer. The only segment that seems out of place is the interview with Susan Sarandon, who recalls meeting the Queen. This comes across as a disruptive celebrity inclusion meant to appeal to American viewers, rather than a contribution to the film.

The film is a brisk one hour and fourteen minutes, and is a stellar balancing act between the actual portraits (some which we've seen, others we haven't), those shooting the portraits, and insight into the world-famous woman at the center. Dating back to her coronation and the eleven-pound bejeweled crown, Queen Elizabeth II's presence was that of style, grace, and dignity. The pictures don't lie.

Available on digital beginning September 5, 2023.