- The Young Victoria Stars Emily Blunt - Copyright 2009 Apparition
Queen Victoria’s early years as an over-protected child, ascension to the throne, and romance and marriage to Prince Albert come to life through a script by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park).
In this romantic retelling of Queen Victoria’s story, Emily Blunt stars as the young woman next in line for the throne after her sickly uncle, King William (Jim Broadbent), passes away. Her mother, the Duchess of Kent (Miranda Richardson) and her mother’s advisor (Mark Strong) use every means possible to keep Victoria under their control. When Victoria meets her handsome cousin, Albert (Rupert Friend), she gets her first glimpse of someone who envisions her as a potential partner, rather than a pawn.
The Cast of The Young Victoria
- Golden Globe winner Emily Blunt (Sunshine Cleaning, The Devil Wears Prada) stars as Victoria. “I couldn’t help but be attracted to this remarkable, high-spirited, feisty girl. The script was very exciting, as the public and private Victoria are very different and you realize what a performance it was to be a queen,” Blunt said in the production notes.
- Rupert Friend (Cheri, Pride and Prejudice) co-stars as Prince Albert. In preparing for the role, Friend took dancing, calligraphy, and archery lessons, in addition to working with a voice coach in order to speak German.
- Paul Bettany (The Da Vinci Code, A Beautiful Mind) plays the politically minded Lord Melbourne.
- Miranda Richardson (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Sleepy Hollow) portrays the Duchess of Kent, Victoria’s mother.
- Jim Broadbent (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows) appears as the dying King William.
- Mark Strong (Body of Lies, Sunshine) plays Sir John Conroy, an aggressive advisor to the Duchess of Kent.
- Rounding out the cast: Thomas Kretschmann (King Kong); Jesper Christensen (Casino Royale); Michael Maloney (Babel); Julian Glover (Troy); and Harriet Walter (Atonement).
The Filmmakers Behind The Young Victoria
- Montreal filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallee (Liste Noire, C.R.A.Z.Y.) took on this project because the story explored more than history by delving into the emotional turmoil and true romance between the characters.
- Vallee said in the production notes: “I’m moved by beautiful stories and this is one – of the young girl who became the Queen of England at 18 years old. It touched me. It’s also a family drama and I like to explore those relationships, to show what goes on under the surface. Thematically it’s similar to C.R.A.Z.Y, but in a completely different culture, class, period and setting, but family relationships are a universal subject.”
- Producers for the film: Graham King (The Departed), Martin Scorsese (Gangs of New York), Tim Headington (Edge of Darkness), and Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York (author of two books about Queen Victoria).
- Screenwriter Julian Fellowes is also an accomplished actor, director, producer, and novelist. His other screenwriting credits include Vanity Fair and Piccadilly Jim.
The Young Victoria
In this historical romantic drama, Victoria transitions from sheltered little girl to Queen of England, discovering her inner strength, life’s purpose, and true love along the way.
- Starring Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson, Jim Broadbent, Thomas Kretschmann, Mark Strong, Jesper Christensen, Harriet Walter, Jeannette Hain
- Director: Jean-Marc Vallee
- Writer: Julian Fellowes
- Genre: Romantic Drama
- Run Time: 100 minutes
- Rating: PG (for some mild sensuality, a scene of violence, and brief incidental language and smoking)
Click here to read a review of The Young Victoria. To see a trailer for The Young Victoria, visit the official website.
Leslie C. Halpern - Leslie C. Halpern, Romantic Films/Comedies Topic Editor, authored Passionate About Their Work, Reel Romance, & Dreams on Film.
