This film is part of Free

Title of error

See Help

Life of a Queen

The loneliness of the long distance ruler is one of the themes of this film which illustratrates the Queen’s life of travel and official duties across the Commonwealth.

Biopic 1960 16 mins

Overview

The film is a compilation of footage shot by Associated British Pathe, which covered royal events for its newsreels, and the company would have been ideally placed to use their footage to make short films for the COI. The varied life of the Queen depicted in the film encompasses duties such as making the first telephone trunk call in 1958, from Bristol. “This is the Queen speaking” she declares to the unseen Provost of Edinburgh after tentatively dialling the number herself. The Queen then helpfully elaborates on the new service which the Post Office has introduced: “in a few moments Bristol subscribers will be able to make trunk calls by merely dialling the right number, up to a distance of some 300 miles.”

While the pomp and ceremony of the Queen’s life are foregrounded onscreen, the commentary emphasises the deprivations and demands of the lives of the royal family, who “never know what the word ‘choice’ means” as they follow their destiny. The film begins and ends with the Queen carrying out the state opening of Parliament, “alone, but sustained by the love of her family and the love of her people.” It is likely that Life of a Queen would have been shown around the world given that “overseas publicity” was a key aspect of the work of the COI.

Genres

Biopic

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English

Currently unavailable

Governor's Notebook 1 Governor's Notebook 1

Amateur film 1953 2 mins Silent Location: Stormont

An unforgettable day for Lady Wakehurst as the glamorous new monarch delights the crowds at Stormont

Currently unavailable

Royal Visit to Bearsden June 1965 Royal Visit to Bearsden June 1965

Amateur film 1965 11 mins Location: Bearsden

The Queen and Prince Philip enjoy a day out in the Glasgow suburbs in this sumptuous 1960s amateur film, complete with pipe band, flag-waving schoolchildren and very big hats.

Currently unavailable

Stranraer Royal Visit 1955 Stranraer Royal Visit 1955

Non-Fiction 1955 11 mins Silent Location: Stranraer

Visit Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway, with a Royal accompaniment as the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visit in 1955, enjoying an agricultural show and pageant along the way.

Watch for free

Jubilee Jubilee

Current affairs 1977 13 mins Location: Bath

A special report looks into the preparations for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and her subsequent tour of the South West.

Watch for free

Sierra Leone Greets the Queen Sierra Leone Greets the Queen

Non-Fiction 1961 21 mins

The Queen and Prince Philip's visit in late 1961, the year Sierra Leone became independent from Britain.

Watch for free

Royal Destiny Royal Destiny

Documentary 1953 17 mins

Produced by British Movietone for “Her Majesty’s Central Office of Information”, Royal Destiny traces Queen Elizabeth II’s young life up to her ascension to the throne.