This film is part of Free
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.
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.
Related
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
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.
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.
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.
Sierra Leone Greets the Queen Sierra Leone Greets the Queen
Government sponsored film 1961 21 mins
The Queen and Prince Philip's visit in late 1961, the year Sierra Leone became independent from Britain.
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.
Baltimore Q&A Baltimore Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Joanna Scanlan - Exclusive Q&A Joanna Scanlan - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 51 mins
Actor and writer Joanna Scanlan talks to Mia Bays, director of the BFI's Filmmaking Fund, about her career in film and television.
Baldwin's N***** Baldwin's N*****
Documentary 1969 44 mins
Horace Ové's striking portrait of the American writer James Baldwin at his sharp-witted best addressing a group of radical West Indian students in 1960s London.
Shoot Your Shot Shoot Your Shot
Drama 2022 12 mins
An emotional stand-off takes flight, as teen best friends Ronit and Brennan come to terms with navigating that fuzzy feeling in their stomachs, all whilst learning to skateboard.
Look Like You Look Like You
Drama 2022 13 mins
While visiting the adoptive family of her eight-year-old biological son, Tara relays advice she gathered from growing up as a queer outcast.
Yellow Yellow
Drama 2023 13 mins
In Taliban controlled Afghanistan, Laili walks into a Chadari store in Kabul to buy her first full body veil from a Talib shopkeeper and face a new future.