A Royal Affair

As others have said, this film is based on a true story which is also an important story, especially for Denmark but also for the vastly more liberal Europe that was in the process of being born. The story begins with the arranged marriage between King Christian VII of Denmark and Princess Caroline Matilda of England. By the time the princess was born her brother was already King George III of England, the same king who presided over our own revolution as well as the uneasy union of Ireland with England, making him the first true monarch of the UK. One valuable thing the movie does is to flesh out the very appealing character of Matilda, who was both informal in her manners and a great reader, always curious about, and sympathetic with, the ideas of equality and liberty which were gaining traction in her lifetime. Evidently the realization that their young queen was always considered charming and bright is new even to Danes, who learn the rudiments of this story as schoolchildren much as we learn about our revolutionary figures when we are that age, which is to say, as little more than stick figures. Naturally enough the Danish focus has always been on the king whom Matilda married and their son, who became a very great, justly famous king. At the age of fifteen, Caroline Matilda voyaged to Denmark where she found that she was unlucky in her marriage. Whether Christian was mad or merely erratic, whether he was homosexual or merely inclined to confuse his wife with his daunting mother, he was always viewed as a foolish child by the nobility who controlled him and, through him, the country. Their wish was to insulate Denmark from the modern ideas beginning to permeate Europe while preserving and maximizing their own wealth and power. Social change began when a brilliant German doctor, Struensee, became Christian's first friend and, gradually, his sole political advisor. Eventually, however, for whatever reason (possibly bi-polar illness), Christian sank into a catatonic depression that left Struensee in power as de facto king -- and a very energetic king, too, issuing some 1,069 cabinet orders in about ten months. During this time the two free-thinking foreigners, a low-born German doctor and the English Queen, almost certainly found both joy and solace in the queen's bed, forming as a small and very happy family into which the queen bore a daughter who was almost certainly fathered by Struensee. These events comprise most of the movie which is a joy to watch, beautiful, fascinating, and very erotic. Perhaps because the acting is so very good, the film never becomes either a preachy history lesson or a stilted costume drama. Of course the preternaturally gifted Mikkelsen is a joy to watch, but so are the young Swedish actress who plays the queen and the novice actor who gives a masterful performance as the unfortunate king. Still, even as we enjoy watching the two sensual and charming lovers, we realize that they are behaving very unwisely, failing at every step to protect themselves from the malice of the nobles and the superstitious rage of the people over whom the nobles have great influence. Struensee's worst failure may have been scorning to form any coalition of power with the few nobles who might have been able to protect him from the many nobles who believed that both he and the queen were flouting all Danish custom while demeaning the beloved monarchy. Therefore, for the two lovers, the ending had to be sad, and because the movie has so much emotional power from the first scene, of course their downfall is sad to watch, although it is also brief. Moreover, as we learn in a final summary, in some sense the revolutionary doctor and his queen will triumph in the end, because the Denmark which they wanted so very much to create was soon recreated by Caroline Matilda's son, Frederick, who outdid Struensee himself in bringing about a famously bloodless, and even more liberal, revolution. And that revolution has, of course, endured. This is a movie I can unequivocally recommend as emotionally and aesthetically irresistible.

I've seen this film three years ago and now I saw this last night again. The difference was I now know Alicia Vikander more since I saw her other movies, I mean even her most difficult to find movies like <Pure><Hotell>. Even though I like Alicia so much, it was not surprising that Mads Mikkelsen was such a great actor that he rulled the film and I felt like Alicia was not the main actor to me. She was merely the supporting roll. As we all know Mads Mikkelsen was starred in great movies like <THE HUNT>. It will be a shame to talk about the story I will be brief. The mentally ill and childish king marries Alicia, a beautiful queen and she was at first suffering from his strange behavior, but she begins to understand him. When the king found out the doctor Mads Mikkenisen who knows how to deal with any kind of people in his own way, they become friends and finally he ends up with even make him the most powerful man who rulls the kingdom. Mads Mikkenisen on the other hand madly falls in love with the queen Alicia. They make love every night. They even have a baby. Finding out that, the mother of the king tries to re-summons the former statesman. She succedes and they all gatheres and kills Mads. The queen end up with living outside the palace in her girlfriend's house. The cinematography was more then just beautiful. It was top class art film. The music is all classic beauty. Alicia did her best but because of her roll, she was kind of one dimentional charactor. But because she was naturally so beautiful, I honestly didn't care. I was just happy to see her whenever she appears in screen. Seeing Mads Mikkenisen is just blessing. He can do any roll, I mean any roll at all. He is the actor of the century. Sometimes so warm hearted man, sometimes so evil. Also the king's roll was good too. The director cast the actors very well. The running time was about 130 minutes but I never felt boring even a single minute. And I also never thought that this was my second time watching this film. If you want a movie that actors are so well acted, this is the one you should see.

Any person who is a Mads fan or a history buff is going to love this movie! Acting and story was top notch. Casting was excellent and right on except for the actress who played Caroline Matilda of England who was good but I feel they could have cast someone who resembled her more physically and characteristically. The actor who played the king was an excellent choice physically and characteristically to the actual king Christian VII of Denmark. A new actor but did an excellent portrayal of the mad king. Mads is always magnificent in his portrayals and this one is no different. He gets you to almost appreciate the doctor for his manipulations of the king and route for him and the people of Denmark and not see him as self serving as i originally thought of the man from my previous historical readings of him. Highly recommended !!

Dieser zweistündige Historienfilm des dänischen Regisseurs Nikolaj Arcel aus dem Jahr 2012 entstand in Zusammenarbeit mit Rasmus Heisterberg und Lars von Trier. Was wie der Stoff eines typischen Kostümfilms klingt, ist in Wahrheit reale dänische Geschichte. Den Arzt Struensee gab es wirklich, ebenso seine Affäre mit Königin Caroline bis hin zu seiner Machtposition. Dänemark 1770: Schon als Kind ist die aus England stammende Prinzessin Caroline Mathilde (Alicia Vikander) dem Prinzen Christian VII ((Mikkel Boe Følsgaard) versprochen und soll den königlichen Gemahl nun bald ehelichen. Der Bräutigam in spe sei, so sagen ihr die Hofdamen, ein kultivierter Mann, ein Liebhaber des Theaters und überhaupt als kommender König von Dänemark eine gute Partie. Doch Christian entpuppt sich gleich bei der ersten Begegnung als mindestens exzentrischer Lüstling mit seltsamem Lachen, merkwürdigem Benehmen und einem unglaublichen Appetit auf Hofdamen und Prostituierte. Nachdem Caroline ihrer Verpflichtung zum Gebären eines Thronfolgers nachgekommen ist, begibt sich der psychisch Kranke Christian auf eine ausgedehnte Europa-Reise, von der er den preussischen Aufklärer Johann Friedrich Struensee (Mads Mikkelsen) als Leibarzt mit an den Hof in Kopenhagen bringt. Schnell gewinnt Struensee an Einfluss und kann den König zu dringend benötigten Reformen bewegen. Die vereinsamte Königin und der Leibarzt verlieben sich ineinander, denn auch Caroline ist ein Freigeist und sehnt sich zugleich nach einem liebevollen Mann an ihrer Seite. Doch diese Verbindung wird ihnen zum Verhängnis , denn Struensees Treiben wird durch den königlichen Rat bereits mit großem Misstrauen verfolgt.... Die Geschichte konzentriert sich ganz auf die Gefühle dieser verrückten Ménage à trois. Die beiden Liebenden grenzen den labilen König gar nicht aus, sondern bleiben ihm sogar verbunden. Man spürt auch Struensees tiefes Verständnis, das er als Arzt der geschundenen Psyche Christians entgegenbringt. Wenn er den König im Kabinett zum Durchsetzen seiner eigenen Ideen einspannt, wirkt das nicht wie ein intrigantes Ausnutzen, sondern wie der Kampf zweier verlorener Seelen für Veränderung. Aber es ist keine Heiligengeschichte. Mads Mikkelsen durchläuft mit einem stoischen Gesicht und gnadenlos aufrechter Haltung alle Aggregatzustände dieses Lehrstücks von Aufstieg und Fall eines Aufklärers , der zu viel wollte...alle Liebe, alle Macht, alle Freiheit – gegen alle Chancen und Realitäten. Alicia Vikander ist eine hinreißende junge Königin, ihre Blickwechsel mit Struensee und die Haltung, die sie angesichts ihres Ehemannes und ihres Schicksals bewahrt, sind so intensiv, dass sie sogar Mads Mikkelsen fast an die Wand spielt. In einer der wunderbarsten Szenen beginnt die Affäre zwischen Caroline und Struensee. Als die beiden während eines Tanzes begreifen, dass sie sich lieben. Sie umkreisen sich, sie tanzen, sehen sich starr an, die Blicke werden immer weicher. Die Zeit wird aufgehoben, die Musik steht still....lange verweilt die Kamera auf ihren Gesichtern, während sie sich weiter im Kreis drehen und sich anschauen... Eine Szene zum Dahinschmelzen...;-) „Die Königin und der Leibarzt“ ist ein bewegender, opulenter Kostümfilm mit Bildern, die manchmal wirken, als wären sie von Jan Vermeer gemalt. Und es ist auch ein Film über die Anfänge der Aufklärung in Europa und die Hindernisse, die es zu überwinden galt. Wobei sich die Handlung hauptsächlich mit der dramatischen Romanze befasst und das Ringen am Hof zwischen den leidenschaftlichen Aufklärern und den religiösen Fanatikern doch mehr im Hintergrund steht. Einen historischen Politthriller darf man deshalb nicht erwarten. Mir hat der Film sehr gut gefallen.

Excellent film, histoire vraie, costumes et mise en scène parfaits ainsi qu'une reconstitution historique impressionante. Acteurs au top ! Et Mads Mikkelsen une fois de plus au top A voir absolument

C'era una volta Caroline, principessa bella e virtuosa. Il re suo fratello la diede in moglie a 15 anni ad un re vicino. Lo sposo le era stato descritto come un bel 21enne, colto e amante delle arti. Nessuno però le aveva detto che Christian era anche mentalmente instabile, violento e puttaniere, e succube della matrigna Juliane, che complottava con i nobili e il clero per mettere sul trono suo figlio, fratellastro del re. Dopo avere avuto un bambino, il principino Frederick erede al trono, la giovane regina, privata persino dei suoi libri, troppo moderni per quella corte bigotta, era rassegnata ad una vita triste e solitaria. Ma un giorno il capriccioso Re assunse un nuovo medico di corte, e tutto cambiò. Il borghese dottor Johann era capace di fare ragionare il re folle, ne divenne amico e pian piano, con pazienza lo indusse ad apportare molti miglioramenti nella vita del popolo, asservito ad una nobiltà pigra e reazionaria. Ispirato dalla filosofia di Rousseau, insieme alla colta e pietosa Caroline lo convinse a rendere obbligatoria e gratuita la vaccinazione dei bambini contro il vaiolo, che tante morti causava anche nei regni vicini, ad illuminare e pulire le strade, istituire orfanotrofi pubblici, tutte opere finanziate con tasse su rendite e gioco d'azzardo. Fu vietata poi la tortura dei prigionieri, abolita la censura sulla stampa e infine soppressa la servitù della gleba. Persino il grande Voltaire scrisse al Re Christian una lettera per congratularsi per il suo governo illuminato. Caroline e Johann, avvicinati dagli ideali condivisi e dal comune isolamento in quella corte ostile, si innamorarono ed ebbero una bambina, la piccola Luisa Augusta. I nobili fino ad allora avevano solo mugugnato; toccati nella borsa e nel potere approfittarono dello scandalo e si allearono con la perfida regina madre: sobillarono il popolo con la menzogna che il dottore e la regina stavano avvelenando il re per renderlo pazzo e scoppiò una rivolta. Fu così che il dottore venne arrestato e decapitato, e l'infelice Regina fu mandata in esilio e privata anche dei suoi bambini, che non vide mai più. Caroline morì a 24 anni, ma affidò a un'amica un diario, in cui raccontava ai figli la sua storia, da aprirsi quando Frederick fosse stato adulto. Il 16enne principe convinse così il padre a rivoltarsi contro il fratellastro usurpatore; divenne Re, ripristinò e perfezionò le riforme e governò, amatissimo, per 55 anni. Non è una favola, è una storia vera. Il dottor Johann Friedrich Struensee fu davvero il consigliere, ad un certo punto il reggente “de facto”, del folle re Christian VII di Danimarca, e amante della regina Caroline Mathilda, sorella di Giorgio III d'Inghilterra. Una storia d'amore breve (Struensee arrivò a corte il 12 gennaio 1769 e fu giustiziato il 28 aprile 1773) ma intensissima, che avrebbe cambiato per sempre la storia della Danimarca e influenzò quella dell'intera Europa. Scrivendo questa sceneggiatura – giustamente premiata alla Berlinale 2012 – Rasmus Heisterberg e il regista Nikolaj Arcel hanno fatto un ottimo lavoro: ci hanno raccontato appassionanti eventi storici quasi incredibili (e probabilmente conosciuti solo dai Danesi) con asciuttezza e realismo, senza mai indulgere nel pittoresco e schivando l'effetto soap-opera, rischio grosso dato lo svolgersi degli eventi. Il risultato è una pellicola di oltre 2 ore che scorre tutta d'un fiato. Ispirata ai grandi film storici degli anni '40 e '50, non vuole solo “mostrare” la storia attraverso vestiti e acconciature d'epoca, ma anche dare forza ai personaggi e alle loro vicende attraverso un punto di vista contemporaneo. La storia d'amore non è mai invadente, è trattenuta e pudica. Quello che sembra partire come un melodramma in costume su di un triangolo sentimentale, diventa rapidamente il ritratto di un'epoca dominata da uno scontro di ideologie ancora attuale: da una parte il riformatore, ateo e illuminista, dall'altra i conservatori, parassiti corrotti e bigotti, dominati dal clero, in uno scontro certo non ad armi pari. E in mezzo una giovane donna, in una Storia tanto più grande di lei. Eccellenti tutti gli interpreti, a partire dal come sempre grandissimo Mads Mikkelsen: il suo dottor Struensee è intelligente e seducente; non è un eroe, ha difetti e debolezze oltre che ideali, e lui ce li mostra con una passione fortemente interiorizzata e tutta nordica. Deliziosa la Caroline di Alicia Vikander: moglie umiliata, madre tenerissima, amante appassionata, ragazzina schiacciata dal destino, è sempre all'altezza del ruolo. La vera sorpresa è Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, interprete di re Christian: ancora allievo dell'Accademia di recitazione di Copenaghen quando fu scelto per la parte - un ruolo complesso, un personaggio infantile e cupo, a tratti disgustoso, ma anche un povero burattino che infine muove a pietà - ci mostra un uomo psichicamente tormentato usando grande maturità ed ammirevole equilibrio. L'Orso d'Argento come Migliore Attore a Berlino 2012 l'ha davvero meritato. Una menzione speciale va poi al direttore della fotografia Rasmus Videbæk, che utilizza meravigliosamente un'illuminazione d'interni basata su fiaccole e candele e mostra negli esterni, soprattutto nei giardini, un gusto coloristico ispirato ai quadri di Gainsbourgh. Insomma un film “all'antica” nel senso migliore del termine, non sentimentale o nostalgico, quanto ben scritto e ben interpretato, con ottime scenografie e costumi e una storia appassionante.

An absolutely intriguing film with phenomenal acting, beautiful costumes, and a gripping plot line based on a TRUE story. The people who refuse to watch this film simply because they “cannot be bothered” to read English subtitles, are idiots. You’re outright saying that you’re uncultured and an incompetent multitasker. Watch this masterpiece!!!

Preciosa historia biográfica sobre la vida de la reina Carolina de Dinamarca y su marido el rey Christian. Esperaba ver una película de época entretenida, pero me encontré con una gran historia de amor al mejor estilo de "La duquesa" basada en hechos reales realmente exquisita. Las interpretaciones son muy buenas y creíbles, la fotografía es hermosa y la película en general está rodada con un gran preciosismo. La historia de amor de la reina con su médico, Johann Friedrich Struensee es el centro de ella así como las diferentes ideologías que sufre el país durante el convulso gobierno del rey Christian VII, con la introducción de ideas procedentes de la Ilustración. Pasiones secretas, complot y revoluciones son sólo una parte de esta gran y silenciosa, injustamente, película.