King's Speech, The (2010.01.20)

THE KINGS SPEECH
Screenplay by David Seidler
SHOOTING SCRIPT 4th November 2009 PINK REVISIONS - 9th November 2009 BLUE REVISIONS - 16th November 2009 YELLOW REVISIONS - 22nd November 2009 GREEN REVISIONS - 19th December 2009 GOLDENROD REVISIONS - 6th January 2010 SALMON REVISIONS - 20th January 2010
See-Saw Films 26 Lloyd Baker Street London WC1X 9AW +44 (0)207 278 0516 info@see-saw-films.com Bedlam Productions 22 D'Arblay Street London W1F 8EQ +44 (0)207 287 6317 info@bedlamproductions.co.uk
SALMON REVISIONS 20-01-10
1.
OPEN ON: THE SCREEN starts to flicker and materializes into jumpy, black and white Pathe ARCHIVE NEWSREEL FOOTAGE:
An air balloons view hovering over a huge sprawling site of monuments, pavilions, and crowds. Dramatic piano music plays as a shaky archive TITLE CARD appears. "The British Empire Exhibition!" The flickering ARCHIVE FOOTAGE resumes: carriages parading around a packed stadium. TITLE CARD: "58 British colonies and dominions take part, making this the largest exhibition staged anywhere in the world." ARCHIVE FOOTAGE of the Palaces of Industry, Engineering and Arts. Australian, Canadian, South African, Burmese Pavilions....teeming with visitors...as if viewing a populated map of the British empire laid out before us. TITLE CARD: Complete with a new Empire Stadium, the Exhibition has been built at a site in Wembley, Middlesex, at a cost of over 12 million pounds!" FADE DOWN TO: 2 INT. BBC BROADCASTING HOUSE, STUDIO - DAY CLOSE ON a BBC microphone of the 1920's, of machinery suspended on springs. OVER OPENING CREDITS: Someone clears their throat. Indistinct broadcasting studio comments are heard in the background...Is the live feed ready from Wembley?...Standby... A BBC NEWS READER, in a tuxedo with carnation boutonniere, is gargling while a TECHNICIAN holds a porcelain bowl and a towel at the ready. The man in the tuxedo expectorates discreetly into the bowl, wipes his mouth fastidiously, and signals to ANOTHER TECHNICIAN who produces an atomizer. The Reader opens his mouth, squeezes the rubber bulb, and sprays his inner throat. Now, hes ready. The FLOOR MANAGER begins a count-down: five... four... three... two... END OPENING CREDITS 2 A formidable piece
2.
The reader speaks in flawless pear-shaped tones. higher creature in the vocal world.
Theres no
BBC NEWS READER Good afternoon. This is the BBC National Programme and Empire Services taking you to Wembley Stadium for the Closing Ceremony of the Second and Final Season of the Empire Exhibition. 3 INT. GREEN ROOM, WEMBLEY STADIUM - DAY CLOSE ON a man's hand clutching a woman's hand. Womans mouth whispers into man's ear. BBC NEWS READER (V.O.) 58 British Colonies and Dominions have taken part, making this the largest Exhibition staged anywhere in the world. Complete with the new stadium, the Exhibition was built in Wembley, Middlesex at a cost of over 12 million pounds. The Exhibition has attracted over 27 million visitors from every corner of our great Empire and the rest of the world. 4 INT. CONTROL ROOM, BBC BROADCASTING HOUSE - DAY 4 3
* *
* * * * * * * * *
Technicians in suits, ties and scientific looking overcoats, wearing bulky headphones, monitor daunting banks of valves and dials while the Reader continues: BBC NEWS READER (V.O.) Today the vast Stadium is filled to capacity with in excess of 100,000 spectators...as regiments from His Majesty's Army, Navy and Air Force stand in review. 5 - 7 8 OMITTED INT. GREEN ROOM - DAY Nervous eyes flick towards a tunnel leading to a bright light. CLOSE ON - BERTIE - the Duke of York, second son of the King; his handsome, sensitive, features look terrified. BBC NEWS READER (V.O.) The Opening Ceremony was the first occasion his Majesty the King addressed his subjects on the wireless. * * 5 - 7 8
2aA.
The close of the first Season was the initial time His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales had broadcast. And today His Royal Highness the Duke of York will give his inaugural broadcast to the Nation and the World.
* * * * * *
2A.
WIDEN TO REVEAL his young wife, truly an English rose.
3.
ELIZABETH Bertie, its time. He stares straight ahead, frozen. She gives him a loving peck on the cheek, quickly rubbing off a fleck of lipstick. BBC NEWS READER (V.O.) Leading us in prayer will be the Right Honourable and Most Reverend Archbishop of York, Primate of all England and Metropolitan. Now we go live to Wembley Stadium, where His Royal Highness the Duke of York will read his message from the King. COSMO LANG - comes up to Bertie. Tries to be helpful but makes him more nervous. COSMO LANG I am sure you will be splendid. Just take your time. The last bars of God Save The King echo down the corridor. ROBERT WOOD, the Chief BBC Engineer on Location whispers: WOOD Let the microphone do the work, sir. Wood checks his watch. WOOD Thirty seconds, sir. Bertie braces his shoulders manfully, but without an ounce of confidence, closes his eyes, nods, opens them, and reluctantly goes through the tunnel towards the light, like a prize-fighter entering the arena, to be greeted by the roar of the crowd. 9 EXT. ROYAL PODIUM - DAY 9 * * * * * * *
HAND-HELD CAMERA, BERTIES POV: far ahead, at a seemingly impossible distance, is the huge intimidating microphone, the only thing between the terrified observer and 100,000 people. Silence falls over the stadium. Overhead, thick roiling clouds. BERTIE approaches...like a death march. Berties eyes widen in terror as he reaches the microphone. The red transmission light blinks four times then glows solid red. Bertie is live.
3aA.
10
INT. CONTROL ROOM, BBC BROADCASTING HOUSE - DAY
10
Technicians stare at dials and listen to the hiss of silence.
3A.
The Reader and Floor Manager glance at each other nervously.
4.
11
EXT.
SPECTATOR STAND, EMPIRE STADIUM -DAY
11
In the tense silence PAN THROUGH some of the crowd waiting with growing discomfort. In particular we notice a father and son watching intently. 12 EXT. ROYAL PODIUM - DAY 12
Bertie is frozen at the microphone. His neck and jaw muscles contract and quiver. BERTIE I have received from his Majesty the K-K-K [For ease of reading, Berties stammer will not be indicated from this point in the script.] The stammer careens back at him, amplified and distorted by the stadium PA system. CU huge metal speakers. CU soldiers at rigid attention. CU Wood, he shuts his eyes. CU Cosmo Lang, expressionless. CU Elizabeth, dying. Bertie gulps for air like a beached fish and attempts to continue: BERTIE ...the King, the following gracious message... He cant get the word out. SPLAT...the first drops of rain begin to fall. 13 INT. CONTROL ROOM, BBC BROADCASTING HOUSE - DAY Everyone 13
A glowing dial on the face of a studio radio. listens aghast.
BERTIE (ON RADIO) (stammering profoundly) ...At the close of the British Empire Exhibition, I wish to express my thanks to you as P-... The radio falls silent. Eyes widen in concern.
4A.
14
EXT.
WEMBLEY STADIUM - DAY
14
Bertie stands gulping, unable to make a sound.
5.
IN THE SPECTATOR STANDS the people are dismayed. The son, noted before, whispers to his father, who whispers something back. The rain increases in intensity. POP POP POP black umbrellas explode into extended position. A sea of black umbrellas hiding the faces of the crowd, blocking Bertie from their view. Bertie remains skewered, mouth agape, jaw muscles locked, knowing hes considered by all, especially himself, unfit for public life. Elizabeth is devastated. 15 EXT. 145 PICADILLY - NEW DAY 15
Establishing shot of an imposing Georgian edifice, opposite Hyde Park Corner. In the foreground people pay their respects at the WWI monument with fresh wreaths. A Rover sedan - definitive doctors car of the era - arrives. A FOOTMAN scurries down the steps to meet it as the STEWARD opens the front door. 16 INT. CORRIDOR, 145 PICCADILLY - CONTINUOUS 16
TRACKING SHOT - two sets of shoes reverberate on the marble floor. One set, highly polished black shoes, black trousers, occasional glimpse of frock-coat tails. The other, equally mirrored dress shoes and stripped morning suit trousers. A gloved hand carries a brass bound leather physicians bag. The legs disappear through an open doorway. announces: STEWARD (O.C.) Sir Blandine-Bentham. The liveried legs reappear from the entryway. The door is closed. The legs walk back out of view, echoing and receding. SIR BLANDINE-BENTHAM(O.S.) Inhale, Your Highness. 17 INT. DRAWING ROOM, 145 PICCADILLY - CONTINUOUS 17 A voice
CLOSE ON SIR BLANDINE-BENTHAM - an elderly, unctuous, studiedly-distinguished physician who simultaneously manages to combine pontificating and obsequiousness.
5A.
SIR BLANDINE-BENTHAM ...deep into your lungs. Relaxes your Tzone, does it not?
6.
Bertie is seated nervously on the edge of a couch, gripping a cigarette between thumb and forefinger, placed in the middle of his mouth. Elizabeth watches from across the room. SIR BLANDINE-BENTHAM Cigarette smoking calms the nerves and gives you confidence. Bertie clearly feels nothing of the sort. Smiling ingratiatingly, the doctor produces a medical cannister from his bag. SIR BLANDINE-BENTHAM If Your Highness will be so kind as to open his hand... Bertie unclenches a fist. SIR BLANDINE-BENTHAM Thank you so very much. Opening the container, with forceps he removes five marbles from an antiseptic solution and places them onto Berties palm. SIR BLANDINE-BENTHAM Sterilized. Now...if I may take the liberty?...insert them into your mouth. Bertie obeys, mortified. his bag. The doctor hands Bertie a book from
SIR BLANDINE-BENTHAM Would you be so kind as to read. Bertie blanches, his neck muscles twitch and constrict BERTIE I... He cant even say cant. SIR BLANDINE-BENTHAM Just take your time. Relax. Bertie is unable to do it. discomfort. Elizabeth watches with growing
ELIZABETH Excuse me, Doctor. What is the purpose of this? SIR BLANDINE-BENTHAM The classic approach that cured Demosthenes.
7.
ELIZABETH That worked in Ancient Greece. Has it worked since? Bertie spits the marbles out. BERTIE (explodes) I nearly swallowed the damned things! Bertie storms out as Elizabeth tries to placate the doctor. ELIZABETH Thank you so much, Doctor, I am sure we will have more success next time. Elizabeth goes through to the adjoining room to find Bertie. 18 19 OMITTED INT. BERTIES STUDY, 145 PICCADILLY - CONTINUOUS 18 19
Bertie is struggling to light a cigarette. ELIZABETH Temper, Bertie darling, temper. Tick, tock, tick, tock. BERTIE Insert marbles! He can insert his own bloody marbles....! [Note: when he speaks with his wife theres hardly any hesitation] Elizabeth smiles as she lights the cigarette for him. ELIZABETH You cant keep doing this, Bertie. BERTIE Precisely. No. I cant.
ELIZABETH There must be another way. BERTIE No! Promise me: no more. Elizabeth holds him, comforting. ELIZABETH Of course, my darling boy. No more. CUT TO:
7A.
20
EXT.
HARLEY STREET - NEW DAY
20
A thick grey wet blanket... Out of which materializes the moisture splattered hood of a large AUSTIN. Elizabeth, inside, determinedly glances out. The vehicle noses thru a pea-soup fog. The Yorks HOUSE DETECTIVE is walking a few feet in front of the car, finding the way. After a moment, the House Detective signals the driver to stop. Elizabeth peers out the window. POV - in the gloom the least attractive and most illmaintained of the Georgian terraced houses. Elizabeth looks disappointed and dubious. She gets out of the car. Instructing the House Detective to wait outside, she enters the building.
8.
21
INT. GROUND FLOOR ENTRANCE, HARLEY STREET - CONTINUOUS Elizabeth enters, somewhat dampened, the white silk roses decorating her hat now limp.
21
There is a cramped elevator which is whirring noisily and a winding staircase. Elizabeth is even more dubious. Suddenly out of the elevator comes a WWI VETERAN, still wearing his old uniform, as so many did. His once handsome face disfigured with burn scars. With a nod he continues out. Elizabeth smiles charmingly, as is her nature and training, but this encounter is hardly a confidence builder. 22 INT. ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS Elizabeth inside the cramped elevator. She surveys the buttons. The bottom one reads Basement: L. Logue, Speech Defects. She closes the inner gate of the elevator and presses the bottom button. Nothing. Confused, she opens the inner gate, closes the outer gate then the inner gate and presses the button again. The elevator jumps downwards. 23 INT. WAITING ROOM, LOGUES CHAMBERS - CONTINUOUS 23 22
Umbrella stand, coat rack, wooden waiting bench: thats all. She looks about. The area is devoid of life. Coughs. No response. Calls imperiously: ELIZABETH Hello. Is anyone there? From behind a door: MUFFLED VOICE (O.S.) Im just in the lav.
8A.
Princess Elizabeth is not used to this sort of thing. Shes further appalled by the loud gurgling of a toilet being flushed, and startled by the entrance of - LIONEL LOGUE - a tall, middle-aged man with strong features, recognizable as the family man noted at Wembley, but now a decade older. His demeanor is friendly, yet professional. LIONEL Poor and content is rich and rich enough
9.
ELIZABETH I beg your pardon? LIONEL Shakespeare. Im sorry, theres no receptionist. I like to keep things simple. How are you Mrs Johnson? Im afraid youre late. Offers his hand. She takes it, a little gingerly.
ELIZABETH Im afraid I am. LIONEL Wheres Mr J? ELIZABETH He doesnt know Im here. LIONEL Thats not a promising start. ELIZABETH My husband has seen everyone to no avail. Hes given up hope. LIONEL Premature, isnt it? ELIZABETH Because he hasnt seen you? Youre awfully sure of yourself. LIONEL Im sure of anyone who wants to be cured. ELIZABETH Naturally he wishes to be cured. My husband is required to speak publicly. LIONEL Perhaps he should change jobs. ELIZABETH He cant. LIONEL Indentured servitude? ELIZABETH Something of that nature. LIONEL Well have your hubby pop by...Tuesday would be good...to give his personal history and Ill make a frank appraisal.
10.
ELIZABETH I do not have a hubby. We dont pop. We never talk about our private lives. You must come to us. LIONEL Sorry, Mrs J, my game, my turf, my rules. ELIZABETH And what if my husband were the Duke of York? LIONEL The Duke of York? ELIZABETH Yes the Duke of York. LIONEL I thought the appointment was for Johnson? Forgive me, your Royal...? ELIZABETH Highness. LIONEL Highness. ELIZABETH Johnson was used during the Great War when the Navy didnt want the enemy to know he was aboard. We are operating under the strictest of confidences. LIONEL Of course. Im considered the enemy? ELIZABETH You will be if you remain un-obliging. LIONEL How did you find me? ELIZABETH The President of the Speech Specialists Society. LIONEL Eileen McCleod? Shes a sport. ELIZABETH Dr McCleod warned me your antipodean methods were unorthodox and controversial. I warned her...they were not my favorite words. LIONEL I succeed.
10A.
ELIZABETH So she says.
11.
LIONEL I can cure your husband. But for my method to work there must be trust and total equality in the safety of my consultation room. No exceptions. ELIZABETH Well then, in that case... Pause. ELIZABETH Since you are the last resort...When can you start? 24 EXT. SOUTH KENSINGTON STREET - LATE AFTERNOON 24
A well-used Morris Oxford pulls up, driven by Lionels eldest son - LAURIE - seen at Wembley, now a young man in his early twenties. Lionel is the passenger. As he gets out: LIONEL Still sounds a bit rough. LAURIE You make me drive too slowly, Dad! They enter a modest dwelling.
25
INT.
MANSION BLOCK STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS
25
Lionel mounts the stairs when hes set upon by his youngest son - ANTONY - 12, who wears a large brown paper bag, with eyeholes, over his head and is armed with a broomstick rifle, which he puts to his fathers briefcase. ANTONY Bail up! Lionel holds his hands and brolly up. LIONEL Beware, Mister Paperbagman! ANTONY Dad! Im Ned Kelly.
12.
LIONEL And Im Dick Turpin, King of the Highwaymen! The lad shouts with delight and a rifle fight ensues, Laurie joining in. Lionels wife - MYRTLE - a pleasant-faced woman, appears at the head of the stairs. MYRTLE Youll hang from the gallows if you dont come up for tea. LIONEL I think wed best go. ANTONY Righty-oh Dick. 26 INT. DINING AREA OF LIVING-ROOM, LOGUE FLAT - EVENING 26
Lionel and MYRTLE are finishing up at the table with their three sons. As well as Laurie and Antony, theres their studious middle son VALENTINE, 17, his nose buried in a stack of science books. Lionel is bursting to tell Myrtle something. LIONEL Guess what? I had a special visitor today. ANTONY May I be excused? MYRTLE (to Lionel) Oh yes? LIONEL You must stay, bored stupid, listening to your parents inane conversation. ANTONY (grinning) Thanks, dad! LIONEL And mum. ANTONY And mum! MYRTLE How special is special?
12A.
LAURIE Me too? LIONEL A girl? LAURIE What else?
13.
He and Antony start to leave. MYRTLE Take your plates. LIONEL Special to the point of someone I cant really talk about. The boys grabs their plates and exit. Lionel looks at Valentine, nose still buried in his text. LIONEL Doctor? Doctor? You can go as well. VALENTINE (still studying) Im fine. Lionel clears Valentines plate. Valentine goes back to his book and scientific oblivion. MYRTLE Not too high and mighty I hope? LIONEL Aah. Antony burst back in, model airplane in hand, doing barrel rolls with sound effects, bombing Valentine with a tea towel. MYRTLE Not someone whod...call attention? Why bring it up if you cant talk about it? Silence. LIONEL Myrtle, just a woman looking to help her husband. They realize from engine noises that Antony is under the table. LIONEL (trying to make light of it, not quite succeeding) And I had a call. MYRTLE Oh yes. Valentine looks up from his book.
14.
VALENTINE Whats the Illiotibial Tract, Dad? LIONEL If you dont know, look it up. VALENTINE Right. Starts turning pages. LIONEL Could be fun. MYRTLE It always is. LIONEL Theyre a highly regarded group. From Putney. MYRTLE Im sure youll be splendid. 27 EXT. YORK HOUSE, 145 PICADILLY - NIGHT 27
Lights are on in the upper windows. A double-decker bus passes on the wet street. ELIZABETH (V.O.) Tomorrow, Chapter IV. 27A INT. CORRIDOR, 145 PICCADILLY - CONTINUOUS 27A
PAN OVER THE BACKS of 36 impeccably groomed horses. It takes a moment to realize they are toy horses, lined up with precision. ELIZABETH (V.O.) The Flight. BERTIE (V.O.) Oh, to fly away! 28 INT. CHILDRENS NURSERY, YORK HOUSE - CONTINUOUS 28
Elizabeth, fashionably attired for an evening-out, is curled on a bearskin rug reading to a little girl - LILIBET, 10 who claps her hands primly, and her younger sister - MARGARET ROSE, 5. As Elizabeth closes the book (Peter Pan), Bertie, handsome in a tuxedo, comments:
15.
BERTIE Werent they lucky! Within his family Berties stammer is virtually absent. MARGARET ROSE Now a Daddy story! BERTIE Could I be a penguin instead? He drops to his knees and waddles. In his tux he looks like a penguin. Margaret Rose giggles, but is undeterred. MARGARET ROSE Tell me a penguin story, please. Called upon to perform, the stammer returns slightly, but the girls listen raptly, ignoring their fathers minor impediment, and it fades. BERTIE There were once two princesses whose Papa had been turned into a penguin by the local witch. This was inconvenient because he loved to hold his princesses in his arms and you cant do that if youre a penguin, you have wings shaped like herrings. MARGARET ROSE Herrings dont have wings. BERTIE His wings were the shape of herrings. To make matters worse she sent him to the South Pole which is an awfully long walk if you cant fly. LILIBET You cant walk from the South Pole! ELIZABETH Shh! BERTIE Exactly. When he reached the water and dived in he found he could fly. Fly through the depths. So fast, in fact, that he was in Southampton Waters by lunchtime. From there he caught the 2.30 to Weybridge, changed at Clapham Junction and asked a passing Mallard the way to Buckingham Palace. He swam up the Thames and came out of a plughole, giving Mama, the cook and Mrs Whittaker quite a shock.
15A.
The princesses heard the commotion and hurried to the kitchen where they gave the penguin a good scrub, a mackerel and a kiss. And as they kissed him guess what he turned into? LILIBET AND MARGARET ROSE A handsome prince! BERTIE A short-tailed Albatross. A very handsome one with wings big enough to wrap around both his precious girls together. (He hugs them both together) ELIZABETH Now time for bed. BERTIE Now take the saddles of your horsies, brush them, feed them and to bed.
16.
28A
INT. STAIRCASE - CONTINUOUS As they leave for the night: ELIZABETH Will she be there? BERTIE I imagine so. ELIZABETH Is he serious? BERTIE About our coming to dinner? ELIZABETH No. About her! BERTIE A married American? He cant be. ELIZABETH She can. By the way I think I found someone rather interesting. On Harley Street. BERTIE Out of the question. Im not having this conversation again. The matters settled. ELIZABETH His approach seems rather different....
28A
29
INT.
A STAGE - DAY
29
In a church or school hall, out of hours. MUFFLED VOICE (O.S.) Now? From the auditorium: DIRECTOR (O.C.) Now!
16A.
Lionel comes onstage. LIONEL Now... (begins again) Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York.
17.
His elocution is flawless. The acting is unconvincing. LIONEL And all the clouds that lourd upon our house In the deep bosom of the ocean buried. Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths; Our bruised arms hung up for monuments... DIRECTOR Thank you. Lionel peers into the darkness, his eyes hoping. DIRECTOR Lovely diction, Mr... LIONEL Logue. Lionel Logue. DIRECTOR Well, Lionel, I didnt hear the cries of a deformed creature yearning to be King. Nor did I realize Richard the Third was King of the Colonies. LIONEL I know the lines. Ive played the role before.
DIRECTOR Sydney? LIONEL Perth. DIRECTOR Major theater town, is it? LIONEL Enthusiastic. DIRECTOR Ah. LIONEL I was well reviewed. DIRECTOR Yes...well...Lionel, I think our dramatic society is looking for someone slightly younger and a little more regal. 30-35 OMITTED 30-35
17A.
36
EXT. HARLEY STREET - DAY
36
Bertie and Elizabeth are pulling up in the Austin outside the dirty building. BERTIE Im doing this for you, you know. Bertie stares up at the facade as they get out.
18.
37 38
OMITTED INT. GROUND FLOOR ENTRANCE, 146 HARLEY STREET The Yorks enter the tiny elevator. Bertie shuts the inner gate. ELIZABETH (indicating outer gate) No, darling, shut that one first. Bertie gets the gates closed and Elizabeth presses the button. BERTIE How did you find this...physician? ELIZABETH (poker-faced) Classifieds, next to Saucy model, Shepherds Market. Bertie tries to smile despite his mood, but doesnt make a job of it. ELIZABETH He comes highly recommended. Charges substantial fees in order to help the poor. (realizes) Oh dear, perhaps hes a Bolshevik?!
37 38
39
INT. LOGUES WAITING ROOM - DAY Bertie and Elizabeth enter. She explains in a whisper: ELIZABETH No receptionist. He likes to keep things simple. Elizabeth glances nervously at the lavatory door. ELIZABETH (loudly) The Johnsons. From the inner office. LIONEL (O.S.) Finishing up. Elizabeth is relieved the voice isnt coming from the lav.
39
19.
The consultation room door opens and a young boy - WILLY comes out. WILLY You can go in now, Mr. Johnson. (then to Elizabeth) Dr Logue says... LIONEL (O.S.) Lionel! WILLY Lionel says...wait here if you wish, Mrs Johnson. Or, it being a p-pleasant day, pperhaps take a stroll. (to the consultation room) Was that alright...Lionel? Lionel appears at the door. LIONEL Bloody marvellous. WILLY Thank you... Lionel winks at Willy and he runs off.
20.
LIONEL (O.S.) Mr. Johnson, do come in. Lionel nods at Mrs Johnson. The Yorks look at each other. Elizabeth takes a seat. 40 INT. LOGUES CONSULTATION ROOM - DAY 40
A different universe from the Spartan waiting area. A world of books - piles of them spilling everywhere. Two slightly shabby, but comfortable armchairs. Well-worn Turkish rug. Hotplate and two chipped mugs. Recording apparatus. Model Airplanes. Lionel catches Bertie staring at them. LIONEL My boys build them. Sorry. Make yourself comfortable. Bertie sits uneasily on an armchair. distance. Bertie remains silent. LIONEL I was also told, speaking with a Royal, one waits for the Royal to choose the topic. BERTIE I admit, waiting for me to commence a conversation one can wait a rather long wait. [Although Berties stammer in the consultation room will fade, it is a gradual process.] Silence. LIONEL Know any jokes? BERTIE (wry) Royals dont joke. Lionel goes to sit at a
21.
LIONEL That makes sense. Silence. They stare at each other. LIONEL Cuppa tea? BERTIE No thank you. LIONEL I think Ill have one. Turns on the hot plate. BERTIE Arent you going to start treating me Dr Logue? LIONEL Only if youre interested in being treated. Call me Lionel. BERTIE I prefer Doctor. LIONEL I prefer Lionel. Whatll I call you? BERTIE Your Royal Highness. LIONEL A bit formal for here. BERTIE Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George? LIONEL How about Bertie? BERTIE (flushes) Only my family uses that. LIONEL Perfect. We must be true equals. BERTIE If we were equal I wouldnt be here. Id be at home with my wife and no-one would give a damn. Bertie starts to light a cigarette from a silver case. LIONEL Dont do that.
22.
Bertie gives him an astonished look. BERTIE Excuse me? LIONEL Sucking smoke into your lungs will kill you. BERTIE My physicians say it relaxes the throat. LIONEL Theyre idiots. BERTIE Theyve all been knighted. LIONEL Makes it official then. My castle, my rules. What was your earliest memory? BERTIE Beg your pardon? LIONEL First recollection. BERTIE (stammer growing in intensity) Im not here to discuss personal matters. LIONEL Whyre you here then? BERTIE (exploding - stammer free) Because I bloody well stammer! LIONEL Temper. BERTIE One of my many faults. LIONEL When did the defect start? BERTIE Ive always been this way! LIONEL (quietly) No you havent. BERTIE Dont tell me! Its my defect!
23.
LIONEL (calmly) Its my field. I assure you, no infant starts to speak with a stammer. When did it start? BERTIE (annoyed) Four or five. LIONEL Thats typical. BERTIE So Ive been told. (quickly adds) I cant remember not doing it. LIONEL That I believe. Do you hesitate when you think? BERTIE Dont be ridiculous. LIONEL One of my many faults. How about when you talk to yourself? Bertie is silent. LIONEL Everyone natters occasionally, Bertie. BERTIE Stop calling me that! LIONEL Shant call you anything else. BERTIE Then we shant speak! Silence. The kettle whistles. tea. BERTIE Must I pay for this? LIONEL Loads. So, Bertie...when you talk to yourself, do you stammer? BERTIE Of course not! Lionel makes himself a cup of
24.
LIONEL Thus proving your impediment isnt a permanent fixture. What do you think was the cause? BERTIE I dont know! I dont care! I bloody stammer!!! And no one can bloody fix it!!! LIONEL Bet you, Bertie, you can read flawlessly, right here, right now. Bertie snorts dismissively. LIONEL And if I win, I get to ask questions. BERTIE And if I win? LIONEL You dont have to answer. BERTIE One usually wagers money. LIONEL A bob each to sweeten it? See your shilling. BERTIE Royals dont carry cash. LIONEL How bloody convenient. Logue fishes two coins from his pocket and puts them on the table. LIONEL Stake you. Pay me back next time. BERTIE If there is a next time. LIONEL (nods) I havent agreed to take you on. Logue has uncovered a piece of apparatus, a recording device with earphones. He sets a blank disc onto the turntable and positions a microphone, then hands Bertie an open book. Bertie glares at it defiantly. BERTIE I cant possibly read this.
25.
LIONEL Then you owe me a shilling for not trying. Furious, Bertie opens the book and reads, stammers badly and gets worse. BERTIE To be or not to be, That is the question. Whether it is wiser... There! He reaches for the coins, but Lionel has clamped his hand over them. BERTIE I cant read! LIONEL Pop these on. And stand up! It helps! He hands Bertie a pair of heavily padded earphones. doesnt want to take them. LIONEL Theres a bob in this, mate. You can go home rich! Bertie reluctantly puts them on. Logue turns a dial. LOUD MUSIC is heard. Bertie takes off the earphones. The music stops. BERTIE Youre playing music. LIONEL I know. BERTIE How can I hear what Im saying?! LIONEL Surely a Royal Princes brain knows what its mouth is doing? BERTIE Youre not well acquainted with Princes, are you? Bertie replaces the earphones. Again, mouth moves as he reads, but all that music. Finished, Bertie takes off the ceases. Bertie reaches for the coins, them. BERTIE I was dreadful! the LOUD MUSIC. His can be heard is the earphones and the music but Logue snatches Bertie
26.
LIONEL You were sublime. Would I lie to a prince of the realm to win twelve-pence? BERTIE Ive no idea what an Australian might do for that sort of money. LIONEL Shall I play it? BERTIE No, its too embarrassing! LIONEL If you prefer, well just get on to the questions. BERTIE We wont!!! He heads for the door. Logue puts the record in a brown paper dust jacket and hands it to Bertie. LIONEL Souvenir? Bertie glances at the record. POV - the label: HMV His Masters Voice. 41 42 OMITTED INT. ELEVATOR, HARLEY STREET - DAY The Yorks stand in silence. Bertie glares at the record. BERTIE Bloody man tried to cheat me out of a shilling. 42aA 42A OMITTED EXT. SANDRINGHAM ESTATE - DAY 42aA 42A 41 42
Establishing shot in the snow. A cold and commanding voice is heard:
26A.
KING GEORGE V (O.S.) Sit up, straight back, face boldly up to the bloody thing and stare it square in the eye, as you would any decent Englishman. Show whos in command. You try.
27.
42B
INT. THE KINGS STUDY, SANDRINGHAM ESTATE - CONTINUOUS
42B
The Kings study, which resembles an orderly naval captains cabin, except for a desk littered with stamp albums, has been converted into an ad hoc broadcasting studio. KING GEORGE V is a barrel-chested man with Naval beard and uniform. Bertie regards the BBC microphone as though it were an alien creature. BERTIE D-d-dont thu-thu-think I c-c-can. In the presence of his father, Berties stammering returns in full form, his breathing short and shallow, the neck muscles in spasms. KING GEORGE V This devilish device will change everything if you wont. In the past all a King had to do was look respectable in uniform and not fall off his horse. Now we must invade peoples homes and speak ingratiate ourselves with them. This family is reduced to those lowest, basest of all creatures...weve become...actors! BERTIE Papa, were not a family, were a firm. His father shoots Bertie a surprised look: does the lad have a brain after all? KING GEORGE V The most successful institution in history. Our cousins wear crowns throughout Europe. A dozen of them! Sitting on thrones is our business! Yet any moment some of us may be out of work. Your darling brother... The only wife he appears interested in is invariably the wife of another! BERTIE (tries to brighten things) Hes broken off with Lady Furness. KING GEORGE V And taken up a Mrs Simpson, a woman with two husbands living! Had the audacity to present her to me at Georgies wedding. I told him straight no divorced person could ever be received at court. He said she made him sublimely happy. I imagined that was because she was sleeping with him. I give you my word weve never had immoral relations, he replied.
28.
Stared square into his fathers eyes... and lied. Bertie groans. KING GEORGE V When Im dead that boy will ruin himself, this family, and this nation, within twelve months. Wholl pick up the pieces? Sir Oswald Mosley - marching his black-shirt British Union of Fascists through the streets of London? Herr Hitler, intimidating half of Europe, Marshall Stalin the other half? Wholl stand between us, the jackboots, and the proletarian abyss? You? Theyre interrupted by the entrance of the BBC engineer Robert Wood and his technicians. KING GEORGE V Ah, the chap who taught me how to use this contraption. Touch chin with thumb, thing with little finger. Exactly the proper distance. Splendid fellow. Has to be spoken fluently of course. Have a go yourself. Bertie tries to read the Kings speech. BERTIE . Through one of the mKING GEORGE V Get it out boy! BERTIE M-marvels of mKING GEORGE V Modern - just take your time - form your words carefully BERTIE Science, I am enabled, this CKING GEORGE V Relax. BERTIE CWOOD 30 seconds.
28A.
Bertie looks at his father. To his horror, his father gestures him to continue. BERTIE CBertie panics as the red light starts to flash. At the last minute King George V calmly replaces him at the microphone. The light turns solid red, and: KING GEORGE V Through one of the marvels of modern Science, I am enabled, this Christmas Day to speak to all my peoples throughout the Empire. I take it as a good omen that Wireless should have reached its present perfection at a time when the Empire has been linked in closer union. For it offers us immense possibilities to make that union closer still. It may be that our future may lay upon us more than one stern test. Our past will have taught us how to meet it unshaken. For the present, the work is to regain prosperity after this time of depression, without self-seeking; and to carry with us those whom the burden of past years has disheartened or overborne. 42BA INT. SANDRINGHAM, TEMPORARY CONTROL STUDIO - CONTINUOUS 42BA Wood, terribly moved, whispers to his Technicians: WOOD Thats how a King speaks. (adds modesty) I showed HM how to do it. 42C INT. STUDY, SANDRINGHAM - CONTINUOUS KING GEORGE V My lifes aim has been to serve as I might, towards those ends. Your loyalty, your confidence in me has been my abundant reward. To all - to each - I wish a Happy Christmas. God Bless You! The red transmission light goes out. FLASH: A camera goes off: the perfect picture of a Kings speech. 42C
29.
KING GEORGE V (getting up) You see, practice makes perfect. BERTIE Father, I dont think the people want to hear me. KING GEORGE V If your brother continues to neglect his duties youll have to do a lot more of this. Practise. BERTIE Father, I... KING GEORGE V Im sending you to the Midlands. Bertie is horrified at the prospect. 42D 42E OMITTED(NOW 42H) INT. BERTIES STUDY, YORK HOUSE - NEW NIGHT The HMV Label. Bertie, in grief and despair, is at his desk, staring at the record Logue made. Bertie takes a record and walks to a Victoria stand, lifts the arm, places the steel needle. It slips and slides across the records surface , as steel needles do. But what he hears is poetic and flowing: BERTIES RECORDED VOICE To be, or not to be, - that is the question: Elizabeth enters, unseen by Bertie and listens. ..Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to tale arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them? (the needle sticks) ...the sea of troubles, and by opposing end them? And by opposing end them? Bertie lifts the needle. BERTIE (V.O.) Stick strictly to business. 42D 42E
29A.
42F
INT.
LOGUES CONSULTATION ROOM - NEW DAY
42F
Bertie and Elizabeth have returned to the consultation room. BERTIE No personal folderol. ELIZABETH I thought Id made that very clear in our interview. Logue is silent, then: LIONEL Got the shilling you owe me? BERTIE No I dont! LIONEL Didnt think so. BERTIE Besides, you tricked me! LIONEL Which is why youve both returned. (tries to get them to understand) What youre asking will only deal with the surface of the problem. ELIZABETH Thats sufficient. My husband has difficulties with his speech. Just deal with that. BERTIE Im willing to work hard, Doctor Logue... LIONEL Lionel. BERTIE Are you willing to do your part? Logue considers, then tells Bertie: LIONEL Alright. You want mechanics? We need to relax your throat muscles and strengthen your tongue. By repeating tongue twisters for example. I am a thistle-sifter. I have a sieve of unsifted thistles. Because I am a thistle sifter.
29B.
BERTIE Fine. Lionel walks right up to a startled Bertie and prods him in the diaphragm. LIONEL You have a flabby tummy, you have to build up the strength in your diaphragm. Simple mechanics. BERTIE (backing away) That is all I ask. LIONEL All thats about a shillings worth. BERTIE Forget about the bloody shilling! (calm again) Perhaps, upon occasion, I shall request some assistance in coping with a minor event. Will that be agreeable? LIONEL Of course. BERTIE That will be the full extent of your services. Shall I see you next week? LIONEL I shall see you every day. On Bertie, reacting.
42G
MONTAGE Many different sessions, many different days, all in the consultation room. CU of Berties mouth. Humming. LIONEL Hum for as long as you like. Hmmmmmmmmmm. And when youre ready, Mother. BERTIE Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmother. LIONEL Beaut.
42G
29C.
CUT TO: LIONEL A simple outward breath. FFFFF Heat for the aa. FFFFFather. Just slide into it. BERTIE FFFFFFFFFFFFather. CUT TO: LIONEL For loosening the jaw Bertie and Lionel both have their individual hands clasped and are shaking them, vibrating their chest and loosening their jaw. As their jaws wobble, they omit a vibrating sound. BERTIE Ahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahah.
LIONEL (at the same time) Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, LIONEL Deep breath. Expand your chest...lift your diaphragm...allow the column of air into your stomach...How do you feel? BERTIE Full of hot air. LIONEL Because youre a public speaker. Bertie inhales deeply. CUT TO: Some fast cuts. Lionel handing him a cup of tea. Bertie doing slow breathing exercises. Bertie shouting something in frustration. BERTIE I will never get that. LIONEL Yes you can, come on, come on. CUT TO: Berties on the floor again.
29D.
LIONEL Deep breath. Hold. He turns to Elizabeth. LIONEL Now Maam, while you are here, you could again be of great assistance. If youd kindly sit on your husbands stomach. ELIZABETH Oh yes? LIONEL Gently of course. Elizabeth sits gingerly on Berties stomach, asking solicitously: ELIZABETH Are you alright, Bertie? Bertie nods. LIONEL Now exhale slowly...can you feel that resistance, Bertie? Down goes your Royal Highness...inhale slowly...and...up comes your Royal Highness. Exhale and down. Yes. Inhale and up. You get the idea. ELIZABETH This is actually quite good fun, Bertie. LIONEL You can do it at home. Doesnt have to be you, of course, but I thought hed prefer it to one of the staff. Lionel encourages Bertie to move as he reads a joke out. LIONEL Move, rock back and forth on the balls of your feet, keep the movement continuous and flowing. (Cut to:) Bertie stands framed by the open window. LIONEL I want you to release the five vowel sounds A aaaaaaaaaa each to last no less thatn 15 seconds. BERTIE Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...
29E.
LIONEL (tapping him on the diaphragm) Lets connect the toned diaphragm with your relaxed throat. Maam, would you be so kind as to be the timekeeper? Lionel hands her a stop watch. BERTIE ....aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa..... High up in the wall at the back of the building, a Harley Street physician peers out the window. LIONEL Anyone who can vibrate loudly in full view of the world can learn to give a speech. ELIZABETH Thats right Bertie. (checking warch) Now Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee... Lionel joins in. LIONEL Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..... BERTIE Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..... The sound of eeee becomes the roar of machinery
42H
INT.
MIDLAND FACTORY - NEW DAY
42H
Huge industrial wheels whir noisily in neutral as WORKERS line up dutifully to hear the visiting Royal. Berties lips move, but due to the racket he cannot be heard. Elizabeth watches in relief. A FOREMAN, trying to be helpful, signals. The machinery halts, the factory falls silent. At first, the momentum of speaking without being heard carries Bertie forward. BERTIE I assure you that my wife and I... Hearing his own voice reverberate through the cavernous factory Berties stammer returns. BERTIE ...ar-ar-are glad to vis-vis-visit... Bertie pauses. Takes a breath. Relaxes.
29EA.
BERTIE are glad to visit this important manufacturing district and see for ourselves one or two of the industries which have made it famous... He gets back into his stride, despite the silence. Bertie relaxes a little. From Elizabeth, a huge smile of relief.
30-31.
The sound of an approaching aircraft engine.
32.
43
EXT.
PRIVATE LANDING STRIP, SANDRINGHAM ESTATE - NEW DAY 43
Bertie waits beside a shooting break, a stiff breeze whipping his coat, as a small plane lands and taxis. While he waits Bertie practises breathing exercises. The cockpit canopy slides back and - DAVID - leaps out, removing his leather helmet and goggles, gold hair gleaming, a sun god descended from the skies. DAVID Hello, Bertie. Been waiting long? BERTIE Three days. Whereve you been? Bertie stammers badly in the presence of his brother. DAVID Been busy. BERTIE So was I. Elizabeth has pneumonia. DAVID Shell recover. Bertie shoots him a look. BERTIE Father wont. 44 INT./EXT. CAR (SHOOTING BREAK) ON SANDRINGHAM LANE CONTINUOUS David drives. Badly. DAVID Old buggers doing this on purpose. BERTIE Dying? The vehicle almost careens off the lane. wheel and straightens it. Bertie grabs the 44
33.
DAVID Departing prematurely to complicate matters. BERTIE Oh for heavens sake, David. DAVID Wallis explained. Shes terribly clever. 45 INT. KINGS BEDROOM, SANDRINGHAM - DAY 45
The King is propped up in his armchair, wrapped in his favorite faded Tibetan dressing gown. Hes attended by six members of his Privy Council - ARCHBISHOP LANG, LORD DAWSON his personal physician, LORD WIGRAM his private secretary, together with RAMSAY MACDONALD, LORD HAILSHAM and SIR JOHN SIMON. Also present is SIR MAURICE HANKEY, the Clerk to the Council. The Kings sons and daughter are in attendance. SISTER BLACK his nurse, is by the bedside. NURSE Feeling a little better Sir? KING GEORGE V No. Queen Mary enters. KING GEORGE V Have you been skating? QUEEN MARY No, George. The King then notices David, but clearly struggles to know who he is. Wigram presents a tray with papers and pen. LORD WIGRAM The Order for the Council for the State, Sir. So we may act on your behalf. Wigram reads out the Order and in a firm voice says: LORD WIGRAM Approved. Lord Dawson holds the pen as the King makes his mark. Then the King smiles and says to the assembled group:
33A.
KING GEORGE V I am sorry to have kept you waiting so long.
46
INT.
DINING HALL, SANDRINGHAM - NIGHT
46
Places set for nine. Queen Mary, Bertie and his brothers George and Henry, and sister Princess Mary are seated, waiting. As are Lang, Wigram, Dawson. One place remains empty. The Queen breaks the silence. QUEEN MARY When I die I want my jewellery divided equally. Elizabeth gets first choice. Shes not greedy. BERTIE Mother, you arent the one whos dying. QUEEN MARY Dont be impertinent. Where is David? BERTIE (uncomfortable) I think hes making arrangements.
34.
QUEEN MARY What sort of arrangements? BERTIE He didnt say. QUEEN MARY If your father were well, tardiness would not be tolerated. None of this..unpleasantness would be tolerated (A tiny moment of panic shows) Whatever are we going to do without him? (Then the facade returns) Fetch David.
47
INT.
LIBRARY, SANDRINGHAM - CONTINUOUS He
47
David, hunched over a table, appears to be sobbing. doesnt hear Berties discreet knock.
Seeing his brother crying, Bertie is deeply moved, puts a comforting hand on his shoulder. David pulls away as though touched by a leper and covers the receiver in his hand. DAVID Im on with Wallis! (continues as though Bertie didnt exist) I know, darling, a talk, even a lovely long talk, is a poor substitute for holding tight and making drowsy. Nor making our own drowsies either, as weve had to do far too often lately. (kisses the phone and hangs up) Wallis misses me terribly. BERTIE Mother says youre late for supper. David glares at a clock. DAVID Fathers bloody clocks, half an hour fast! He sets it back. 48 INT. DINING HALL, SANDRINGHAM - CONTINUOUS 48
David enters and sits between Lord Dawson and Archbishop Lang.
34aA.
DAVID (to Dawson) How is my father? I hope he is not in pain. LORD DAWSON No, no, hes quieter now. The butler enters and whispers to Lord Dawson and Lord Wigram. They both exit. QUEEN MARY David is the head of the family now. I shall move into Marlborough House. Pause. COSMO LANG (to David) You know the King and I often spoke about you. It would be a pity, Sir, if you were to misjudge me in this connexion. Believe me, I appreciate that you are different from your father in your outlook and temperament. I want you to know that whenever the King questioned your conduct, I tried in your interest to present it in a most favourable light.
34A.
DAVID (ironic) I can always trust you to have my best interests at heart. COSMO LANG (to Queen Mary) I was thinking of a simple Benediction. BERTIE I dont think that is what Papa would want. DAVID Hes not High Church, you know that. Awkward silence.
35.
QUEEN MARY All my children, at the same table. GEORGE Yes, Mama. Lord Wigram enters and whispers to Queen Mary. QUEEN MARY It seems our vigil will not be of long duration. 49 INT. LIBRARY, SANDRINGHAM - LATER 49
Lord Wigram, Lord Dawson and Archbishop Lang are huddled, with cigars and port, composing a news release on the back of a Sandringham menu card. Bertie and David stand apart, smoking. DAVID (referring to Lang) Who the buggery invited him? BERTIE Nobody knows. DAVID Someone should jolly well dis-invite him. BERTIE That would be rash. On the other side of the library...
35A.
COSMO LANG Tranquilly? Serenely? LORD WIGRAM Peacefully. The others nod. COSMO LANG The Kings life is moving peacefully to its... Termination? LORD WIGRAM Close. COSMO LANG ...close.
36.
LORD WIGRAM Ill telephone through to the BBC and alert The Times to hold the morning edition. Problem is...time is running short. The clock is approaching midnight. David and Bertie join the group. DAVID Fathers late for death, is he? LORD WIGRAM We dont want the news delivered by the afternoon press, do we? The brothers look at him. He explains: COSMO LANG Who knows what sensational side issues the disreputable tabloids might choose to report. Out on Lord Dawson, thinking. DISSOLVE TO: 50 INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE KINGS BEDROOM - NIGHT 50
David is leaning against the wall, weeping. Bertie comes from the bedroom to comfort him. David looks broken-hearted. DAVID Now Im trapped! Suddenly he pulls himself together with miraculous rapidity. 51 INT. KINGS BEDROOM, SANDRINGHAM - NIGHT 51
The nurse looks aghast as Lord Dawson prepares to administer an injection. LORD DAWSON Three quarters of a gram of morphia and a gram of cocaine injected into the distended jugular vein. NURSE Thats...
37.
LORD DAWSON You may leave. She does so, distraught. Lord Dawson gives the injection.
51A
INT. KINGS BEDROOM, SANDRINGHAM - NIGHT Lord Dawson takes the Kings pulse, consulting his watch. LORD DAWSON Time of expiration, 11:55 pm. Quite on schedule.
51A
Queen Mary takes her eldest sons hand and kisses it. Then the Duke of Kent does the same. QUEEN MARY Long live the King. DAVID (very emotional) I hope I will make good as he has made good. Slowly the ROAR OF A HUGE crowd is heard, growing in volume. Then rising above the roar, whipping it to even greater frenzy, a voice thats chillingly recognizable: Hitler, his words pouring forth in an unstoppable torrent. 52-53 54 OMITTED INT. LOGUES CONSULTATION ROOM - NEW DAY 52-53 54
Lionel is at his desk listening to the radio. Two of his sons sprawl on the floor. Valentine is studying for the School Certificate. Antony, the youngest, is taking a break from homework, building a model airplane. VALENTINE Turn the bugger off, Dad. LIONEL I wish we could. He switches off the wireless. ANTONY Dad? LIONEL What?
37A.
ANTONY Time for a Shake, dad?
38.
LIONEL (flattered) You sure? Allright put your thinking caps on. VALENTINE (looking up from his book) Go on, Dad. This was, and still is, a much loved ritual. Lionel disappears behind a door.. ANTONY Bet its the Scottish Play. VALENTINE Othello! LIONEL (OOMING OUT) Art thou afeard? VALENTINE (Without even looking up) Caliban! LIONEL Oh! ANTONY Carry on! Lionel has a pillow stuffed into his jacket to create a monstrous hunchback. His acting, performed just for his lads, is quite magical. LIONEL Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises, Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not. Sometimes a thousand twanging instruments Will hum about mine ears; and sometimes voices, That, if then I had waked after long sleep, Will make me sleep again: (to Valentine) Now You! VALENTINE ..and then, in dreaming, The clouds methought would open, and show riches Ready to drop upon me; that... LIONEL (overlapping) ...when I waked, I cried to dream again. Thats the sad bit. A KNOCK at the door. Lionel is not expecting anyone.
38A.
55
INT.
WAITING ROOM TO LOGUES CHAMBERS - DAY
55 He knocks
Bertie, wearing a black armband, is at the door. again. BERTIES VOICE Doctor Logue?
39.
56
INT.
LOGUES CONSULTATION ROOM - CONTINUOUS
56
Lionel covers: LIONEL Next patient must be early. Off you go, lads. Take the bus. Antony deposits the model plane on a chair, stows the building materials in a box. Valentine is already lost again in his book. Lionel takes it out of his hand, closes it, and hands it back. LIONEL You too, Doctor. But pats him on the back proudly. The boys exit the back way. BERTIES VOICE Lionel...? Are you there? 57 58 OMITTED INT. WAITING ROOM TO LOGUES CHAMBERS - CONTINUOUS The door opens. The two men stare at each other, not sure what to say. LIONEL Bertie, they told me not to expect you. (beat) Sorry about your father. BERTIE I didnt expect to be here. (gesturing towards the consultation room) May I? LIONEL Of course. BERTIE Ive been practising. One hour a day. In spite of everything. (notices) What happened? LIONEL Sore back. Lionel hastily removes the pillow, tossing it away. Realizes Bertie has entered the consultation room. 57 58
40.
59
INT.
LOGUES CONSULTATION ROOM - CONTINUOUS
59
Bertie starts to sit. LIONEL Not there! CRUNCH. A model airplane was nestling in the armchair. LIONEL Curtis bi-plane, now a Curtis mono-wing. BERTIE Terribly sorry. Tell your children Ill buy a new one. Lionel takes out the box of model building gear the boys left. LIONEL Ill fix it. (silence) So. What would you like to work on today? BERTIE My Fa-.... Bertie is completely locked. LIONEL Mine died rigid, fists clenched at his sides, cursing the Reaper: take me, you bastard! BERTIE What was he angry at? LIONEL Me. I was a great disappointment. BERTIE Thought hed be proud of you. LIONEL So did I. BERTIE A man of stature? LIONEL A brewer. BERTIE Oh. LIONEL At least there was free beer.
41.
Pause. BERTIE I was informed, after the fact, my fathers last words were: Bertie has more guts than the rest of his brothers put together. He couldnt say that to my face. Silence. BERTIE (blurts) My brother. Thats why Im here. LIONEL Whats he done? Cant say. BERTIE I cant puh-puh-puh...
His jaw and throat muscles constrict. LIONEL Try singing it. BERTIE Pardon? LIONEL Know any songs? BERTIE Songs? LIONEL Yes songs. BERTIE Swanee River. LIONEL How modern. BERTIE Happens to be my favorite. LIONEL Sing it then. Give me the chorus. BERTIE Certainly not. (fascinated by the plane repairs) Always wanted to build models. Father wouldnt allow it. He collected stamps. I had to collect stamps. No.
42.
LIONEL You can help. Bertie eagerly reaches for some balsa. LIONEL If you sing. (to Swanee River) When I was a boy with David...upon the Swanee River. BERTIE I cant waltz around warbling! LIONEL You can with me. BERTIE Because youre peculiar. LIONEL I take that as a compliment. Would you like a cup of tea? BERTIE No. Yes. Thank you. Lionel fires up the hot plate. LIONEL You were about to sing an aria concerning your brother. BERTIE Im not crooning Swanee River! LIONEL Try Camptown Races then. (sings) My brother D, he said to me, doo-dah doodah... That sort of thing. Did it cause friction? Knowing hed be King and you wouldnt? BERTIE Certainly not! Ive always looked up to David. LIONEL Why up? Youre taller. Two lumps or one? Bertie, a bit abashed, holds up three fingers. BERTIE Ive a sweet tooth. To tell the truth... LIONEL Always preferable.
43.
BERTIE ...it was a relief. Knowing I wouldnt be King. Reaches into his jacket for his cigarette case. LIONEL No smoking. Whats your age difference? BERTIE Eighteen months. LIONEL But for eighteen months you wouldve been top of the tree?! Bertie tries to reply but freezes in a profound blockage. In desperation he sings: BERTIE We didnt think about it that way, doctor. Doo-dah doo-dah. LIONEL You didnt stammer. BERTIE Of course I didnt stammer, I was singing! (realises) Oh... LIONEL Cut some struts. BERTIE David and I were very close. Young bucks... You know. LIONEL Chase the same girls? Bertie is silent. Lionel hands him a mug of tea. Bertie realizes its chipped and possibly none too clean. LIONEL Princess Elizabeth? Bertie almost spills his tea. BERTIE What an extraordinarily rude thing to say! (quickly under control) David tried to be her beau at one point. Before I met her. She wouldnt have him. Not like my father...he and his brother, when they were young, kept a girl in St Johns Wood and shared her on alternate nights.
44.
An uncomfortable silence. Too much has been said. LIONEL Now dope the other wing. Did David tease you? BERTIE They all did. Buh-buh-buh-Bertie. Father encouraged it. Get it out, boy! Said it would make me stop. Said...I was afraid of my father, and my children are damn well going to be afraid of me. Is this necessary?! LIONEL Otherwise the paint will eat through the tissue. BERTIE I mean the damn questions! Silence. Lionel has been watching Bertie work on the model. LIONEL Naturally right handed? BERTIE Left. I was punished. Now I use the right. LIONEL Anything else? Bertie you didnt come here to talk tongue twisters. BERTIE Knock knees. Lionel waits. BERTIE Metal splints were made...worn night and day. LIONEL That must have been painful. BERTIE Straight legs now. LIONEL Anything else? BERTIE Ah, yes...my first nanny loved David...hated me. When I was presented to my parents for the daily viewing, shed...
44A.
The stammering produced by the memory halts him. LIONEL Sing it. BERTIE (tunelessly) She pinch me so Id cry, and be sent away at once, then she wouldnt feed me upon the Swanee River. Doo-dah, doo-dah. (speaks) Took three years for my parents to notice.
45.
LIONEL A storybook childhood. BERTIE I still have recurring ulcers. A burst appendix prevented me from seeing much action in the Navy. Clearly still a source of humiliation. LIONEL Any serious maladies among your siblings? BERTIE Youngest brother. Johnnie. You didnt know? Sweet boy. Epilepsy...and...he was different. Died at 13, hidden from view. Too embarrassing for the family. (nervous) Ive been told its not catching. LIONEL Nor is stammering. BERTIE So its all in my head!? Purely my fault, is it? Well theres no fixing that! (stops) This is...tawdry! LIONEL Are you angry at me, or your brother? BERTIE I have a temper. I told you that. Bertie remains stubbornly silent. BERTIE Hes fallen in love! LIONEL Happens. BERTIE With the wrong sort of woman! LIONEL Whats the matter with her? BERTIE Shes American. Then blurts:
46.
LIONEL Some of them must be lovable. BERTIE This ones on her second marriage. Mrs Wallis Simpson of Baltimore. LIONEL Queen Wallis of Baltimore? BERTIE Unthinkable. LIONEL Does sound a bit iffy. Cant they carry on privately? BERTIE If only they would! Pause. BERTIE You know, Lionel, youre the first ordinary Englishman... LIONEL Australian. BERTIE ...Ive ever really spoken to. Sometimes, when I ride through the streets and see, you know, the Common Man staring at me, Im struck by how little I know of his life, and how little he knows of mine. LIONEL Whatre friends for. BERTIE I wouldnt know. MUFFLED DRUMS. 59A ARCHIVE FOOTAGE OF KING GEORGE VS STATE FUNERAL The common man, and woman, en masse. Thousands of them, solemn in their bereavement. 59A
47.
Funereal bagpipes wail, joining the measured drum-rolls. Ranks upon ranks of military personnel slow-stepping the ceremonial death march. Muffled cannons bark their salute. Startled, a large flock of blackbirds rise up and streak across the wintery sky. A Naval squad pulls a gun carriage that carries the Kings coffin draped with the Royal standard, on which rests the Royal crown topped by a jeweled Maltese Cross. On Whitehall, the gun carriage passes the Cenotaph. PATHE NEWSREEL ANNOUNCER All salute as they pass Cenotaph. One million died for him...as King George died for them. We see naval cadets salute to their right. END ARCHIVE FOOTAGE. 59AA EXT. WHITEHALL - DAY 59AA
David, very solemn, Bertie - pale and fragile, their brothers Henry and George all salute as they pass the Cenotaph. The crowd is silent. Lionel, Myrtle, and all three boys are part of the crowd, half a dozen rows back. Antony and Valentine have mirrors on sticks to see over the heads. LIONEL (whispers a running commentary to the boys) Thats the Prince of Wales. Hes now King because hes the oldest. Lionel spots... Bertie, in the procession passing by. Lionel stares at him. Tries to make eye contact. In the midst of this pomp and ceremony the immense potential importance of his client sinks in. Of course, Bertie doesnt see him. LIONEL Quite an irony...all this. MYRTLE Whys that?
47A.
LIONEL His children werent too fond of him. MYRTLE Lionel! What a thing to say. Whered you pick that up?
48.
LIONEL Heard it...at work. Lionel points, to distract. LIONEL Think the German will make it? Return to archive footage, a contorted limping German is seen. The procession of dignataries continues. PATHE NEWSREEL ANNOUNCER ....fifteen Kings of Europe and eleven Princes of the Realm are here... 60-63 64 OMITTED EXT. AUSTIN DRIVING THRU SCOTTISH ESTATE - NEW DAY BERTIE (O.S.) I sifted seven thick-stalked thistles through strong thick sieves. I sifted seven... ELIZABETH (O.S.) Bertie, isnt that enough? BERTIE (O.S.) I have to keep saying it. This is your fault. CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! The sound of an axe. 60-63 64
Fallen trees start to litter the roadside. 64A INT. AUSTIN, ROYAL COUNTRY ESTATE - CONTINUOUS 64A
Bertie and Elizabeth are dressed for a party. Outside, fallen trees, and more falling. Theyre aghast. ELIZABETH Five hundred year old oaks...removed to improve the view! BERTIE Nonetheless...we must try to be pleasant. ELIZABETH You know she calls me The Fat Scottish Cook? BERTIE Youre not fat.
48aA.
ELIZABETH Im getting plump.
48A.
BERTIE You seldom cook. She gives her husband a look, but realizes hes teasing. She gasps and points:
49.
POV - more trees being felled. BERTIE I sifted seven. ELIZABETH Shut up!! 65 66 OMITTED INT. BALLROOM, BALMORAL - DAY 65 66 * * * *
A weekend house party. Drinks at teatime. Five or six friends dance to a gramophone. A couple are already drunk. At the epicenter, David, the very picture of insouciance, and WALLIS, clinging to his arm, dripping in jewellery. Wallis most attractive physical feature is her back, displayed fully by her choice of dress. Surrounded by their entourage, they are the apex of chic. A FOOTMAN announces: FOOTMAN Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York. Elizabeth freezes as Wallis sweeps forward to greet them. WALLIS How lovely to see you both. Welcome to our little country shack. Elizabeth stares at her, incredulous, then sails past, announcing to no one in particular: ELIZABETH We came at the invitation of the King. Wallis is wrongfooted. Elizabeth and Bertie reach David. Elizabeth curtsies to David, and Bertie gives David a nod. BERTIE Hello David. DAVID Hello Bertie. Hello Elizabeth. David kisses Elizabeth on both cheeks. BERTIE I see youre making some changes to the garden. DAVID I am. I am not quite finished.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
49aA.
Davids eyes are drawn by Wallis. WALLIS David! She taps her champagne glass. A footman goes into action, but Wallis waves him off. David leaves instead. DAVID (calling to Wallis) Just be a sec, darling! Bertie pursues him. One of the guests - WINSTON CHURCHILL - nursing a glass of champagne moves up to Elizabeth. 67 INT. DRAWING ROOM/PORTRAIT GALLERY, BALMORAL - DAY 67
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Elizabeth is standing in front of a canvas of George IV when Churchill arrives at her side. ELIZABETH Dont tell me I behaved badly, Mr Churchill.
49A.
WINSTON CHURCHILL On the contrary, your Royal Highness. Etiquette decrees royalty must be greeted by the official host: in this case: the King. Not a commoner. You behaved impeccably. As always.
50.
ELIZABETH Thank you. WINSTON CHURCHILL Im always amused when youre referred to as being a commoner. As common as the Scottish kings from whom you descend. ELIZABETH Your flattery is profound. What is your agenda, Mr Churchill? WINSTON CHURCHILL (pause, then) Did she actually say what I thought she said? ELIZABETH You know she did. WINSTON CHURCHILL What is her hold on him? ELIZABETH Witchcraft. Apparently she helped him overcome a problem with things she learnt in an establishment in Shanghai. Churchill almost spills his new champagne. WINSTON CHURCHILL Mam, Id not realized you were so well versed in such matters. They catch a distant glimpse of David hurrying down a corridor, followed by Bertie, determined to catch up. 67A INT. CORRIDOR, BALMORAL - CONTINUOUS Bertie catches his brother. BERTIE Ive been trying to see you... DAVID Ive been terribly busy. 67A * * * *
51.
BERTIE Doing what? DAVID Kinging. BERTIE Really? Kinging? Kinging is a precarious business! Where is the Tsar of Russia? Where is Cousin Wilhelm? Is Kinging laying off eighty staff at Sandringham and buying yet more pearls for Wallis while there are people marching across Europe singing The Red Flag? DAVID Herr Hitler will sort that lot out. BERTIE Wholl sort out Herr Hitler? David hurries down some stairs. 67B INT. SERVANTS CORRIDOR/WINE CELLAR - DAY 67B * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
David is hunting for a bottle of champagne for Wallis in the wine cellar. DAVID Mothers not still in bed is she? BERTIE And youve put that woman into our mothers suite? DAVID Mothers not still in the bed, is she? BERTIE Thats not funny. David finds the bottle he was looking for.
52.
DAVID Wally likes the very best. (then) BERTIE I dont care what woman you carry on with at night, as long as you show up for duty in the morning!
He exits. Bertie follows. 67C INT. HALLWAY - DAY 67C
DAVID This is not just some woman I am carrying on with. This is the woman I intend to marry BERTIE Im sorry? DAVID Shes filing a petition for divorce. BERTIE Good God. 67D INT. PORTRAIT GALLERY, BALMORAL - CONTINUOUS Elizabeth is shocked, having just heard the news. WINSTON CHURCHILL No doubt you find it unacceptable an Empress of the Night should be Queen of England? ELIZABETH That would be calamitous. WINSTON CHURCHILL Please understand, David is King, which is why I stand with him. However, she need not be Queen. 67D
53.
ELIZABETH How so? Churchill refers to the painting theyre standing under. WINSTON CHURCHILL A relative? ELIZABETH Distant. WINSTON CHURCHILL Youre aware then, George IVs wife, Mrs. Fitzherbert, was very common indeed and previously married? ELIZABETH Nice attempt. That, however, was a very long time ago, and youre stirring with a very large spoon. WINSTON CHURCHILL She signed an agreement whereby she could never become Queen, and their children could not be Royal. A rather pragmatic morganatic arrangement, dont you agree? ELIZABETH I can assure you, Mr Churchill, to the family and the Church, no matter how represented, she is unacceptable. And do keep in mind, Im also a distant relative of Lady Macbeth. She moves off, leaving him flat-footed. WINSTON CHURCHILL Id disremember at my peril. 67E INT. HALLWAY/DRAWING ROOM, BALMORAL - DAY BERTIE Cant you just give her a nice house and a title? DAVID I wont have her as my mistress. BERTIE David, the Church does not recognise divorce and you are the head of the Church. DAVID Havent I any rights? BERTIE Many privileges... 67E * * * * * * * * *
54-55.
DAVID Not the same thing. Your beloved Common Man may marry for love, why not me? BERTIE If you were the Common Man, on what basis could you possibly claim to be King?! DAVID Been brushing up on our constitution have we? BERTIE Sounds like you havent. DAVID Is that what this is all about? Brushing up? Is that why youve been taking elocution lessons? BERTIE Im attempting t-t DAVID Thats the scoop around town. Yearning for a larger audience are we, B-b-b-bertie? BERTIE D-dont say such a thDAVID Young brother trying to push older brother off throne...Positively medieval. BERTIE DAnd Bertie is completely locked. David heads for Wallis, leaving his brother totally distraught. He pours her a glass of champagne. She shows she is pleased with him. 67F 68-73 OMITTED OMITTED 67F 68-73 * *
56.
74
INT. LOGUES CONSULTATION ROOM, HARLEY STREET - NEW DAY Bertie stands shattered, lost in painful memory. BERTIE My own brother... I couldnt say...I could say...I couldnt say a word in reply! LIONEL Why do you stammer more with David than you do with me? BERTIE Because youre bloody well paid to listen! The latter, angry, sentence is flawless. LIONEL Im not a geisha girl? BERTIE Stop trying to be so bloody clever! LIONEL What is it about David that stops you speaking? BERTIE What the bloody hell is it that makes you bloody well want to go on about David? LIONEL Vulgar but fluent. You dont stammer when you swear. BERTIE Bugger off! LIONEL Is that the best you can do? BERTIE Well bloody bugger to you, you beastly bastard. LIONEL My maiden aunt can do better than that. BERTIE Shit then. Shit, shit, shit! LIONEL See how defecation flows trippingly from the tongue?
74
56A.
BERTIE Because Im angry! LIONEL Ah. Know the f-word? BERTIE Fornication?
57.
LIONEL Bertie. Lionel gives him a look. BERTIE Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck! LIONEL Yes! You see! Not a hesitation! BERTIE Bloody, bloody, bloody! Shit, shit, shit! Bugger, bugger, bugger! Fuck, fuck, fuck! A knocking on the wall. ANTONY (O.S.) Dad? Whats going on? LIONEL (calls) Sorry. Finish your homework. Bertie laughs. LIONEL First time Ive heard you do that. BERTIE Royals arent allowed. Not in public. LIONEL Cant joke, cant laugh? (then referring to Antony on the other side of the wall) Shall we go for a walk? BERTIE Can we? LIONEL I think we should. Lionel throws him his hat and scarf. LIONEL Put on your spy clobber. 74A EXT. REGENTS PARK ORNAMENTAL GARDEN - DAY 74A
Bertie and Logue come into view talking. Bertie with his homburg pulled low, scarf wrapped high. The park is empty and bleak on this winters day. One can feel the cold chill; puffs of steam punctuating their words like smoke signals.
58.
BERTIE Thats all very well, Logue, but my next public appearance cant be an obscene operetta singing fuck! LIONEL It would sell tickets! BERTIE I was taught from childhood to serve a purpose. I came to you under the illusion I might learn to perform that function! LIONEL Which is what were doing! Any future appearances will be superbly staged, thoroughly rehearsed. Bertie, we can parse your speeches into manageable phrases. You can sing them, swear them, rehearse them til you get the rhythm and flow. Thats my job. Thats my duty. Every subjects duty is the Kings, but every subjects soul is his own. Shakespeare. Henry V. BERTIE Im not the King. LIONEL Im not saying you are. BERTIE Then why mention it? I am not the King.
LIONEL Thats not what I mean. BERTIE (strides off) Look here, Im not indulging in a public row! LIONEL Youre the one whos getting het up! WHACK. Something hits Bertie on the back. A soccer football. He wheels around. A group of local lads stare at him unabashed.
59.
Bertie belts it back and it overshoots the lads heads. LIONEL (following) Whats wrong? Whats got you so upset? BERTIE Logue, you have no idea. My brother is infatuated with a woman whos been married twice - and shes American. LIONEL Thats not a crime. BERTIE And shes asking for a divorce and David is determined to marry her. Mrs Wallis Simpson of Baltimore. LIONEL Queen Wallis of Baltimore? BERTIE Unthinkable. LIONEL Can he do that? BERTIE Absolutely not. But hes going to anyway. All hells broken loose. LIONEL Cant they carry on privately? BERTIE If only he would. LIONEL Where does that leave you? BERTIE I know my place! Ill do anything within my power to keep my brother on the throne. LIONEL Has it come to that? So the way things are going, your place may be on the throne. BERTIE I am not an alternative to my brother. LIONEL But you could outshine David... Lionel reaches out and gives Bertie a pat of comfort on the shoulder. Bertie pulls back in offended shock.
59A.
BERTIE Dont take liberties! Thats bordering on treason. LIONEL Im just saying you could be King. You could do it! BERTIE That is treason! They face each other, as though in combat. LIONEL Im trying to get you to realise you need not be governed by fear. BERTIE Ive had enough of this!
60.
LIONEL Whatre you afraid of? BERTIE Your poisonous words! LIONEL Whyd you show up then? To take polite elocution lessons so you can chit-chat at posh tea parties? BERTIE Dont instruct me on my duties! Im the brother of a King...the son of a King...we have a history that goes back untold centuries. Youre the disappointing son of a brewer! A jumped-up jackeroo from the outback! Youre a monster, Logue! These sessions are over! Bertie strides off in a fury. Lionel, equally angry, in the other. Two men moving apart in the cold wintery landscape, the ground mist rising. The Lionel stops. Turns. POV - Bertie has disappeared from view. CLOSE ON LIONEL as he realises...hes no longer therapist to a man who might have to become King. 75 INT. LIVING ROOM, LOGUE APARTMENT - NIGHT 75
The family is listening to their favorite radio show. Myrtle cleaning silver, Lionel doing bills, Valentine studying, Laurie and Antony glued to the speaker. Lionel looks totally dejected. MYRTLE Whats the matter, love? LIONEL Nothing. Lionel shrugs helplessly, glances at the boys. MYRTLE You look a bit blue. LIONEL Just trouble with a client. MYRTLE Oh yes. LIONEL Frightened of his own shadow.
60A.
MYRTLE Isnt that why they come to you? LIONEL But this chap... MYRTLE Yes?
61.
LIONEL This chap truly could be somebody great, and hes fighting me. MYRTLE But thats not your job. Perhaps he doesnt want to be great. Lionel is silent. MYRTLE Perhaps its only what you want him to be. LIONEL I overstepped the mark. MYRTLE Apologise, Lionel. Do you both good. Sometimes you do push a bit hard. They sit in silence. The kids laugh at the radio show. 76 EXT. BACK GARDEN ENTRANCE, 10 DOWNING STREET/HORSE GUARDS 76 PARADE - DAY A car pulls up. A bundled figure hurries out and slips in thru the garden entrance. 77 INT. BALDWINS STUDY, 10 DOWNING STREET - DAY 77
Bertie is with Prime Minister STANLEY BALDWIN, a stocky man with his hair parted straight down the middle. Their conversation in progress. BALDWIN Its not just because shes an American, a soon to be a twice divorced American, thats the least of it. Winstons mother was American. I apologise for the nature of this, but...
62.
according to Scotland Yard, we understand that the King did not possess exclusive rights to Mrs. Simpsons favours and affections, sharing them with a married used car salesman, a certain Mr Guy Trundle.In addition, Hitlers ambassador, Count von Ribbentrop, sends her 17 carnations every day...... Silence. BALDWIN We understand, Sir, that when Hitler entered the Rhineland your brother indicated his support to the German High Command. Pause. BERTIE I know that my brother has made attempts at preserving the peace. BALDWIN Unfortunately this now includes making a broadcast to the nation, telling his side of things. Asking the populace to accept Mrs Simpson and hell graciously agree to remain their Monarch. (Baldwin reads from a copy of Davids proposed text) He now feels that it is best to go away for a while so that his hearers may reflect calmly but without undue delay on what he has said BERTIE Thats BALDWIN Unconstitutional. The BBC has been instructed not to broadcast it. (pause) Sir, are you aware that his Majesty sought my advice in the matter of Mrs Simpson? BERTIE No, Prime Minister, I have not seen much of him lately. Having Should advice has no BALDWIN given it, I am bound to stand by it. your brother continue to ignore the of his Government, His Government choice but to resign.
63.
BALDWIN Labour has, quite decently, pledged not to step into the breach. BERTIE No government! BALDWIN That still leaves Churchill. Theres talk of forming a Kings Party. BERTIE Good God. What about the morganatic solution? BALDWIN Against my advice, but at the Kings insistence, Churchills suggestion of a morganatic marriage has been put to the Dominion Prime Ministers. Baldwin gets a sheath of telegrams. BALDWIN Australia, firmly: no. When informed, his Majesty said there werent enough people in Australia to worry about. Canada also declined. South Africa felt it inappropriate. The Irish Free State states, bluntly, our English King may marry who he wishes. New Zealand...New Zealand wavers. Theyd not heard of Mrs Simpson, and wondered who she might be. BERTIE Im afraid, Prime Minister, he is completely and utterly in her thrall. BALDWIN Does the King do what he wants, or does he do what his people expect him to do?
64.
77A
EXT. 145 PICCADILLY - DAY
77A
Light rain falling as the AUSTIN pulls up to the entrance and Bertie, escorted by footmen, hurries inside. ACROSS THE STREET a figure, umbrella in hand, watches, then approaches, goes to the door and rings. Its Lionel. He waits. A FOOTMAN appears, looks at Lionel in his damp trench-coat, glances at the street, seeing no waiting Rolls or Bentley: STEWARD Sir? LIONEL Ive come to see...His Royal Highness. STEWARD Youve an appointment, sir? LIONEL Its important. STEWARD May I take your card, sir? Produces a silver tray. Lionel doesnt have a card. LIONEL The names Lionel Logue. He knows who I am! STEWARD Kindly wait, Mister Logue. 77AA INT. HALLWAY, 145 PICCADILLY - CONTINUOUS 77AA
Lionel is shown to a chair in the hall to wait. Footsteps echo. Berties Equerry, dressed in military uniform, comes in. He is scrupulously polite.
SALMON REVISIONS 20-01-10 65A EQUERRY Im very sorry, Mr Logue, the Duke is terrible busy. LIONEL Im happy to wait. Or I could come back later. EQUERRY As I said, the Duke is busy. The steward opens the door. Both wait. Lionel reluctantly withdraws. CLOUDS OF SMOKE billow up, emanating from... 78 - 79 OMITTED 80 INT. BERTIES STUDY, 145 PICCADILLY - NIGHT 78 - 79 80
65-
Churchills cigar, as he waits, inspecting a newly constructed model plane on Berties desk. Unable to resist, he picks it up and plays with it like a large schoolboy, doing dive-bombing runs on the desktop, replete with sound effects. Bertie enters, startling him. WINSTON CHURCHILL (referring to model) Perhaps a battleship next, your Royal Highness. Well need them. BERTIE There is a rumour that you are going to form a Kings Party, Mr Churchill. I need to know where you stand. Are you backing my brother?
66.
WINSTON CHURCHILL Our cockerel wont fight. He doesnt seem to have the stomach for it. I wonder whether he really wants to be king at all. Poor little lamb. I thought if we encouraged Mrs Simpson to go abroad he might come to his senses. I have pleaded on the Kings behalf for time and patience. My plea that no irrevocable step be taken was howled down by the House of Commons. It was the most brutal parliamentary rebuff I have ever suffered. I fear I am finished. My wife calls me the last believer in the divine right of kings. I stood up for him till the end. But there were other reasons for concern, Sir. He was careless with state papers. He lacked commitment and resolve. There were those that worried where he would stand when war with Germany came, and be sure, Sir, war with Germany will come. BERTIE Were not coming to that? WINSTON CHURCHILL Indeed we are, Sir. Therell be war alright. We need a King behind whom we can all stand united. BERTIE I fear my brother is not of sound mind. Queen Mary believes he is absolutely unhinged. WINSTON CHURCHILL His intent is crystal clear. BERTIE Are you changing horses in mid-stream, Mr Churchill? WINSTON CHURCHILL As I said, Sir, my bounden duty is to serve the King whomsoever he may be. Silence. WINSTON CHURCHILL Have you thought what you will call yourself? BERTIE Not Albert.
66A.
WINSTON CHURCHILL No. Too Germanic. Pause. WINSTON CHURCHILL What about George? After your father? Bertie evades the suggestion. BERTIE Winston, you could form a government on Davids behalf. WINSTON CHURCHILL I must decline. Reluctantly. And you know how much I love a battle. Churchill gets to his feet. WINSTON CHURCHILL I fear mugs for his Coronation will soon be two a penny. He has shown me his new speech. I have added what I believe to be some rather memorable turns of phrase.
80A
EXT. THE FORT - DAY
80A
The Royal flag is flying. Berties Austin is one of the cars parked in the drive. 81 INT. DAVIDS DRAWING ROOM, THE FORT - DAY 81
Bertie waits nervously for David. David enters, looking sunken.
67.
BERTIE David! Thank God. You look exhausted! Mothers beside herself. How are you bearing up? DAVID Bertie. I have to go. The decisions been made. BERTIE I cannot accept that. You are in no cindition to make that decision. DAVID Im afraid theres no other way. BERTIE David, nobody wants that. I least of all. Pause. BERTIE Have you told anyone else? DAVID I told mother. BERTIE What about Harry and George? DAVID Im seeing them tonight. Pause. BERTIE The funny thing is, you always told me you were never going to get married. Pause. BERTIE I want you to know, whatever the outcome, were brothers before anything else. Silence. 81A INT. - DRAWING ROOM, THE FORT - DAY 81A
Bertie, Henry and George are there to witness David signing the abdication document. Silence. The scratching of a fountain pen. DAVID (shaking the pen) They could have given me a pen that works.
67A.
He finally signs his name. The others sign. Bertie signs. HOLD ON Berties face.
68.
DAVID (V.O. RADIO FILTER) At long last I am able to say a few words of my own. 82 EXT. MONTAGE OF BRITISH STREETS - NIGHT 82
It is December 11th, 1936. If practical use the actual recorded broadcast (truncated). In London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, country hamlets and cathedral towns...the streets are deserted. Stragglers hurry indoors to be near: THE GLOWING DIAL OF A RADIO DAVID (V.O. RADIO FILTER) I have never wanted to withold anything, but until now, it has not been constitutionally possible for me to speak. MATCH DISSOLVE TO: 83 84 OMITTED INT. PLAYROOM, YORK HOUSE - NIGHT 83 84
ANOTHER WIRELESS being listened to by Elizabeth, with the two little princesses sitting at her feet, wide-eyed. DAVID (V.O. RADIO FILTER) A few hours ago I discharged my last duty as King and Emperor. Now that I have been succeeded by my brother, the Duke of York... Bertie battles his emotions. DAVID (V.O. RADIO FILTER) ...my first words must be to declare my allegiance to him. This I do with all my heart. Elizabeth takes Berties hand supportively. DAVID (V.O. RADIO FILTER) You all know the reasons which have impelled me to renounce the throne. But I want you to understand that, in making up my mind, I did not forget the country or the empire, which, as Prince of Wales and lately as King, I have for twenty-five years tried to serve.
69.
84A
INT. STUDY, WINDSOR CASTLE - NIGHT David sits at his desk on which sits a BBC microphone. As always he speaks with beautiful fluency. DAVID But you must believe me when I tell you I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love. And I want you to know that the decision I have made has been mine and mine alone. This was a thing I had to judge entirely for myself. The other person most nearly concerned has tried up to the last to persuade me to take a different course.
84A
84B
INT. DRAWING ROOM, WINDSOR - NIGHT ANOTHER RADIO being listened to by the Dowager Queen. DAVID (V.O. RADIO FILTER) I have made this, the most serious decision of my life, only upon the single thought of what would, in the end, be best for all. Queen Mary sits ramrod stiff
84B
CUT TO. 85 INT. LOGUES PARLOUR - NIGHT A DIAL GLOWS. The Logue family are listening. 85
DAVID (V.O. RADIO FILTER) This decision has been made less difficult to me by the sure knowledge that my brother, with his long training in the public affairs of this country and with his fine qualities, will be able to take my place forthwith without interruption or injury to the life and progress of the empire. Myrtle shakes her head. MYRTLE Poor Duke of York. Lionel is frozen by the implications: Bertie will be King, and he, Lionel, will not be the Kings therapist.
69A.
DAVID (V.O. RADIO FILTER) And he has one matchless blessing, enjoyed by so many of you, and not bestowed on me -a happy home with his wife and children. 85A INT. HALLWAY, 145 PICCADILLY - NEW DAY 85A
Bertie is in full regalia of an Admiral of the Fleets uniform. The two princesses wave from the foot of the stairs. Margaret Rose calls: MARGARET ROSE Must we move, Daddy? Deliberately avoiding an answer, he blows them a kiss and continues on out the door. 86 EXT. 145 PICCADILLY - CONTINUOUS The Royal standard on a gleaming cars bonnet. Bertie stands uneasily as the driver opens the door. realizes its a Rolls. Bertie 86
70.
BERTIE Wheres the car? DRIVER The Palace changed it, Your Highness. BERTIE I like the Austin. Bertie gets in the Rolls. Framed in the car window he looks terrified as the car edges from the curb. On the far side of the street, kept back by police, a crowd of onlookers. When the Rolls comes out of the gates and passes by, they applaud. On the edge of the group...Lionel. Bertie peers out of the window of the Rolls. Their eyes meet. Bertie looks away. The Rolls disappears. 87 EXT. ST. JAMES PALACE - DAY 87
To establish. 88 INT. ACCESSION COUNCIL CHAMBER - CONTINUOUS 88
The Council is made up of Privy Councillors, members of the House of Lords, the Lord Mayor of the City of London, the Aldermen of the City of London and the High Commissioners of some Commonwealth countries. The Council are gossiping as they await the arrival of the King. COSMO LANG They say he has epilepsy. Baldwin shoots him a look. BALDWIN Is that true? COSMO LANG (equivocates) No. (adds quickly) But hes fragile, prone to illness, and may be unable to get through the Coronation. BALDWIN Who would you suggest? The next brother? A run of the mill cavalry officer? * * *
70A.
COSMO LANG I must admit...unburdened with brain. The youngest, perhaps?
71.
BALDWIN His private life leaves much to be desired. Led astray by the girl with the silver syringe. Lang throws him a look. WINSTON CHURCHILL George VI is our best man. Indeed, he is our only man. BALDWIN We are placing a heavy burden on those fragile shoulders. He will need all our loyalty and support. COSMO LANG He will indeed. A formal voice announces: LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (O.S.) Gentlemen are we ready? Bertie walks to the podium like a man to the gallows. At the podium all of Berties old symptoms reappear: the tightening of the neck muscles, the protruding Adams apple, the jaw locking. BERTIE I do faithfully promise and swear that I shall inviolably maintain and preserve the Settlement of the true Protestant religion as established by the Laws made in Scotland. Your Royal Highnesses, My Lords and Gentlemen, I meet you today in circumstances which are without parallel in the history of our Country. Now that the duties of Sovereignty have fallen upon Me I declare to you My adherence to the strict principles of constitutional government and My resolve to work before all else for the welfare of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Furthermore, My first act upon succeeding My brother will be to confer on him a Dukedom and he will henceforth be known as His Royal Highness the Duke of Windsor. At the podium Bertie has come to a complete muscle-locked halt. He bows his head in humility. And shame.
* * *
* * * * * * * * * *
* *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
71aA.
89
INT.
PLAYROOM, YORK HOUSE - THAT DAY
89
Elizabeth is with her daughters when the door opens and Bertie appears, still in full regalia, straight from the Accession Council. He tries to put on a brave front, but it doesnt quite work. He desperately needs the comfort of his family.
71A.
BERTIE Daddys home. He holds his arm out, expecting his daughters to run to him for a hug and kiss, his solace after the ordeal. They remain where they are and curtsy formally. Bertie is devastated. Elizabeth can see hes falling apart, and quickly takes him from the room. 90 INT. BERTIES STUDY, YORK HOUSE - NIGHT 90
Bertie valiantly tries to make sense of his new dispatch box filled with state papers, seated at his desk. It is late at night. Elizabeth enters, in night clothes. BERTIE Im trying to familiarise myself with what a state paper looks like. He picks up a series of papers. BERTIE A despatch from Mr Baldwin which I dont understand a word of. Davids finances. The Christmas broadcast - I think that might be a mistake. ELIZABETH You wont have to do it. Ill speak to them. BERTIE Plans for the Coronation I think thats an even bigger mistake. Im not a King. Im a naval officer. Its the only thing I know about. And Bertie breaks down. Fierce, wracking sobs.
72.
Elizabeth speaks softly, with growing strength, having already accepted and adapted to the situation. ELIZABETH Dear, dear man... You asked me to marry you three times, and that was because, as much as I loved you, I couldnt bear a royal life of tours and public duties, a life that didnt belong to me. Then I thought...he stammers so beautifully...theyll leave us alone. She takes his anguished face in her hands tenderly. ELIZABETH David and Mrs Simpson I shall never forgive be Queen, I intend be Queen to a very great 91 - 93 OMITTED 94. EXT. LOGUE HOME, SOUTH KENSINGTON - NEW DAY changed all that. And them. But if I must a very good Queen. King indeed. 91 - 93 94.
Re-establishing shot. Two large cars wait at the curbside. A doorbell rings. 95 96 OMITTED OMITTED 95 96
73.
96A
INT. PARLOUR, LOGUE APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
96A
Two figures can be seen outlined in the frosted glass door. Lionel opens it. Bertie and Elizabeth are standing there. BERTIE Waiting for a Royal to apologize, one must wait rather a long wait.
Beat. LIONEL Do come in. Myrtles at bridge. Home. Look, its not Buckingham Palace. BERTIE What more does a man need?
74-75.
ELIZABETH (stepping in) Its charming. (then) Off you go now. Or must I knock your heads together? She settles herself on a settee and picks up a magazine. The two men are still standing there, not knowing quite what to do. She dismisses them with a flick of her fingers. 96B INT. LOGUES STUDY - CONTINUOUS 96B
The two men enter. Again a moment of uncertainty. Then Bertie blurts. BERTIE Heres your shilling Logue (puts shilling down) I know what you were trying to do Logue. LIONEL I went about it the wrong way. BERTIE Im afraid I went into hiding. LIONEL Well I am frightening, Im sorry. BERTIE Now here I am. Is the nation ready for two minutes of radio silence? LIONEL Every stammerer always fears they will fall back to square one. I wont let that happen. You wont let that happen. BERTIE If I cant do my duty...David could come back. Ive seen the placards Save Our King! They dont mean me. Every other monarch in history succeeded someone who was dead, or about to be. My predecessor is not only alive, but very much so. What a bloody mess! LIONEL I could say Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown but I wont.
SALMON REVISIONS 20-01-10 75A BERTIE Millions died for this crown. The King tosses it away for a girl. Im left holding it. A man who cannot speak. The whole family firm could collapse. I couldnt even give them a Christmas speech. LIONEL Like your Dad? BERTIE Precisely. LIONEL Your father. Hes not here. BERTIE Yes he is. Hes on that bloody shilling you owe me. LIONEL You dont carry cash. You dont have to. You dont have to carry your brother around either. Youre very much your own man. BERTIE Am I? LIONEL Whose face is on the shilling now? Theres a noise outside the door. Lionel is stunned. LIONEL Myrtle! MYRTLE Lionel, dear! 96C INT. PARLOUR, LOGUE APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS 96C
74-
Myrtle has entered and is taking off hat and coat. She sees Elizabeth.
76.
MYRTLE Hello, sorry, and you are....? ELIZABETH Your Majesty, the first time. After that, Maam. Not Malm as in Palm, Mam as in ham. Im informed your husband calls my husband Bertie and my husband calls your husband Lionel. I trust you wont call me Liz. MYRTLE Your Majesty, you may call me Mrs Logue, Maam. Silence. ELIZABETH Well, Mrs Logue, I believe you play bridge? Myrtle is taken aback. MYRTLE How did you know? ELIZABETH Your husband. IN THE STUDY: Lionel stands listening, ear to the door. BERTIE Are you alright, Lionel? LIONEL Yes. BERTIE Shall we go through? LIONEL (not moving) Yes. IN THE PARLOUR: Myrtles at a loss knowing what to do with royalty. ELIZABETH Do you win? MYRTLE Ive a good partner. George Bernard Shaw. ELIZABETH George Bernard Shaw? Oh yes?
76A.
MYRTLE Yes. ELIZABETH What do you talk about? MYRTLE Bridge. Silence. IN THE STUDY: BERTIE Shouldnt I meet your wife? LIONEL (frozen) Yes you should! BERTIE Whats the problem? LIONEL She doesnt know about us. IN THE PARLOUR: ELIZABETH Earls Court is so pleasant. MYRTLE Oh its South Kensington actually. IN THE STUDY: BERTIE (realizing) Youre being a coward! LIONEL Absolutely. Im a sensible man! BERTIE Get out there, man! And Bertie ushers Lionel into the parlour. IN THE PARLOUR: Logue enters, pretending total innocence and surprise, followed by Bertie. LIONEL Oh! Hello, Myrtle darling! (indicating Elizabeth) So you two have met! I dont believe you know....King George VI? Myrtle stares at Lionel and takes her revenge.
77.
MYRTLE Will their Majesties be staying for dinner? Logue and Bertie look panic-stricken. Elizabeth comes to the rescue. ELIZABETH We would love to, but...a previous engagement. On Lionels relief. 97 INT. LOGUE BEDROOM - LATER 97
Lionel in the hallway. LIONEL (shouts) Tony, I said lights out! Lionel and Myrtle prepare for bed in utter strained silence. Each gets into the bed from their chosen side. They lay there a moment. Not a word. No kiss. LIONEL Thanks for a lovely dinner. Silence. Are we not talking? Silence. He turns out the light. A moment of darkness.. MYRTLE I arrive home to find the King and Queen of England in my parlour! LIONEL They havent actually been crowned yet. The light is snapped back on by Myrtle, sitting bolt upright. MYRTLE Lionel! For heavens sake! How long has this been going on? LIONEL Quite some time. I was sworn to secrecy. I couldnt tell you. MYRTLE Well thats very convenient, isnt it Lionel. But we agreed, from the beginning, no high and mighties. Nothing that would draw attention. The King of England! LIONEL Myrtle, he trusts me...
78.
MYRTLE Were never going home, are we?! Thats a job for life! LIONEL Dont think of him as a King, hes another patient whos crushed by his defect... MYRTLE (overlapping) Youre not listening to me! LIONEL (overlapping) ..who Im helping, Im getting results... MYRTLE Lionel! I want to go home. LIONEL Darling why? You were the one who inspired me to come here. I didnt realise you were unhappy. MYRTLE First it was research, then acting, then setting up shop, and now working with the bloody King! Youre always trying to go one better. Im sick of this place. Being defined by my accent. How many English friends have we really made? We could have a lovely home in Perth. LIONEL The King of England is my patient. I cannot go home yet. MYRTLE Well tell me when we can! She turns off a light. In the dark.
78A.
LIONEL Myrtle...I dont deserve a wonderful woman like you. She turns the light back on. MYRTLE How right you are. She turns if off. 97A INT. BBC BROADCASTING HOUSE - STUDIO - DAY The domed head of the Archbishop Cosmo Lang lowers into frame, facing a microphone. A red light blinks, four times. Then glows steady. Lang, seated before the mike, smiles, totally at ease. COSMO LANG We are now able to look forward with hope and joy to the Coronation of our King. He himself and his Kingship will then be solemnly consecrated to the service of the most High God. The darkness of an anxious time is over. A new morning has dawned. A new Reign has begun. George VI is King. You can readily imagine what it means to him to be summoned so suddenly, so unexpectedly in circumstances so painful for himself - for he was bound to his brother by ties of closest affection - to face the immense responsibilities of Kingship. What I shall venture to say of him will be no mere conventional eulogy. It will be said from the personal knowledge - I am sure he will allow me to say - of many years of friendship. In manner and speech he is more quiet and reserved than his brother (And here may I add a parenthesis which may not be unhelpful. When his people listen to the new Monarch they will note an occasional momentary hesitation in his speech. But he has brought it into full control and to those who hear it, it need cause no sort of embarrassment, for it causes none to him who speaks.) He is frank, straightforward, unaffected. 97B INT. BUCKINGHAM PALACE, BERTIES STUDY - DAY 97B * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 97A
Bertie is listening to Lang on the radio, frozen with stress. Elizabeth places a comforting hand on his arm.
78AA.
97C
INT. LOGUES PARLOUR - DAY Langs speech continues. LIONEL Jesus Christ. Myrtle flashes him a look of concern. LIONEL This will set Bertie back a decade.
97C
98
EXT. WESTMINSTER ABBEY - DAY
98
To establish. Preparations are being made in the street for the coronation - spectator stands are complete and fabric is being dressed.
79-80.
99
INT.
WESTMINSTER ABBEY - DAY
99
The center piece of the Coronation staging is the throne of Edward the Confessor. Scaffolding has been erected to supply seating. Technicians work to erect film cameras, lights, radio microphones. Bertie and Lionel are walking towards the throne. LIONEL Get a feel of the space, thats it, and we will start running the text... They stop short as they see Cosmo Lang waiting to greet them, flanked by the Dean of Westminster and a couple of flunkies. There is a distinct drop in temperature. COSMO LANG Welcome your Majesty. BERTIE (double edged) This is the scene of the crime? COSMO LANG Allow me to guide you through the ceremony. Cosmo sees Bertie staring at the microphones. COSMO LANG Ah, yes, wireless is indeed a Pandoras Box. You can count yourself lucky I have categorically said no to the BBCs new radio-with-pictures gadget. Imagine, the unwashed viewing our little mannerisms of speech. BERTIE Radio with pictures?!. COSMO LANG Happily, with a transmission range of only fifteen miles this Television has no future. We shall, however, be forced to permit the talkies; the product of which I shall personally edit. LIONEL Without momentary hesitation. Affronted, Cosmo takes Bertie aside. COSMO LANG If your House Detectives would give us space, we could discuss this in private.
79A.
BERTIE You mean my protector, Crusher Giving Lionel a scathing look, Lang continues speaking to Bertie confidentially. COSMO LANG Fret not. As I assured our nation in my recent broadcast. BERTIE (controlling) Yes, I heard. LIONEL All of England heard. Unfortunately.
81.
COSMO LANG Pardon?! Does your bodyguard know to whom hes speaking? He certainly doesnt know his place! BERTIE Doctor Lionel Logue of Harley Street, my speech specialist.
82.
COSMO LANG Specialist?! Had I known Your Majesty was seeking assistance I wouldve made my own recommendation. BERTIE Dr. Logue is to be present at the Coronation. COSMO LANG I will ask the Dean of Westminster but I am afraid it is impossible. There is no more room. Even for a Doctor. BERTIE Place him behind the chair of Edward the Confessor. COSMO LANG In the Royal Box!? Your Family will be seated there. BERTIE That why its suitable. COSMO LANG (sniffs) I might be able to add a very small stool. BERTIE Two comfortable chairs. One for Madam Logue. Shes a close friend of my wife. The Queen. COSMO LANG (beat) Ill have someone attend to it. LIONEL And now, if you dont mind, we need the premises. COSMO LANG My dear fellow, this is Westminster Abbey! The Church must prepare his Majesty. LIONEL My preparations for Bertie are equally important. COSMO LANG Bertie?! We do not call the King: Bertie! LIONEL I do. Well need the facilities. No observers.
82A.
BERTIE Those are my wishes, Your Grace.
83.
COSMO LANG (sniffs) I shall place the Abbey at Your Majestys disposal this evening when the workmen have concluded their tasks. Lang nods curtly and exits. BERTIE Youve made a dangerous enemy. LIONEL Wouldnt want him as a friend. Lionel waits in expectation for Bertie to smile. BERTIE Dont ever call me Bertie in public! A moment of confrontation. Nods. Lionel knows hes overstepped.
LIONEL Ill see you after dinner. Bertie still glares. 100 INT. AN OFFICE IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY - NIGHT 100
Lang is on the phone. The door is open. While talking he watches the work preparations. On the phone he tells someone: COSMO LANG Oh, hello. This is Archbishop Lang speaking. I wish to make enquiries about speech therapy. In fact, about a particular speech therapist. In fact, about a particular Australian speech therapist: Dr Lionel Logue of Harley Street. Thats right...Thank you very much. 101 INT. LOGUE DINING ROOM - NIGHT 101 * * * * * * *
The meal is long over. Valentine is, as usual, using the table for study. Antony is playing. Logue enters and sits. Myrtle plunks down a plate. LIONEL Mmm... Kedgeree! Lovely. She doesnt even reply. LIONEL Ive news for you. Youre coming to the Coronation.
83A.
The boys perk up, exchange looks. MYRTLE Ive news for you. Im not.
84.
LIONEL You must. ANTONY Can we come? Lionel shakes his head. MYRTLE And stand in the rain hoping for a glimpse? LIONEL No. Inside the Abbey. Royal Box. You and I. Valentine suddenly - finally - pushes his book aside and stands up. VALENTINE Go on, Mum. Silence, then. MYRTLE Id need a new dress. LIONEL Rather thought you might. And some jewellery. Myrtle is still stunned. She exits into the next room. And shrieks! VALENTINE (shouts) Good on ya, Mum. ANTONY Can we come? VALENTINE (overlapping) Dad, cant we go?! LIONEL (overlapping) Ill make it up to you, Ill do another Shake!? Laurie, entering the chaos: LAURIE What did I miss? 102 INT. WESTMINSTER ABBEY - THAT NIGHT 102
Footsteps resonate.
84A.
Lionel enters. Trips over one of the grave markers set into the floor. LIONEL I cant believe Im walking on Chaucer, Dickens and Dryden. BERTIE Im not here to rehearse, Doctor Logue. True, you never called yourself Doctor. We said that for you. No diploma, no training, no credentials. Just a great deal of nerve. LIONEL Ah, the star chamber inquisition. BERTIE You wanted trust and total equality. LIONEL Bertie, I was at Wembley Stadium. You remember that debarcle. My oldest son Laurie said Do you think you could help that poor man? I replied If I had the chance.
85.
BERTIE What, as a failed actor!? LIONEL Its true, Im not a doctor, and yes I acted a bit, recited in pubs and taught elocution in schools. When the Great War came, our boys were pouring back from the front, shell-shocked and unable to speak and somebody said, Lionel, see if you can help these poor buggers. I did muscle therapy, but I knew I had to go deeper. These young blokes had cried out in fear, and no-one had listened. My job was to give them faith in their voice. Ring any bells with you Bertie? BERTIE You give a very noble account of yourself. LIONEL Make inquiries. Its all true. BERTIE Inquiries have been made! Have you any idea whos breathing down my neck? I vouched for you and no credentials. LIONEL But lots of success. There was no training then! And all I could do was learn by experience. And Christ what an experience. The plaque says, L. Logue, Speech Defects. No Dr., no letters after my name. Lock me in the Tower. BERTIE I would if I could! LIONEL On what charge? BERTIE Fraud! Youve saddled this nation in its moment of peril with a voiceless King.
86.
Destroyed the happiness of my family...all for the sake of ensnaring a star client you knew you couldnt possibly assist! His desperation spills out. BERTIE Like mad King George the Third, therell be King George the stammerer, who let his people down so badly in their hour of need! Lionel sits down on the chair of Edward the Confessor. Leaning against it is the great two-handed sword of St. George. BERTIE Whatre you doing? Get up! You cant sit there! LIONEL Why not? Its a chair. BERTIE No, its the Chair of Edward The Confessor! The throne upon which every King for six and a half centuries has been crowned. LIONEL Its falling apart. People have carved their initials into it. Needs a stone to keep from blowing away. BERTIE (stammering badly) Thats the Stone of Scone! Youre trivialising everything! LIONEL You believe such bollocks. I dont care how many royal backsides have sat on it, its a building block with handles attached. BERTIE Listen to me... ! LIONEL Listen to you?! By what right? BERTIE Divine right, if you must! Im your King!!! LIONEL Noooo youre not! Told me so yourself. Said you didnt want it. So why should I waste my time listening to you?
87.
BERTIE Because I have a right to be heard! LIONEL Heard as what?! BERTIE A man! I HAVE A VOICE!!! LIONEL (quietly) Yes you do. BERTIE Stop trying to squirm off the hook. LIONEL Bertie, youre the bravest man I know. And youll make a bloody good king. Bertie stares at him. A familiar voice is heard from the shadows. VOICE What on earths going on Sir? BERTIE Its all right Archbishop. The Archbishop of Canterbury. COSMO LANG Youll be glad to know Mr Logue we have found a replacement specialist with impeccable credentials. Your services will no longer be required. A long silence. BERTIE Im sorry? COSMO LANG With respect Sir, for your own well-being the matters already been settled. BERTIE That will no longer be necessary. COSMO LANG Your Majestys function is to consult and be advised. You didnt consult, but youve just been advised.
87A.
BERTIE Now I advise you: in this personal matter I will make my own decision.
88.
COSMO LANG My concern is for the head upon which I place the crown. BERTIE I appreciate that Archbishop, but its my head! COSMO LANG No good will come of this. Your humble servant. Lang turns on his heel and is gone, leaving Bertie shaken, with both anger, and fear. LIONEL As soon as you and Elizabeth enter the West door, youll be greeted with the hymn I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me. You wont actually be that glad, because they sing it for a great long time. Then your friend the Archbishop will ponce up and say, Sir, is Your Majesty willing to take The Oath? You say.. BERTIE I am willing. LIONEL Course you are! Ill see what it sounds like from the cheap seats. Will you govern your peoples according to their laws and customs? BERTIE "I solemnly promise so to do." LIONEL "Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgements?" BERTIE "I will." LIONEL Then a long bit about upholding the faith, rubbish, rubbish, rubbish. BERTIE These things which I have before promised, I will perform and keep. So help me God. LIONEL Thats all you have to say. Four short responses, kiss the book and sign the oath. There you are: youre King.
89.
The faint CLICKING WHIR of a film projector is heard. 102A INT. SCREENING ROOM, BUCKINGHAM PALACE - NEW DAY On the screen: archive - Pathe newsreel footage of the Coronation. The Royal Family watches: Bertie, Elizabeth, Lilibet and Margaret. Cosmo Lang and his assistant are in attendance. There is a projectionist also. BERTIE (to his children) That carriage was built for Mad King George. The newsreel cuts to the interior of the Abbey. ELIZABETH Youve eliminated the moment when you and the Dean of Westminster collided? COSMO LANG A minor miscue. This is the edited version. For the world, everything went splendidly. MARGARET ROSE You nearly crowned him backwards Archbishop! BERTIE I notice you kept that in! COSMO LANG Someone had removed the thread that was marking the front of the Crown, Sir. We see Bertie giving two of his responses. BERTIE Where are my other responses? COSMO LANG Cut for reasons of brevity, Sir. ELIZABETH But he didnt stammer once! BERTIE I only had to repeat four. I may not be so fortunate in the future. The Coronation footage finishes. The next segment of the newsreel is entitled Hitler in Neurenberg! and shows him viewing troops doing the goosestep amidst immense crowds. We then see Hitlers mad eloquence, mesmerising it all. 102A
89A.
LILIBET Whats he saying, Daddy? BERTIE I dont know, but whatever it is, he is saying it rather well. 103 INT. MEETING ROOM, BUCKINGHAM PALACE - NEW DAY Baldwin enters, looking pale and tired, to see Bertie. BERTIE Good Morning Mr Baldwin. BALDWIN Good Morning your Majesty. Congratulations on your Coronation. It went splendidly. . BERTIE Thank you, Prime Minister. Luckily I only had to repeat a few short oaths. I may not be so fortunate in the future. BALDWIN Sir, I have come to see you today to tender my resignation as Prime Minister. BERTIE I am so sorry to hear that, Mr Baldwin. BALDWIN I have come to realise that it is time for some new blood. I have served to the best of my ability. However, recently I have even been accused in the House of placing Party before Country. The truth is I believe that up until now the British people would never have accepted a policy of rearmament no matter whose idea it may be. I have found it impossible to accept that there could be any man in the World so lacking in moral feeling as Hitler, but Germany is rearming at a frightening pace. Until recently I have been unable to entertain that in this century of progress the World might be hurled for a second time into the abyss of destructive War. As we both know Sir, it now appears as though Winston was right all along. BERTIE We shall be sad to see you go, Mr Baldwin. BALDWIN I am only sorry not to leave you in this time of crisis. I am afraid Sir, your greatest test is yet to come. 103
89B.
103aA
INT. BUCKINGHAM PALACE - CORRIDOR (ON THE MOVE) BERTIE Good to see you here this morning Logue. Theyve given us a room down here today, they think its safer. LIONEL Are you sleeping well, Bertie? BERTIE As best as one can. How are Myrtle and the boys? Hows the new place? LIONEL I cant thank you enough. BERTIE So, Logue, tell me, are we at war, or not? LIONEL Well I dont know. BERTIE Well you dont know, the Prime Minister doesnt know, I dont know. LIONEL It amused me this morning, Bertie, even in this tense situation, theyve been sending the kids out to the country, and my charwoman said Thank God my Ernie has been excavated (they laugh) BERTIE The whole thing is so damned unreal. If only we knew the way it was going to be.
103aA
103aBA INT. BUCKINGHAM PALACE, BERTIES STUDY - DAY
103aBA
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
3rd September 1939. Bertie, in uniform, is at his desk going through paperwork. Hardinge enters briskly. HARDINGE At last. Here it is. You are live at six. Ive timed it at just under nine minutes. The wording is fully approved. The Prime Minister is making his announcement in five minutes. BERTIE Call Logue. Immediately. Hardinge exits. Bertie is left contemplating the speech. Nervous as hell.
90.
103A
INT. LOGUES PARLOUR - DAY The Logue family are sat around the wireless. CHAMBERLAIN I am speaking to you from the cabinet room of 10 Downing Street. This morning the British Ambassador in Berlin handed the German Government a final note stating that unless we heard from them by 11 oclock that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland, a state of war would exist between us. The phone rings. I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received, and that consequently this country is at war with Germany. Lionel picks it up. LIONEL Hello?...Yes Of course. Immediately, I understood.
103A
CUT TO: 103B INT. - LOGUES CAR - DAY Laurie drives Logue into work. Out the window he sees Sandbags being piled round government buildings. CUT TO: 103C INT./EXT. LOGUES CAR, OUTSIDE BUCKINGHAM PALACE 103C 103B
Logues ID is checked, and as the car drives in Logue sees barrage balloons above Buckingham Palace. 103D EXT. QUADRANGLE, BUCKINGHAM PALACE Logue hurries into the Palace. The car pulls away. 103E INT. COATROOM, BUCKINGHAM PALACE Logue hangs up umbrella, coat and gas mask. 103F INT. STAIRCASE, BUCKINGHAM PALACE 103F 103E 103D
Logue is met on the stairs by HARDINGE, the Kings Private Secretary. Hardinge hands him a speech.
90A.
HARDINGE His Majesty is waiting for you in his study. BERTIE (stammering very badly) There may be dark days ahead, and w-wwa... 104 INT. BERTIES STUDY, BUCKINGHAM PALACE - DAY 104
Bertie (dressed in his naval uniform) and Logue (dressed in black tie) are rehearsing. LIONEL Try again. BERTIE There may be dark days ahead, and w-... LIONEL Turn the halts into pauses, during which you say to yourself, God save the King. BERTIE I say that continually, but apparently no ones listening. LIONEL Long pauses add solemnity to great occasions. BERTIE Then Im the solemnest king who ever lived. Lionel, I cant do this! LIONEL Bertie, you can do this! BERTIE If I am to be King...where is my power? May I form a Government, appoint a Prime Minister, levy a tax or declare a war? No! Yet I am the seat of all authority. Why? Because the Nation believes when I speak, I speak for them. Yet I cannot speak! As though none of this had happened:
91.
LIONEL Lets take it from the top. In this grave hour... BERTIE (hesitates, then) In this grave hour fuck fuck fuck perhaps the most fateful in our history bugger shit shit (singing) I send to every household of my p-p-peoples.. The letterP is always difficult. LIONEL Get a running start, put the words together. peoples both at home and BERTIE peoples both at home and overseas,... LIONEL Beaut. BERTIE (singing) ... this message, doo-dah, doo-dah... LIONEL (SINGS) Doo-dah, doo-dah. BERTIE ...spoken with the same depth of feeling... LIONEL (SINGS) Five miles long... BERTIE ...for each one of you as if I were to fuck shit bugger cross your threshold and speak to you m-my - ... LIONEL In your head, now: All those bloody blighters are going to have to listen to me! BERTIE Bloody blighters bloody blighters myself! LIONEL Dance. For the second time... one-twothree-four. Waltz! BERTIE (waltzing and singing) For the second time in the lives of most of us we are at wa - ...
92.
Bertie jams and comes to a halt. LIONEL Thats because of we are at. Take a pause between are and at. For the second time in the lives of most of us we are... Pause. BERTIE (dancing and singing again) For the second time in the lives of most of us we are God save the King at war. Yes! LIONEL Great! Great! Keep going. BERTIE Over and over again... LIONEL Yes. BERTIE ...we have tried to find a fuck you peaceful way out of the differences between my G-g-gov ... LIONEL Government is always difficult. Try...ourselves. And to hell with Churchill. Bertie grins. BERTIE ...we have tried to find a fuck you all peaceful way out of the difference between ourselves and those who are now our... The door opens and Elizabeth steps in. She observes, totally unperturbed by what she sees in front of her. BERTIE ...enemies doo dah damn you But it has been in vain shit bugger we have been forced into a fuck shit fuck conflict... Bertie breaks off when he sees Elizabeth. ELIZABETH Bertie...its time. Elizabeth offers her hand to Lionel. Lionel bows low over it.
93.
ELIZABETH We appreciate your coming at such short notice. LIONEL Hell be fine your Majesty. BERTIE From your lips to Gods ear. Bertie and Lionel glance at each other. Bertie approaches the door. He pauses. Down a long perspective of rooms we see ahead the waiting microphone. Like a tunnel. Like Wembley. Bertie begins the long walk, flanked by his wife and his speech specialist. 104A INT. STATE ROOMS, BUCKINGHAM PALACE - CONTINUOUS 104A
Bertie, Lionel, and Elizabeth walk towards the microphone. The first room has a large speaker and chairs arranged for listening to the broadcast. Lang and Churchill are in attendance. ELIZABETH (on the move) Mr. Churchill, Your Grace, how kind of you to join us. COSMO LANG Wouldnt miss this for the world. BERTIE Congrauulations Mr Churchill. First Lord of the Admiralty. He detaches himself from Lang and walks with Bertie. WINSTON CHURCHILL Good luck, sir. BERTIE The long walk.
93A.
WINSTON CHURCHILL I too dread this...apparatus. Had a speech impediment myself, you know.
94.
BERTIE I didnt. WINSTON CHURCHILL Family secret. Tongue-tied. An operation was considered too dangerous. I eventually made an asset of it. A moment of silent recognition between the two men. BERTIE Winston...I knew you were loyal to the title I now wear. Churchill nods, then goes to his seat, as Bertie passes into the next room. Ahead is the microphone set up on a grand desk in a beautifully ornate state room. Next to it is now revealed a stills camera and lights - all set for a photo op. Bertie, Logue and Elizabeth, ignoring it, pass right by, turn a corner and we now see a perspective of much smaller rooms leading to a microphone framed in a doorway, hung at head height. A tumble of cables stretch through the rooms. We pass through two rooms of audio equipment with eight technicians all wearing black tie, all set for the broadcast. Berties tension builds. At the door to the broadcasting booth he is met by the BBCs Woods. WOODS Good luck, Your Majesty. Logue and Bertie enter the booth. 104B INT. BROADCASTING BOOTH - DAY 104B
The dreaded BBC microphone, in a surprisingly small room. It is arranged so Bertie can stand up as he speaks, the way Logue likes it. The ceiling has been lowered and it has been decorated in cheerful colours. As a podium for the speech an old school desk has been propped up on wooden blocks so its the right height for Bertie. Logue immediately opens the window to get the air circulating. Bertie says nothing, but goes up and inspects the looming microphone.
95.
BERTIE Walk up to the bloody thing boldly, stare it square in the eye, man to man. He spreads the fingers of one hand, touches the apparatus with the little finger, thumb to chin. BERTIE My father taught me this. (testing the microphone) Bugger bugger bugger...bloody bloody bloody... ELIZABETH Bertie, do make sure thats not switched on! Bertie gives a boyish grin. ELIZABETH I am sure you will be splendid. WOODS One minute, sir. Elizabeth steps back with a wonderful smile as Woods closes the door, sealing Bertie and Logue in the booth. BERTIE No matter how this turns out, how can I ever thank you, Lionel, for asking such dreadful questions? LIONEL Knighthood? They grin. LIONEL One final question though. BERTIE Oh dear. LIONEL Do you believe youre King? BERTIE (pause) Almost. The red light in the booth flashes. Logue gives Bertie the thumbs up and mouths silently the word, Fuck! The red light flashes for the second time.
96.
Bertie concentrates. The red light flashes for the third time. On, Logue, serious now. The red light now goes steady red. On Air. Berties hands begin to shake, the pages of his speech rattle like dry leaves, his throat muscles constrict, the Adams apple bulges, his lips tighten...all the old symptoms reappear. Several seconds have elapsed. It seems an eternity. 104C INT - STATE ROOMS - DAY In the listening room: Elizabeth grasps the sides of her chair with white knuckles. Wood grimaces silently. Langs eyes roll heavenward. Churchill studies the situation, ready to leap into the breach. 105 INT. CONTROL ROOM, BBC BROADCASTING HOUSE - DAY 105 104C
The technicians in their suits, ties and scientific looking white overcoats, wearing bulky headphones, monitoring daunting banks of valves and dials listen with growing apprehension to the silence broken only by crackling static. 105A INT. KINGS STUDY/BROADCAST ROOM, BUCKINGHAM PALACE - DAY 105A The tension is more than palpable. Bertie and Logue stare at each other. Logue smiles, perfectly calm, totally confident in the man hes worked with. His confidence is contagious. Bertie takes a deep breath, lets it out slowly. His throat muscles relax, his hands steady - all the things hes practiced.
97.
BERTIE In this grave hour, perhaps the most fateful in our history, I send to every household of my peoples, both at home and overseas this message spoken with the same depth of feeling for each one of you as if I were able to cross your threshold and speak to you myself. His cadence is slow, measured, but does not stop. 106 107 OMITTED INT./EXT. MONTAGE OF VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN ENGLAND AND AROUND THE WORLD - NIGHT OR DAY, DEPENDING ON LOCATION 106 107
Myrtle with the two boys...Clifford the WWI vet in a small rented room...people listening to radios in homes, pubs, clubs, hotels, boarding houses, factories, mines, prisons, a shearing shed in Australia, temples in India, mines in South Africa, loci around the Commonwealth and Empire. End with a villa in the South of France, where David and Wallis listen dolefully. BERTIE (V.O. ON RADIO) For the second time in the lives of most of us we are at war. For we are called, with our allies, to meet the challenge of a principle which, if it were to prevail, would be fatal to any civilized order in the world. It is the principle which permits a State, in the selfish pursuit of power, to disregard its treaties and its solemn pledges; which sanctions the use of force, or threat of force, against the sovereignty and independence of other States. Such a principle, stripped of all disguise, is surely the mere primitive doctrine that might is right, and if this principle were established throughout the world, the freedom of our own country and of the whole British Commonwealth of Nations would be in danger. But far more than this - the peoples of the world would be kept in the bondage of fear, and all hopes of settled peace and of the security of justice and liberty among nations would be ended. This is the ultimate issue which confronts us. For the sake of all that we ourselves hold dear, and of the worlds order and peace, it is unthinkable that we should refuse to meet the challenge. It is to this high purpose that I now call my people at home and my peoples across the seas, who will make our cause their own.
98.
I ask them to stand calm, firm, and united in this time of trial. 107A INT. CORRIDOR, BUCKINGHAM PALACE - CONTINUOUS PAN ALONG the row of 36 miniature horses to: 108 INT. THE PRINCESSES PLAYROOM - CONTINUOUS 108 107A
The two girls are listening to their father on the radio. BERTIE (V.O. ON RADIO) The task will be hard. There may be dark days ahead, and war can no longer be confined to the battlefield. But we can only do the right as we see the right, and reverently commit our cause to God. Lilibets expression tells it all - she can hear it, her father is truly King. 109 INT. BROADCASTING BOOTH, BUCKINGHAM PALACE - CONTINUOUS 109
Bertie, in his quiet way is totally in command, and utterly magnificent. Everyone in the room is awed as he concludes: BERTIE (CONTD) If one and all we keep resolutely faithful to it, ready for whatever service or sacrifice it may demand, then, with Gods help, we shall prevail. The red light goes out, and the transmission is concluded. 109A INT. STATE ROOMS, BUCKINGHAM PALACE - CONTINUOUS 109A
In the listening room we see the elated faces of Elizabeth, Churchill, Lang. Wood tells a technician in the ad hoc control booth. WOOD (barely controlling his voice) He wasnt perfect. But by God... He knows how to speak. 109B INT. BROADCASTING BOOTH, BUCKINGHAM PALACE - CONTINUOUS 109B Lionel and Bertie stare at each other. Silence.
99.
LIONEL You still stammered on the w. BERTIE Had to throw in a few so they knew it was me. Wood opens the door. WOOD Congratulations, your Majesty. Bertie grins. Bertie and Lionel pass out of the booth. 109C INT. STATE ROOMS, BUCKINGHAM PALACE - CONTINUOUS Bertie heads towards the listening room. Churchill, Lang, and Elizabeth come towards him. WINSTON CHURCHILL Couldnt have said it better myself. The ultimate Churchillian compliment. COSMO LANG Majesty, Im speechless. ELIZABETH (softly) Thank God. WINSTON CHURCHILL (aside to Logue) Government was better than ourselves. Elizabeth goes to Bertie and kisses him tenderly on the cheek, takes his hand, then Logues. ELIZABETH That was good, Bertie. Well done... (for the first time) ...Lionel. Bertie has reached the room with the staged microphone on the grand desk. As he sits down at the regal desk LIONEL Congratulations on your first wartime speech. FLASH the picture is taken of Bertie. Lang next. 109C
99A.
BERTIE I expect I shall have to do a great deal more.
Bertie stands. Lionel offers his hand. Instead of taking it, Bertie grasps him by the shoulders and gives him a hug.
100.
BERTIE Well done...my friend. A long way from the five pace rule. The last barrier has fallen. Outside a sound grows and swells. The crowd is applauding and cheering their King. Bertie and Elizabeth step through the French doors out onto: 110 EXT. BALCONY, BUCKINGHAM PALACE - DAY 110
The King and his Queen wave to the crowds, receiving their adulation and love. Bertie glances upwards. POV - silver dirigibles hover protectively. WIDER SHOT OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE - ringed by dirigibles as arc lights stab the sky. The Palace is at war. England is at war. ON THE BALCONY - Bertie and Elizabeth, King and Queen, wave to their people and receive their approbation. Lionel watches from the shadow. FREEZE FAME: MONTAGE OF ARCHIVE FOOTAGE. The actual King George during WWII, commencing with his memorable Christmas speech of 1939. He is slow but steady, and very moving. KING GEORGE VI (ARCHIVE SOUND) A new year is at hand. We cannot tell what it will bring. If it brings peace, how thankful we shall all be. If it brings us continued struggle we shall remain undaunted.
101.
Then George VI reviewing troops, meeting with Roosevelt, sailing into battered Malta on the bridge of a British warship, with Elizabeth viewing bomb damage at Buckingham Palace, visiting the homeless in the East End, with Churchill on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on VE-Day. To the thud of muffled drumbeats, ARCHIVE FOOTAGE of the Kings state funeral, during which Churchill can be seen presenting a funeral wreath: FOR VALOUR. Scroll the following super: LIONEL PASSED AWAY SHORTLY AFTER HIS FRIEND BERTIE. KNOWN AS...THE GOOD KING.
THE END

King&#39;s Speech, The (2010.01.20)

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THE KINGS SPEECH

Screenplay by David Seidler

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WIDEN TO REVEAL his young wife, truly an English rose.

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INT. CONTROL ROOM, BBC BROADCASTING HOUSE - DAY

Technicians stare at dials and listen to the hiss of silence.

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The Reader and Floor Manager glance at each other nervously.

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SPECTATOR STAND, EMPIRE STADIUM -DAY

A glowing dial on the face of a studio radio. listens aghast.

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WEMBLEY STADIUM - DAY

Bertie stands gulping, unable to make a sound.

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HARLEY STREET - NEW DAY

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ELIZABETH So she says.

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MANSION BLOCK STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS

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LAURIE Me too? LIONEL A girl? LAURIE What else?

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EXT. HARLEY STREET - DAY

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Establishing shot in the snow. A cold and commanding voice is heard:

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INT. THE KINGS STUDY, SANDRINGHAM ESTATE - CONTINUOUS

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LOGUES CONSULTATION ROOM - NEW DAY

King's Speech, The (2010.01.20)

King's Speech, The (2010.01.20)