King Charles III (2017) Reviews

• Wonderful acting but a deeply flawed concept.

  RichardvonLust2017-07-14

  The day has finally arrived. Charles is at last king and without the restrictions of his mother. Almost immediately he finds himself at odds with his prime minister and refuses assent to a bill passed by Parliament. In typical Shakespearean style Charles then finds himself tangled in political intrigue and family betrayal. The politicians seek his abdication. William is portrayed as a rather weak character entirely under the ambitious thumb of his ruthless wife who lusts for power. Harry seems more obsessed with finding love somewhere in an East End council flat than the duties of his birth whilst Camilla does her best to keep everything together. So far so good. All the characters are entirely believable and extremely well cast although perhaps Prince Harry is somewhat better looking than his stage counterpart. But sadly there is major flaw in the script. The bill in question would restrict press freedom and the plot suggests that public outrage at the King's refusal to allow this is sufficient to cause 'bloodletting' in a virtual civil war. Such is more than unlikely. Moreover both William and Harry turn against their father as the crown is wrestled from him by force with their support. Such is even more absurd. Eventually Charles accepts the betrayal and crowns his own son with bitter sentiment. Never can one imagine that the ancient rites of kingship would be so trampled simply because the king would protect free speech. And were that to transpire I am certain that Charles would invoke the Plantagenate curse that saw the Tudor usurpers extinct in three generations after their treachery at Bosworth. Now that would have been a far better ending as Charles crowns the son that stole his throne. What a pity the writer did not compose with greater imagination and less absurdity.

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• Don't mind the 'Shakespearian' language.

  eatomson2017-05-14

  Previous reviews have mentioned the odd 'iambic' Shakespearian language, suggesting that it might discourage people. I thought it was effective, in showing the distance between the Royals' lives and 'reality'. And if you listen, it makes sense even to those who 'doth daily go, back and forth, upon the Clapham omnibus', as the Prime Minister describes the regular people who have always backed the Royals. If it were spoken in normal 'posh' English, it would sound like some soap opera, 'Real Housewives of Windsor' perhaps. Or some show about the doings at a big family-run firm. My down-votes were for the dim lighting in too many scenes, and the depiction of Kate Middleton, which, I suppose in an effort to give her something to do, made her a scheming political creature. I would like to see the playwright do Edward VII and Edward VIII. The first also waited most of his life to take the throne, and the second gave up his throne 'for the woman he loved'.

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• What the hell did I just watch?

  LyonME2017-05-21

  Where did this fantasy "reality" drama come from? It takes real living people and turns them into farcical characters with evil or untoward motivations. Yet, like a train wreck, I couldn't look away. I guess it's interesting to watch but I'm not sure why. We all have our opinions on the royal family and what we think makes them tick. It just seems a bit irresponsible to commit those notions to film, which has the unfortunate effect of being interpreted as having a basis in fact.

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• Absolutely ludicrous.

  rolandkavanagh2017-09-07

  If I could give this -10 I would. CANNOT believe that the monarch who stands up against the government (who want to censor the freedom of the press) is made out to be the evil character. I was expecting at every turn for this delusion to be corrected, that the populace would support the monarchy over the government, but no. Typical BBC garbage propaganda. The biggest irony is that a BBC produced piece was in support of press censorship... Says it all. The chap that played Charles III was a very good actor however and put in a good performance. So much so that I am still in shock that he was the "bad guy". Make sure you listen to his words closely, at least on that part, the script was somewhat decent. Again, so difficult to understand how or why we are supposed to be against him. Also if you MUST watch it, then please do so illegally and don't pay a penny to the BBC for the privilege.

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• What rubbish! I'd be highly offended on Royal Family's behalf and I am from India.

  varuna122017-06-27

  What utter piece of crap is this telefilm! Worst aspect of the film is the casting. Except for Camilla perhaps, none of the actors looked the part. None of them had the 'Regalia' or look of that would make one feel them as a part of the Monarchy. None of them had the elegance. The Direction, whatever shoddy little there was, was totally inapt and crass. I simply hated they way they 'utlilized' Late Princess Diana in shitty 'surreal' sequences. Have the makers so shame and respect for the dead? Why was it necessary to raise the issue about who Harry legitimacy? By doing so they did nothing but insult Princess Diana. And then there is the Prince Harry's affair with young Black woman. I am sorry to say but she wasn't as pretty as Harry's character was making her to be. He hardly spent one night and couple of days with her and he was willing to give up all so quickly! Rubbish! Pathetically rubbish! BBC has miserably failed with this telefilm, in an attempt to be seen as 'Politically Correct' they have intentionally 'utlized' people of color in situations which look highly contrived and unreal. The body language of the actor playing Prince Charles was sadly rubbish. When confronted by the family to force him to abdicate, his body language was an immature child. I am quite, quite disappointed with the story of this film. Charles was doing the right thing but for some reason everyone has seemed to opt for betraying him. There really isn't a story or any conflict to resolve in this film. The only decent scene is where Charles dressed up as a Monarch entering the House of Commons and his speech. Everything else is utter nonsense! BTW who gives a crap about what Catherine wants or thinks? How dare her character walk in demand the King to abdicate?! I hate this film! I hate it! I really hate it! For technical reason, for aesthetics, for art and for the sheer stupid insulting story.

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