The Madness of King George - wikipedia The Madness of King George This article is about the 1994 film. For the play by Alan Bennett, see The Madness of George III. For the 2004 political satire, see The Madness of King George ( book ). This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( April 2017 ) The Madness of King George Original theatrical release poster Directed by Nicholas Hytner Produced by Stephen Evans David Parfitt Written by Alan Bennett Based on The Madness of George III by Alan Bennett Starring Nigel Hawthorne Helen Mirren Ian Holm Amanda Donohoe Rupert Graves Rupert Everett Music by George Fenton George Frideric Handel Cinematography Andrew Dunn Edited by Tariq Anwar Distributed by The Samuel Goldwyn Company Release date 28 December 1994 ( 1994 - 12 - 28 ) ( United States ) 24 March 1995 ( 1995 - 03 - 24 ) ( United Kingdom ) Running time 110 minutes Country United Kingdom Language English Box office $15.2 million The Madness of King George is a 1994 British biographical historical comedy - drama film directed by Nicholas Hytner and adapted by Alan Bennett from his own play, The Madness of George III. It tells the true story of George III of Great Britain 's deteriorating mental health, and his equally declining relationship with his eldest son, the Prince of Wales, particularly focusing on the period around the Regency Crisis of 1788 -- 89. Modern medicine has suggested that the King 's symptoms were the result of acute intermittent porphyria, although this theory has more recently been vigorously challenged, most notably by a research project based at St George 's, University of London, which concluded that George III did actually suffer from mental illness after all. The Madness of King George won the BAFTA Awards in 1995 for Outstanding British Film and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Nigel Hawthorne ; it also won the Best Art Direction and was nominated for additional Oscars for Best Supporting Actress for Mirren and Best Adapted Screenplay. Helen Mirren also won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress and Hytner was nominated for the Palme d'Or. In 1999, the British Film Institute voted The Madness of King George the 42nd greatest British film of all time. Contents 1 Plot 2 Cast 3 Production 3.1 Title change 3.2 Filming locations 4 Reception 4.1 Box office 4.2 Critical response 5 Awards and honours 5.1 Academy Awards 5.2 BAFTA Awards 5.3 Other awards and nominations 6 See also 7 References 8 External links Plot The film depicts the ordeal of King George III whose bout of madness in 1788 touched off the Regency Crisis of 1788, triggering a power struggle between factions of Parliament under the conservative William Pitt the Younger and the reform - minded Charles James Fox. At first, the King 's habits appear mildly eccentric, and are purposely ignored for reasons of state. The King is seen as being highly concerned with the wellbeing and productivity of England, and continually exhibits an encyclopedic knowledge of the families of even the most obscure royal appointments. In fact, the King is growing more unsettled, largely over the loss of America. George, his oldest son, aggravates the situation, knowing that he would be named regent in the event the King was found incapacitated. George chafes under his father 's repeated criticism, but also hopes for regency to allow him greater freedom to marry his Catholic mistress. George also knows that he has the moral support of Charles Fox, who is eager to put across an agenda unlikely to pass under the current administration, including abolition of the slave trade and friendlier relations with America. Knowing that the King 's behavior is exacerbated in public, the Prince arranges for a concert playing the music of Handel. The King reacts as expected, interrupting the musicians, acting inappropriately towards Lady Pembroke, attendant to the Queen, and finally assaulting his son. The King 's madness is treated using the relatively primitive medical practices of the time, which include blistering and purges, led on particularly by the Prince of Wales ' personal physician, Dr. Warren. Eventually, Lady Pembroke recommends Dr Willis, an ex-minister who attempts to cure the insane through new procedures, and who begins his restoration of the King 's mental state by enforcing a strict regime of strapping the King into a waistcoat and restraining him whenever he shows signs of his insanity or otherwise resists recovery. Meanwhile, the opposition led by Charles James Fox, confronts Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger 's increasingly unpopular government with a bill that would give the Prince powers of regency. Meanwhile, Baron Thurlow, the Lord Chancellor, discovers that the Prince was secretly and illegally married to his Catholic mistress. Thurlow pays the minister to keep his mouth shut, and himself tears out a record of the marriage from church rolls. The King soon shows signs of recovery, becoming less eccentric and arrives in Parliament in time to thwart passage of the Regency bill. Restored, the King asserts control over his family, forcing the Prince to `` put away '' his mistress. With the crisis averted, those who had been closest to the king are summarily dismissed from service, including Dr Willis. During conversations with Pitt, the King appears more at ease and in control of himself. He is less antagonized by America, but also shows signs that his insanity remains. Cast Nigel Hawthorne as King George III Helen Mirren as Queen Charlotte Ian Holm as Francis Willis Amanda Donohoe as Lady Pembroke, Lady of the Bedchamber Rupert Graves as Colonel Greville Geoffrey Palmer as Doctor Warren Rupert Everett as George, Prince of Wales Jim Carter as Whig MP and leader of the opposition, Charles James Fox Julian Rhind - Tutt as Frederick, the Duke of York Julian Wadham as a Conservative MP and Prime Minister, William Pitt the Younger Anthony Calf as Lord Charles Fitzroy Adrian Scarborough as Fortnum John Wood as Lord Thurlow Jeremy Child as Black Rod Struan Rodger as Henry Dundas Janine Duvitski as Margaret Nicholson Caroline Harker as Mrs. Fitzherbert Roger Hammond as Baker Cyril Shaps as Pepys Selina Cadell as Mrs. Cordwell Alan Bennett as a backbench MP whose speech is interrupted by everyone running out to see the King Nicholas Selby as Speaker Production Title change In adapting the play to film, the director Nicholas Hytner changed the name from The Madness of George III to The Madness of King George for American audiences, partly to clarify George III 's royalty, and partly because there was a worry that American audiences would think it was a sequel and not go to see it, assuming they had missed `` I '' and `` II ''. Filming locations Principal photography took place from 11 July to 9 September 1994. The film was shot at Shepperton Studios and on location at : Arundel Castle, Arundel, West Sussex Divinity School, Oxford Broughton Castle, Banbury, Oxfordshire Eton College, Eton, Berkshire Royal Naval College, Greenwich St. Paul 's Cathedral, London Syon House, Brentford, Middlesex Thame Park, Oxfordshire Wilton House, Wilton, Wiltshire Reception Box Office The Madness of King George debuted strongly at the box office. The film grossed $15,238,689 from 464 North American venues. Critical response This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. ( March 2016 ) The film received largely positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 93 % `` Certified Fresh '' score based on 43 reviews, with an average rating of 8 / 10. The site 's consensus states : `` Thanks largely to stellar all - around performances from a talented cast, The Madness of King George is a funny, entertaining, and immensely likable adaptation of the eponymous stage production. '' Reviewing the film for Variety, Emanuel Levy praised the film highly, writing : `` Under Hytner 's guidance, the cast, composed of some of the best actors in British cinema, rises to the occasion... Boasting a rich period look, almost every shot is filled with handsome, emotionally charged composition. '' Awards and honours Academy Awards Best Actor ( Nigel Hawthorne ) -- Nominated Best Supporting Actress ( Helen Mirren ) -- Nominated Best Adapted Screenplay ( Alan Bennett ) -- Nominated Best Art Direction ( Ken Adam, Carolyn Scott ) -- Won BAFTA Awards Best Film ( David Parfitt ) -- Nominated Best British Film ( David Parfitt ) -- Won Best Direction ( Nicholas Hytner ) -- Nominated Best Actor in a Leading Role ( Nigel Hawthorne ) -- Won Best Actress in a Leading Role ( Helen Mirren ) -- Nominated Best Actor in a Supporting Role ( Ian Holm ) -- Nominated Best Adapted Screenplay ( Alan Bennett ) -- Nominated Best Film Music ( George Fenton ) -- Nominated Best Cinematography ( Andrew Dunn ) -- Nominated Best Production Design ( Ken Adam ) -- Nominated Best Costume Design ( Mark Thompson ) -- Nominated Best Editing ( Tariq Anwar ) -- Nominated Best Sound ( Christopher Ackland, David Crozier, Robin O'Donoghue ) -- Nominated Best Makeup and Hair ( Lisa Westcott ) -- Won Other awards and nominations Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress ( Helen Mirren ) -- Won Palme d'Or ( Ncholas Hytner ) - Nominated Best Actor ( Nigel Hawthorne ) -- Won. Evening Standard British Film Award for Best Film ( Nicholas Hytner ) -- Won Evening Standard British Film Award for Best Screenplay ( Alan Bennett ) -- Won Evening Standard British Film Award for Best Technical / Artistic Achievement ( Andrew Dunn ) -- Won Goya Award for Best European Film ( Nicholas Hytner ) -- Nominated London Film Critics ' Circle Award for British Film of the Year -- Won London Film Critics ' Circle Award for British Actor of the Year ( Nigel Hawthorne ) -- Won London Film Critics ' Circle Award for British Actress of the Year ( Helen Mirren ) -- Nominated London Film Critics ' Circle Award for British Screenwriter of the Year ( Alan Bennett ) -- Won London Film Critics ' Circle Award for British Technical Achievement of the Year ( Ken Adam ) -- Won National Board of Review : Top Ten Films -- Won Writers Guild of America : Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published ( Alan Bennett ) -- Nominated Writers ' Guild of Great Britain : Film - Screenplay ( Alan Bennett ) -- Won See also BFI Top 100 British films References Jump up ^ `` THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE ( PG ) ''. British Board of Film Classification. 23 January 1995. Retrieved 30 March 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` The Madness of King George ( 1994 ) ''. Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 30 March 2016. Jump up ^ What Was The Truth About The Madness Of George III ? Jump up ^ `` PROFILE : Life on an Artistic Carousel : Nicholas Hytner, director of ' Miss Saigon ' and ' Carousel, ' and ' Madness of King George ' on film, is the hottest British import. Is he ready for America 's Pop Icon Machine ? ''. LA Times. 1995 - 01 - 08. Retrieved 2017 - 07 - 09. Jump up ^ Natale, Richard ( 3 January 1995 ). `` New Year Box Office Starts Off With Bang Movies : At $15.5 million, ` Dumb ' stole the show during the long holiday weekend. But many other movies filled the seats as well ''. The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 31 December 2010. Jump up ^ `` The Madness of King George ( 1994 ) ''. Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved 30 March 2016. Jump up ^ Review : ' The Madness of King George '. Retrieved on 2016 - 10 - 08 from https://variety.com/1994/film/reviews/the-madness-of-king-george-2-1200439660/. Jump up ^ `` Festival de Cannes : The Madness of King George ''. festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 5 September 2009. Jump up ^ `` Empire Awards Past Winners - 1996 ''. Empireonline.com. Bauer Consumer Media. 2003. Retrieved 16 September 2011. External links The Madness of King George on IMDb The Madness of King George at Box Office Mojo The Madness of King George at Rotten Tomatoes Mikkelson, Barbara & David P. `` The Madness of King George '' at Snopes.com : Urban Legends Reference Pages. Films directed by Nicholas Hytner The Madness of King George ( 1994 ) The Crucible ( 1996 ) The Object of My Affection ( 1998 ) Center Stage ( 2000 ) The History Boys ( 2006 ) The Lady in the Van ( 2015 ) Awards for The Madness of King George BAFTA Award for Best British Film 1947 -- 1967 Odd Man Out ( 1947 ) The Fallen Idol ( 1948 ) The Third Man ( 1949 ) The Blue Lamp ( 1950 ) The Lavender Hill Mob ( 1951 ) The Sound Barrier ( 1952 ) Genevieve ( 1953 ) Hobson 's Choice ( 1954 ) Richard III ( 1955 ) Reach for the Sky ( 1956 ) The Bridge on the River Kwai ( 1957 ) Room at the Top ( 1958 ) Sapphire ( 1959 ) Saturday Night and Sunday Morning ( 1960 ) A Taste of Honey ( 1961 ) Lawrence of Arabia ( 1962 ) Tom Jones ( 1963 ) Dr. Strangelove or : How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb ( 1964 ) The Ipcress File ( 1965 ) The Spy Who Came in from the Cold ( 1966 ) A Man for All Seasons ( 1967 ) 1992 -- present The Crying Game ( 1992 ) Shadowlands ( 1993 ) Shallow Grave ( 1994 ) The Madness of King George ( 1995 ) Secrets & Lies ( 1996 ) Nil by Mouth ( 1997 ) Elizabeth ( 1998 ) East Is East ( 1999 ) Billy Elliot ( 2000 ) Gosford Park ( 2001 ) The Warrior ( 2002 ) Touching the Void ( 2003 ) My Summer of Love ( 2004 ) Wallace & Gromit : The Curse of the Were - Rabbit ( 2005 ) The Last King of Scotland ( 2006 ) This Is England ( 2007 ) Man on Wire ( 2008 ) Fish Tank ( 2009 ) The King 's Speech ( 2010 ) Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy ( 2011 ) Skyfall ( 2012 ) Gravity ( 2013 ) The Theory of Everything ( 2014 ) Brooklyn ( 2015 ) I, Daniel Blake ( 2016 ) Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri ( 2017 ) London Film Critics ' Circle British Film of the Year Life Is Sweet ( 1991 ) Howards End ( 1992 ) The Remains of the Day ( 1993 ) Four Weddings and a Funeral ( 1994 ) The Madness of King George ( 1995 ) Secrets & Lies ( 1996 ) The Full Monty ( 1997 ) Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels ( 1998 ) East Is East ( 1999 ) Billy Elliot ( 2000 ) Gosford Park ( 2001 ) All or Nothing ( 2002 ) The Magdalene Sisters ( 2003 ) Vera Drake ( 2004 ) The Constant Gardener ( 2005 ) The Queen ( 2006 ) Control ( 2007 ) Slumdog Millionaire ( 2008 ) Fish Tank ( 2009 ) The King 's Speech ( 2010 ) We Need to Talk About Kevin ( 2011 ) Berberian Sound Studio ( 2012 ) The Selfish Giant ( 2013 ) Under the Skin ( 2014 ) 45 Years ( 2015 ) I, Daniel Blake ( 2016 ) Dunkirk ( 2017 ) GND : 4688871 - 8 VIAF : 181539956 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Madness_of_King_George&oldid=853837022 '' Categories : 1994 films English - language films British films 1990s biographical films 1990s comedy - drama films 1990s historical films British biographical films British comedy - drama films British historical films Best British Film BAFTA Award winners Biographical films about British royalty Cultural depictions of George III Cultural depictions of George IV Cultural depictions of William Pitt the Younger Directorial debut films British films based on plays Films directed by Nicholas Hytner Films produced by David Parfitt Films set in England Films set in London Films set in Oxford Films set in Berkshire Films set in the 1780s Films shot in Berkshire Films shot in London Films shot in Oxfordshire Films shot in West Sussex Films shot in Wiltshire Films whose art director won the Best Art Direction Academy Award 1788 in fiction Screenplays by Alan Bennett The Samuel Goldwyn Company films Hidden categories : Use dmy dates from September 2013 Articles needing additional references from April 2017 All articles needing additional references All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from April 2017 Articles to be expanded from March 2016 All articles to be expanded Articles using small message boxes Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Català Deutsch Español Euskara فارسی Français Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Polski Português Русский Suomi Svenska Türkçe 中文 11 more Edit links This page was last edited on 7 August 2018, at 07 : 51 ( UTC ). 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Question: who played george in the madness of king george
Answer: Nigel Hawthorne