TV/film/books The Crown

[jbtsax]

This Netflix tv series starring Claire Foy has become a favorite show of mine to watch. It is the story of Queen Elizabeth II from her coronation to the present day. The backgrounds and settings are breathtaking. It has given this American a greater understanding of the tradition of Royalty in England an its importance to the British culture.

 

[BigMartin]

It has given this American a greater understanding of the tradition of Royalty in England an its importance to the British culture.

I haven't seen it, but I suspect my views, and those of millions of others, on the subject may be under-represented.

 

[jonf]

Hmm, yes. Of all the subjects open to makers of television programmes, the royal family of our nation is the subject for which hagiographic productions are most presented as representing the spirit of the nation. This simply isn't true. Other views are available, and whatever one's views of the individuals in question, it's a bit of a stretch to infer anything about the spirit and culture of the UK from the lives of a single family, particularly one in possession of wealth beyond the dreams of Croesus.

I'm sure there will be others, including members of this forum, who think very differently. That's good, we all have our own views. What is important to remember is that the country is most certainly not universal and consistent in a single view of monarchistic fervour.

 

[Alice]

I hadn't heard of it, so I've just read a couple of articles and looked at the actors playing the roles. As a period drama with lavish costumes and scenery, I can see the appeal but I'm not convinced that it's going to be anything other than a sentimental, biased representation viewed through rose tinted spectacles and completely ignorant of their true appeal to a lot of the British public.

 

[Jazzaferri]

My wife and I watched the first season. Pretty well done IMO and we enjoyed it.

 

[jbtsax]

Some interesting responses so far, and I learned a new word. Thanks @jonf. As an "outsider" not well read on the history of Europe I am learning a lot from this show about the history of the monarchy which goes back well before my country was even founded. The British culture seems to be seeped in tradition in ways that are not possible for a country like mine that has only been around just over 2 centuries.

 

[jonf]

The programme will be well done, it's made by a very talented team. The monarchy is also a very valid subject for historic study, it is an interesting subject, particularly then international Anglo-German Greek element.

The thing is that as an institution it only represents a tiny fragment of the life and society of our historically very diverse nation. To someone like my father, who grew up in poverty during and after the second world war, the monarchy has only ever represented a negative symbol of historic privilege.

 

[Jazzaferri]

Unfortunately for the vast majority of us there has always been a ruling oligarchy in every country and likely always will be, regardless of how they get there.

 

[David Dorning]

I haven't seen it, but I suspect my views, and those of millions of others, on the subject may be under-represented.

They are actually like this

View: https://youtu.be/D6FU0cgg9ko

 

[Pete Thomas]

It has given this American a greater understanding of the tradition of Royalty in England an its importance to the British culture.

You really ought to see Blackadder to get the real picture.

 

[Targa]

Doesn't discussing the royal family count as politics, as the Queen is the head of the church of England, religion, mentioning the german and greek background, racism, and complaining about a woman in the top job, sexism?

 

[Colin the Bear]

Colonials being controversial again.

 

[Alice]

Not really @Targa because JBT was discussing a dramatised TV series on Netflix but his comment about British culture which he has devised from that is debatable and perhaps some of us think that he needs to or (edit) could look at a bigger picture if he's interested.

 

[Targa]

Doesn't discussing the royal family count as politics, as the Queen is the head of the church of England, religion, mentioning the german and greek background, racism, and complaining about a woman in the top job, sexism?

Not really @Targa .

It will be if I can get away with it.

 

[David Dorning]

Doesn't discussing the royal family count as politics, as the Queen is the head of the church of England, religion, mentioning the german and greek background, racism, and complaining about a woman in the top job, sexism?

It is the elephant in the sitting room raised by the original post which various members have acknowledged without pushing forum rules too hard.

 

[kevgermany]

@jbtsax enjoy the series. It's modern history as entertainment. And I believe it'll give you a good insight into one side of things. Like anything in history and the present, you'll get the supporters and opponents.

Forum rules on politics etc. are to prevent ugly polarised arguments descending into hell. We have to accept that we don't all have the same view on things and others' viewpoints are valid. And there are plenty of examples, even in the last couple of years.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Doesn't discussing the royal family count as politics,

Only if you make it political, which would result in the thread being closed down and removed.

 

[Targa]

I really must learn how to add little yellow smiley faces on my posts.

 

[saxyjt]

I only watched the first 2 episodes, but I found it was interesting. I don't know how accurate it is and I guess there is always some bias in how history is presented. Of course, unless you're intimate with the people being represented, it's difficult to tell if it's realistic or not. Churchill looks a bit caricatural, but that's almost always so.

I'm curious to read what brits out here think of this series.

I really must learn how to add little yellow smiley faces on my posts.

Or some will think you're grumpy! 😀

 

[Targa]

Or some will think you're grumpy! 😀

Is that heightist?