- Actors: Jim Broadbent, Paul Bettany, Emily Blunt, Miranda Richardson, Rupert Friend
- Directors: Jean Marc Vallee
- Format: PAL, Widescreen, Colour
- Language English, Italian
- Subtitles: Italian
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Number of discs: 1
- Studio: 01 Distribution
- Run Time: 101 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (114 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B0041KXVOM
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 231,181 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
109 of 110 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Well, I came to this one rather dreading it. National critics had given it something of a bashing. But it is super!
Young Victoria was the only surviving issue of several sons of George III ("Farmer George"). Two of her uncles, George IV (who made Brighton Pavilion) and his brother William IV (known as the "Sailor King" and "Silly Billy") had preceded her as monarch. Unfortunately for Victoria, her father, the Duke of Kent, died very early and her mother, the Duchess, fell under the spell of - not to put too fine a point on it - a conman in the shape of (later knighted as "Sir") John Conroy. Sensing the prospect of power, the two of them raised poor Victoria in a repressive background at Kensington Palace, dubbing their tyrannical regime "The Kensington System."
This is where the film starts. I loved it. Victoria is played with emotional literacy and verve by Emily Blunt. Miranda Richardson is restrained and blinkered as the Duchess and Mark Strong makes a villainous Conroy, slapping Victoria as she refuses to sign a document making him Regent.
Several of the other actors are so good that their identity in the cast list came as a PLEASANT SURPRISE (hence the title of this review). Jim Broadbent is great as crusty old William IV, asking God to let him hang on until May, when Victoria comes of age. (Thankfully, she did - and banished Conroy from her Court on her accession.) Michael Maloney puts in good work as Sir Robert Peel who Victoria clashes with politically. Paul Bettany is fabulous, if somewhat too young, as Lord Melbourne, Victoria's adviser and crush.
But the honours go to the dashing Rupert Friend, wonderful as Prince Albert. Albert - German and Royal and not popular with Parliament - is utterly rehabilitated in this film. It's a beautiful love story in a historical setting. The romance is made all the more poignant by the knowledge that Albert died after he and Victoria had ruled for 20 years. She mourned him for the rest of her life. On the morning afer their wedding night, he lies motionless in bed, almost a precursor of his death, as she passionately surveys him.
The loveliness of romance is underpinned by solid history and politics. The production values are superb, the research admirable, the storytelling gripping.
So what if it's revisionist in some respects? I won't be pedantic. But if you see it and like it, carry on to Christopher Hibbert's superb Queen Victoria: A Personal History and the somewhat less marvellous Becoming Queen (a bit novelettish for me).
Definitely one to enjoy.
Young Victoria was the only surviving issue of several sons of George III ("Farmer George"). Two of her uncles, George IV (who made Brighton Pavilion) and his brother William IV (known as the "Sailor King" and "Silly Billy") had preceded her as monarch. Unfortunately for Victoria, her father, the Duke of Kent, died very early and her mother, the Duchess, fell under the spell of - not to put too fine a point on it - a conman in the shape of (later knighted as "Sir") John Conroy. Sensing the prospect of power, the two of them raised poor Victoria in a repressive background at Kensington Palace, dubbing their tyrannical regime "The Kensington System."
This is where the film starts. I loved it. Victoria is played with emotional literacy and verve by Emily Blunt. Miranda Richardson is restrained and blinkered as the Duchess and Mark Strong makes a villainous Conroy, slapping Victoria as she refuses to sign a document making him Regent.
Several of the other actors are so good that their identity in the cast list came as a PLEASANT SURPRISE (hence the title of this review). Jim Broadbent is great as crusty old William IV, asking God to let him hang on until May, when Victoria comes of age. (Thankfully, she did - and banished Conroy from her Court on her accession.) Michael Maloney puts in good work as Sir Robert Peel who Victoria clashes with politically. Paul Bettany is fabulous, if somewhat too young, as Lord Melbourne, Victoria's adviser and crush.
But the honours go to the dashing Rupert Friend, wonderful as Prince Albert. Albert - German and Royal and not popular with Parliament - is utterly rehabilitated in this film. It's a beautiful love story in a historical setting. The romance is made all the more poignant by the knowledge that Albert died after he and Victoria had ruled for 20 years. She mourned him for the rest of her life. On the morning afer their wedding night, he lies motionless in bed, almost a precursor of his death, as she passionately surveys him.
The loveliness of romance is underpinned by solid history and politics. The production values are superb, the research admirable, the storytelling gripping.
So what if it's revisionist in some respects? I won't be pedantic. But if you see it and like it, carry on to Christopher Hibbert's superb Queen Victoria: A Personal History and the somewhat less marvellous Becoming Queen (a bit novelettish for me).
Definitely one to enjoy.
59 of 63 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I saw this film at the cinema, and it wasn't just me saying it was a great film. I overheard everyone leaving the cinema, and everyone was saying that it was fantastic. I wouldn't consider myself a royalist (and didn't know anything about Queen Victoria), however I still thoroughly enjoyed this film of her younger years. The acting was superb, the costumes stunning and the locations superb. You also couldn't beat the fabulous music, in particular the choir rendition of 'Zadok The Priest' which gave me goosebumps.
Don't think for a second that as it is a period film there is a lot of doom and gloom, because it is quite the opposite. This is a beautiful love story, with quite a lot of humour in it. Overall as far as period drama's go, this is one of the best.
One of my favourite scenes was the ball scene where Princess Victoria and Albert have their first dance. It was a heartstopping moment to say the least, and that is when she realises just how much she likes him.
The film shows how lighthearted Victoria was in her younger years with that spring in her step, whilst at the same time pursuing her duty of becoming Queen and knowing her responsibilities. Albert also knows his responsibilities, and is initially thrust upon her, but upon their first meeting is immediately smitten. Albert has plans of how he can help people, in particular the poorer communities. When Queen Victoria's reign is dealt a blow due to her over-reliance and flirtations with Prime Minister Melbourne (and as a result every person in the street is threatening her safety), Prince Albert saves the monarchy and Queen Victoria proposes. They become the perfect partnership, helping each other, and sharing the same vision by helping those less fortunate.
Highly Recommended.
Don't think for a second that as it is a period film there is a lot of doom and gloom, because it is quite the opposite. This is a beautiful love story, with quite a lot of humour in it. Overall as far as period drama's go, this is one of the best.
One of my favourite scenes was the ball scene where Princess Victoria and Albert have their first dance. It was a heartstopping moment to say the least, and that is when she realises just how much she likes him.
The film shows how lighthearted Victoria was in her younger years with that spring in her step, whilst at the same time pursuing her duty of becoming Queen and knowing her responsibilities. Albert also knows his responsibilities, and is initially thrust upon her, but upon their first meeting is immediately smitten. Albert has plans of how he can help people, in particular the poorer communities. When Queen Victoria's reign is dealt a blow due to her over-reliance and flirtations with Prime Minister Melbourne (and as a result every person in the street is threatening her safety), Prince Albert saves the monarchy and Queen Victoria proposes. They become the perfect partnership, helping each other, and sharing the same vision by helping those less fortunate.
Highly Recommended.
50 of 55 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I worked at The Victoria and Albert Museum for two and a half years.After realising Prince Alberts contribution to the V+A and to society as a whole.I learned to love and respect that wonderful man.Studying the books written about Prince Albert in the museum library I realised that for many years after his dealh historians were not kind to him.
The V+A gallery dedicated to Prince Albert's legacy was removed after Queen Victoria's death.The 1997 Museum director even wanted to change the name of the museum!
For many years I have thought when would modern society realise the genius and humanity of Prince Albert.This film had a lot of territory to cover to so, you have to read in between the lines sometimes. But the film undoughtedly shows the deep love and dedication that Prince Albert had for Queen Victoria and the deep ,deep heart that Prince Albert had for all of humanity.
You must see the DVD!!!Buy it and show it to everyone and the world will be a better place.
The V+A gallery dedicated to Prince Albert's legacy was removed after Queen Victoria's death.The 1997 Museum director even wanted to change the name of the museum!
For many years I have thought when would modern society realise the genius and humanity of Prince Albert.This film had a lot of territory to cover to so, you have to read in between the lines sometimes. But the film undoughtedly shows the deep love and dedication that Prince Albert had for Queen Victoria and the deep ,deep heart that Prince Albert had for all of humanity.
You must see the DVD!!!Buy it and show it to everyone and the world will be a better place.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Superb
I don't often give 5 stars, only when a film is faultless in every way. It's rare a film afects me so much, but this is a breath-taking beautiful film, with costumes, music,... Read more
Published 9 days ago by HJ
Charming British Film
'Young Victoria' is a delightful British film focusing on the monarch's younger years just prior and just past her accession to the throne in 1837. Read more
Published 24 days ago by Andrew Whitby
Young But Willing to Learn
I'm deeply interested in Victorian literature, yet I must confess that I know rather little about the great queen herself (so, I am considering to save up and buy a decent... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Rochester
"...Learn How To Play The Game..."
**** THIS REVIEW IS ABOUT THE US BLU RAY ISSUE AND ITS PLAYABILITY ON UK MACHINES ****
I rather naively believed that this US-only BLU RAY of "Young Victoria" would play... Read more
I rather naively believed that this US-only BLU RAY of "Young Victoria" would play... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mark Barry, Reckless Records, London
Pulls at the heart strings
The screen writer Julian Fellowes certainly knows how to pull at the heart strings (as of course he has done with his more recent effort "Downton Abbey"). Read more
Published 5 months ago by Gay Londoner
Don't waste you time with this...
I bought this movie with great expectations of seeing one of the best movies ever. But I got sadly disappointed. It never really goes down deep and shows some real emotion. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Tool
Will it play ?
I saw the film in the cinema and for the film itself would give 5 stars. Not all good films have to be fast paced. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Hiram's Brother
Young Victoria DVD
I ordered the DVD Young Victoria, for a friend for her birthday. I have also got the dvd, and I had also watched it at the cinema. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mrs. Gjm Tripp
strong and believable
From the photo on the front, you might expect that this would be in "Royal Wedding" vein; all sycophantic sentimentality. Well, it isn't! Read more
Published 11 months ago by Neil Carmichael
Young Victoria
Both my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the film. If you enjoy historical films this is to be recommended
Published 13 months ago by Angie
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