Queen (Earth, America, point of view, God, Adam)

[Katzpur]

Has anyone else seen this yet? I just got back from seeing it. It's nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture and is about Queen Elizabeth's response to Princess Diana's death. I really enjoyed it and would be interested in discussing it with others who have seen it.

[Katzpur]

*bump*

I really, really want everybody's input on this movie if, in fact, anybody has seen it. I saw it in a theater with my daughter the first time and just rented it so I could see it again with my husband.

I'm interested in anybody's point of view, but I am especially interested from hearing from my British friends. Is this really how your Queen behaved after Diana's death? I was absolutely appalled! Could we talk about the movie, but also about the real person and the office. The idea of a monarchy is something that has always just been offensive to me, but this movie -- particularly if it was accurate -- was enough to make me sick. Do you guys actually like the idea of a royal family? If so, why? In one part of the movie, someone (I can't remember who) explained to Tony Blair that Elizabeth was raised thinking the she was in her position of priviledge because it was God's will. I just can't buy that people in this day and age would go alone with such condescending, robotic behavior. It is your opinion that the British Monarchy will be around in another 500 or 1000 years? Doesn't this bug anybody but the Americans?

[Aqualung]

I like the band Queen, but the movie just kind of looked dumb. And I'm sure that's exactly the kind of response you were looking for, too.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

I like the band Queen, but the movie just kind of looked dumb. And I'm sure that's exactly the kind of response you were looking for, too.

I'm look for a discussion about Queen Elizabeth and how she acted after Diana's death. I never much cared for the Monarchy before, but I just can't stand them now. I just want to get some feel for the way the British feel about Elizabeth in particular, the royal family as a whole and the whole idea of the monarchy. I seriously think I couldn't live in England knowing how these pampered snobs where being supported off my hard day's work. It just sucks to me.

[Comprehend]

My wife and I just watched to movie on Saturday. I thought it was disappointing to say the least if it resembles what actually happened in any way.

Unfortunately, I do not have any real world information to compare the movie to because I couldn't care less about what the royal family does. Was the movie accurate in your opinion?

[Comprehend]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

In one part of the movie, someone (I can't remember who) explained to Tony Blair that Elizabeth was raised thinking the she was in her position of priviledge because it was God's will.

see the first treatise in John Locke's "Two Treatise's of Government" for an excellent paper on the subject.

Royalty actually claim the right because God gave the earth to Adam and they claim to be direct descendants from Adam. (or at least that used to be the rationale).

[MaddLlama]

Well, I was young at the time, and I didn't see the movie, but, Eddie Izzard does a real good bit on the subject.

[Terrywoodenpic]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

I'm look for a discussion about Queen Elizabeth and how she acted after Diana's death. I never much cared for the Monarchy before, but I just can't stand them now. I just want to get some feel for the way the British feel about Elizabeth in particular, the royal family as a whole and the whole idea of the monarchy. I seriously think I couldn't live in England knowing how these pampered snobs where being supported off my hard day's work. It just sucks to me.

How do you feel about your own Great Billionaire families. is it not a capitalists right to be powerful wealthy and pampered.

The royal family used to be immensely wealthy and powerful. personally owning great chunks of the UK. and were largely above the Law and paid no taxes.

Victoria came to an agreement with the Government of the day ,and gave most of the royal lands and properties to the state in exchange for a pension... as agreed this has been paid ever since to senior members of the royal family... the exception is the lands of the duchy of Cornwall which is owned by the heir to the throne ( now prince Charles ) because of this he gets no money from the state. All this has meant that The royal family is now relatively poor by modern standards... had they kept their lands and properties they would still be probably the richest family in the world.

Some members including the Queen have modest land holdings ... but these have come into her possession by purchase or through new members joining the family... in her case mostly her mother.

The queen has in recent years agreed to pay Tax on her wealth... she was exempt from this in the original agreement.

I have talked to many British people on the issue of the royal family and the conclusion has always been They would far rather keep this system with the Queen as head of state than have a presidency. the cost for one thing is far less. The total cost to your own nation of the presidency is enormous. You put almost unlimited power into his hands. who can with out any training or qualification veto legislation of both houses. ( In theory the queen can do this but never would as she can have such powers removed by parliament)

The heirs to the throne are trained in their task over a long period and should they prove unequal to it... they either abdicate or are effectively sidelined by public opinion.

On the other hand the extreme power of the president is placed in the hands of people who seem to be on a ego trip... they must be extremely wealthy to get elected. to raise the campaign funds they must virtually sell their souls to interest groups. Many that I have seen elected in my life time, have prove to be far from the full shilling, as we say. It also seems to help to be a celebrity or from a ruling dynastic family. None of these qualities are ones which I would recommend for the ruler of such a powerful nation

[Mike182]

i haven't seen the film, and i don't remember how old (young) i was when Dianna died, so i would have no idea if the film bears resemblance to how the Queen really acted.