Film: The Madness of King George (1994)

Nigel Hawthorne stars as the British monarch who seemingly became mentally disturbed during his reign and had to endure barbaric 'cures'. Based on Alan Bennett's acclaimed play, The Madness of King George takes a dark-humoured look at the mental decline of the King.

The film's story begins nearly three decades into George's reign, in 1788, as the unstable king begins to show signs of increasing dementia, from violent fits of foul language to bouts of forgetfulness. This weakness seems like the perfect chance to overthrow the unpopular George in favour of the Prince of Wales, but the king's prime minister and his wife Queen Charlotte are determined to protect the throne. Doctors are brought in, but the archaic treatments of the time prove of little value.

This film will be introduced by Dr Jenny Graham.

Director: Nicholas Hytner
Cast: Nigel Hawthorne, Helen Mirren, Rupert Everett
Running time: 105 mins
Cert: PG

www.plymouth.ac.uk/whats-on/film-the-madness-of-king-george-1994

Ticket information: £6/£4.20/Friends free/UoP students free via SPiA