Queen Elizabeth II: Conclusion

Over watching these documentaries you discover patterns and differences between them.  Each documentary takes a different angle.  Yes, there are repeats in the stories about the Queen and it shows that there are standard stories about the Queen.  I wish the Diamond Queen has been posted again because I would have liked to have reviewed that one during this time. 

Queen Elizabeth II: 70 Years - YouTube (1:34:39)
Queen Elizabeth’s life was shaped by a life of service.  As a princess, she never expected to be Queen.  However, was thrust into the spotlight.  This documentary highlights her life and her family and the three events that shaped her life.  The Depression, the Abdication, and World War II.  She trained as a mechanic during World War II.  She would meet the love of her life and would raise four children.  She was a steady figure for seventy years of history.  This documentary gives a look at the life of Queen Elizabeth II.  *Recommended to show in a history class.*

Queen Elizabeth: A Life of Service - YouTube (49:48)
This documentary on the Queen has an old-school feel to it.  Queen Elizabeth has reigned longer than any British Monarch (yes, this documentary came out during the Diamond Jubilee) and in sixty years she witnessed many changes to the world and to the royal family.  Over her reign, she traveled over a million miles and made over 250 foreign visits.  She strives to strengthen the ties among the Commonwealth Nations.  So this is a documentary about the highs and lows of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. *NOT RECOMMENDED for research purposes or showing in a classroom.*

Queen Elizabeth and Britain's Leaders - YouTube (42:25)
Once a week, the British Prime Ministers are bound to meet the Queen.  Details of these meetings have not been revealed.  The Queen has met fourteen Prime Ministers during her reign.  Even though she was at the heart of political life in England, the Queen followed a policy of silence.  She never spoke about her politics or gave a politically charged opinion.  This documentary talks about her relationship with the Prime Ministers.  *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for research purposes and showing in the classroom.*

Elizabeth and Margaret: The Tale of Two Sisters - YouTube (43:56)
No two sisters were ever less alike.  One sister was reserved and the other lively.  One was the leader of the nation.  The other was looking for purpose.  They each had to carve a different path in life.  Elizabeth and Margaret are among the most photographed women in history.  However, what lies underneath the relationship between the two sisters?  This documentary explores the relationship between Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.  *Recommended for research purposes and showing in a classroom.*

50 Glorious Year: A Royal Celebration - YouTube (49:28)
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip fell in love with Prince Philip when he was thirteen years old and they started exchanging letters.  Eight years later they would marry and would be married in Westminster Abbey on November 20, 1947.  They were one of the most glamorous couples at the time.  They were married while rationing was taking place and the British public lapped up the joyful celebrations.  So, what was their marriage like?  *NOT RECOMMENDED for research purposes or showing in a classroom.*

A Very Royal Wedding - YouTube (47:54)
The royal wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip set the trend for royal weddings to come.  It was something that the British had never seen before.  This film looks at how their royal wedding was pulled off.  It happened at a time when a nation needed a moral boost.  So from the wedding dress to the bouquet and the flowers, one historian looks at how the state pulled off this royal wedding.  It was the marriage of a beautiful princess and a dashing prince.
*Recommended for a fun history day.*

Trevor McDonald’s Queen and Country - YouTube (43:35)
Sir Trevor McDonald narrates the story of Queen Elizabeth II.  He begins with the news that her father had died and that she was coming back to England as Queen.  She was young when she became Queen.  At the time she would not have dreamed of overseeing momentous changes in history.  She would gain political and historical experience over seven decades.  At the center of the story is the city of London.  This story explores how London and Elizabeth II’s reign are tied together.  *Not recommended for the classroom.*

Her Majesty the Queen: A Remarkable Life - YouTube (49:30)
In 1953 Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II.  Over the years, her family took second place as she did her job.  Royal weddings came and went.  Royal homes went up in flames.  Marriages were dissolved.  Tragedy happened.  She traveled around the world several times.  She had duties to perform.  A new woman appeared on the scene.  This is the story of Queen Elizabeth II.  *Recommended for research purposes.*

Reign Supreme: The Unauthorized Story of Queen Elizabeth II - YouTube (48:11)
Queen Elizabeth II is a symbol of stability and continuity in the United Kingdom.  She has weathered the storms of life.  She has witnessed the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.  At a young age, she was called on to lead an empire and served that empire.  The work of the monarchy increased under her leadership.  The monarchy evolved under her watch.  *Recommended for research purposes and for a history classroom.*