Trevor McDonald’s Queen and Country

Good morning, we are continuing our exploration of Queen Elizabeth II in honor of her passing.  It was a scramble to get these documentaries reviewed and blogged about but I did it!  The documentary is called Trevor McDonald’s Queen and Country.  The run time for this documentary is 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.

London in 1952, the city was dull and drab.  The government attempted to revitalize the city; however, the evidence of war was still around.  London was still emerging from the damage of World War II.  It was described as “grey and battered.”  The nation was still trying to emerge from war and was losing the Empire.  England was nearly bankrupt due to the war.  Londoners needed something to look forward to.

A new young Queen was providing zest and hope to the nation.  The monarchy was also undergoing change.  The king had worked hard to be successful in light of the abdication.  Then World War II and the trauma that it brought provided additional difficulties for the King.  The symbols of monarchy would become the symbols of freedom.  Westminster Abbey still stood strong during the bombing.  St. Paul’s Cathedral saw fires around it.  Buckingham Palace was gaining in significance: the King and Queen stayed in central London during the war.  Buckingham Palace was bombed while they were in the building.  The fact that the Queen and King were sharing in the dangers with ordinary people helped national morale.  Buckingham Palace now was home to national celebrations.  It reflects the continuity of the monarchy.

London is where state visits take place.  The guards practice until perfect in preparations for state visits and other events.  The Queen would greet leaders in London.  It has been host to the center of political life in England.  Paring politics with monarchy provides pure theater.  Sir Trevor looks at old photographs of previous state visits over the year.  Times and technology may have changed, but the ceremonies remain the same.  The Queen sets the standards and expects others to meet them.  The Monarchy is separate from politics and does not speak about her personal politics.  She acts and speaks on the advice of her government.  She has seen history and what she has gleaned from history allows her to dispense her knowledge.

At the end of the war, Churchill did not think that the United Kingdom would step back.  However, the politicians gradually realized that the Empire would gradually fade and new superpowers would take their place.  The Queen was still a sign of continuity over the years.  She would have come to a court that still had court uniforms.  The court would have to slowly change to keep up with the times.  To learn more about London and the changes it underwent while Elizabeth was Queen, continue to watch this documentary.

The film could have cut down on the information on the changing of the guards and the regiments that are involved.  I also thought there would have been more on London at the start of the documentary.  I enjoyed listening to Sir Trevor McDonald’s narration and will have to see if I find another documentary that he narrates.  You can skip showing this documentary in the classroom.