DVDs:

	Victoria & Albert Victoria Hamilton, Jonathan Firth A&E Home Video, 2001 average customer review:based on 31 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

Victoria is barely 18 when her uncle King William IV dies. She is introduced by the family adviser to a young German prince called Albert, and in spite of their initial indifference to one another and a great deal of political opposition, they fall in love. Marriage brings its own problems, however, and as Victoria, grows from an inexperienced young woman into a shrewd and powerful monarch Albert struggles to find a role for himself in both the family and the nation.

The relationship between Victoria and Albert was a remarkable one and this film, while occasionally erring on the side of sentiment, brings that relationship to life. The young leads are charming, but it is the supporting cast of British acting stalwarts--including Nigel Hawthorne, David Suchet, and Diana Rigg--who make Victoria and Albert truly worth watching. --Simon Leake

for more information click here

Fairy tale Love Story you want to believe.

Might not be historically accurate, but worth while watching. Brilliant performance on both Victoria Hamilton and Jonathan Firth.


A WONDERFUL LOVE STORY!

I cannot remember when I have enjoyed a movie more. The faithfulness of Albert and the unbashed love that Victoria had for him. The costuming of this movie was grand and royal. A feast for the eyes and a joy for the heart. Even when Albert is taken away from her, so cruelly by fate, Victoria is devastated, and though the did not explore it in this movie she was able to be a strong leading influence for her people. I found the acting to be believable, esp. w/ Albert's character.
Rent before you buy, but if you love English history and want a good movie to watch over & over BUY this one. I did!

for more information click here

Splashy production favors romance over accuracy

Maybe I am guilty of having overly high expectations, but I guess I expected more from this production than it delivered. Certainly the most of the cast boasts an impressive resume, although I found the two principals to be somewhat wanting. The real Victoria, on her absolute best day, came nowhere close to being as cute as Victoria Hamilton, and it appeared at times that Prince Albert's German accent (in the hands of Jonathan Firth) actually became more pronounced as the production wore on. He starts out sounding English & ends up sounding German (or Middle European at least)? How truly odd.

These are quibbles. Mostly I was disappointed because whoever wrote the script seemed settle for a series of romantic vignettes, linked together by an outdoor shot ("Windsor Castle, Ten Years Later --- 1861," for example). Victoria & Albert struggle with the conflict of their duties & their feelings. Victoria & Albert squabble. Then Victoria & Albert hold hands & profess their love for each other. Really really schmaltzy music begins to play. Cue the next outdoor transitional shot with a subtitle. Repeat several times over the next few hours. There was no sense of coherent narrative.

As many other reviewers have mentioned, historical accuracy is sacrificed early & often. No need to go into specifics as it has been covered before --- suffice it to say, the producers apparently reached a fork in the road --- one could try to be reasonable accurate in telling the story, or one could appeal to the masses & churn out a schmaltzy love story with two appealing leading players (the real Victoria & Albert weren't nearly this sympathetic). Obviously a lot of people loved the choice the producers made, so who am I to criticize?

My favorite part of this production? Peter Ustinov's turn as the aging William IV --- but sadly, he is pushing up daisies before the first hour is finished. After that, I found myself wishing that Albert would just hurry up and die, so we could get this over with.

for more information click here

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

products you might be interested in

recommendations

My Period Romance Movie Collection (Plus some Musicals)
Great Period Films You May Have Missed Part 2
Jenn's Period Movie List R-Z
Victorian Films (1837-1900)
My Cinematic Valentine