Tom Hooper's 2010 film The King's Speech centers on King George VI's struggle to overcome a debilitating stammer and claim his voice as monarch. The film builds to a pivotal moment when Bertie, pushed to his breaking point by speech therapist Lionel Logue's provocations, roars three defiant words. "I have a voice!"This declaration resonates beyond one man's personal triumph. In a society where physical and speech disabilities often disqualify individuals from leadership roles, the film presents a king (arguably the most visible public figure in the British Empire) fighting for the same recognition that countless people with disabilities seek daily.In this article, we uncover how the movie’s line, “I have a voice,” is a cry of rebellion from suppressed voices. The Story Inspired by a true story, The King’s Speech revolves around King George VI’s journey to become the king of the British Empire after his father's death. King George VI, formerly Prince Albert, Duke of York, also known as “Bertie” (Colin Firth), was the second son of King George V. The prince had a stammer, struggling to finish even a single sentence in one go. Because of this speech impediment, nobody considered him fit for public leadership. The film begins with the closing ceremony of the 1925 British Empire Exhibition at Wembley, where Bertie is addressing the crowd; his wife, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), is by his side. But the speech is broken by the young prince, who stammers endlessly, leaving a crowd of thousands unsettled and judgmental of...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Thursday, 13 November