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Bertie and Elizabeth

Bertie and Elizabeth

TV movie200299 minMidcredits score: 77th percentile of all films
Director
Giles Foster
Starring
James Wilby, Alan Bates, Juliet Aubrey, Eileen Atkins

The life of England’s George VI, who was forced to become King following the abdication of his brother, and his relationship with his wife, Elizabeth.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Bertie and Elizabeth?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Bertie and Elizabeth streaming on Pluto TV (free), Prime Video, Shout! TV via The Roku Channel, The Roku Channel (free) and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

Rent / Buy

Rent · $2.99

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Bertie and Elizabeth?

Bertie and Elizabeth earns 2 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Bittersweet.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Bertie and Elizabeth worth watching?

Bertie and Elizabeth's Midcredits score is the 77th percentile of all films, from 821 ratings across 3 sources. 73% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

77th percentile

Better received than 77% of films

63rd percentile among Biography75th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)70th
Approval (how many liked it)82nd

67 /100

70th percentile of all films

55th percentile among Biography69th percentile among 2000s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.1 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

73% liked it

82nd percentile of all films

69th percentile among Biography80th percentile among 2000s
73% rated it 7–1027% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

37th percentile

821 ratings across platforms

17th percentile among Biography29th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 8% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the film is a fast, superficial gloss over historical events with some good acting and visuals.

Fans praised

  • strong central performances from James Wilby and Juliet Aubrey
  • the love story and devotion between Bertie and Elizabeth is moving
  • gorgeous period sets, costumes, and cinematography

Detractors panned

  • hack dialogue and shallow character writing
  • whitewashes and distorts the abdication history
  • glosses over complex events in favor of a bland photo-album approach

What stands out

Cinematography75

lush sets and lovely visuals

ActingDivisive70

leads praised as superb; some supporting turns hammy

Emotional impactDivisive65

royal couple's devotion is touching to fans

Originality45

new take on abdication but fails to offer fresh perspective

Characters40

Bertie and Elizabeth feel real but supporting figures are flat

DialogueDivisive40

some witty moments but often stiff or hackneyed

PacingDivisive35

too fast, skips decades; some scenes overlong

Plot and story30

telescopes history into disjointed vignettes

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • US vs non-US 9 points apart

Watch experience

What is Bertie and Elizabeth like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Romantic: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are in the mood for a love story.

It takes its time and leaves you bittersweet. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Romantic.

The answer rests on this: Moods
WarmRomantic
Heaviest: late
Dry humor
Register
WarmSentimental · 8% of filmsRomantic · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its royal subjects with affectionate reverence, celebrating their love and devotion to duty without irony.
The rideThe film maintains a warm, affectionate tone throughout, with the most emotional weight concentrated on Bertie's declining health and death in the final stretch.
StructureThe film chronologically follows Bertie's life from his marriage through his unexpected ascension and reign.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Bittersweet.

BittersweetHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayTheir devoted partnership and triumph over adversity leave a warm, wistful feeling despite the sadness of Bertie's early death.
How it ends · evidence
Tragic ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).RebirthHealing
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13% (this title): Redemption 3% · Healing 5% (this title) · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Healing: Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).

13% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeBertie's transformation from a self-doubting spare heir into a confident king, overcoming his stammer with Elizabeth's support, follows a rebirth structure.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfMarriageBonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% (this title) · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% (this title) · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Marriage · 2% of filmsDuty · 2% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on the loving partnership between George VI and his wife, and the sense of duty that carries them through personal and national crises.
StanceThe film celebrates Bertie and Elizabeth's devotion and public service, framing their story as an inspiring example of duty and love against a societal backdrop of war and monarchy.

The world

Early 20th century
Supportive music · original score · Ilona Sekacz
SettingThe British royal household from the 1920s through WWII and Bertie's death in 1952.
MusicThe score underscores the romantic and patriotic tone, noted by fans as a strength of the production.

Cast and crew

Who is in Bertie and Elizabeth?

Cast

James Wilby
as Bertie
Alan Bates
as King George V
Juliet Aubrey
as Elizabeth
Eileen Atkins
as Queen Mary
Dolly Wells
as Princess Mary
Barbara Leigh-Hunt
as Lady Mabell Airlie
Charles Edwards
as David
Oliver Ford Davies
as Archbishop Lang
Deborah Cornelius
as Thelma Furness
Michael Elwyn
as Lionel Logue

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Bertie and Elizabeth?

Movies like Bertie and Elizabeth include Mrs. Brown (1997), The King's Speech (2010) and The Lady in the Van (2015). Of the 5 closest matches, most are biopics, and most are films set in London.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Bertie and Elizabeth?

753 other films share the rarest tag below, follows: royalty. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.