After searching many years for this controversial film, I finally found it. What a Find! This wonderful story about the love affair between Edward VIII and Wallis Warfield Simpson was banned from being shown in England. The Royals hated it. The United States was open to its debut, but before they could obtain it, the Royal family banned it from being sold to The United States. Thus, this magnificent true story quickly disappeared from the face of the earth, only to surface nearly a half century later, greatly deteriorated, but deliciously received with exceptional fervor and joy.
King Edward VIII was played magnificently by the versatile Richard Chamberlain. With amazing creativity, the make-up artists brilliantly reshaped Richard's eyebrows, making him almost a dead-ringer for Edward. Both men are exceptionally handsome and slender, with Richard's near perfect English accent, aquired while living amongst the English for nearly five years, giving him an amazing edge for characterizing the abdicating King. Richard also had enjoyed an edge at one time with the Royals, who had loved him as the young intern, Dr. James Kildare, and arranged their schedules around his famous weekly television program. After receiving their love and admiration as Kildare, Richard was devastated when they displayed their fury toward him for daring to play Edward. It made a heart-felt impression on the tender-hearted actor, who had lived amongst them with such success and happiness. Richard tended to be very hard on himself when he was a young actor, and as a result of their anger, he regretted making this movie, and expressed extreme sorrow for causing Edward and the Royal family such distress. Richard Chamberlain claimed he had no idea, they had opposed the making of this movie. As a result, he was not only sorry he had done it, but admitted to a lack of judgement and severely criticized his own acting ability. The latter was totally inaccurate, for Richard actually was magnificent in his brilliant portrayal of Edward. How could he possibly have gone wrong? The Royals were not a particularly passionate lot, and Edward's unhappiness, somber moods, and bland personality was easily captured by an exceptional actor, who has portrayed the gamut of emotions in far more passionate and conflicted roles than this. His performance was so amazingly real and convincing, you easily forgot this was a movie, and believed yourself alone in a room, observing the tormented King as he overtly displayed his repertoire of emotions.
Faye Dunaway was a most lovely and convincing Wallis Warfield Simpson. She was also brilliant in her portrayal of this winsome and captivating woman. Richard and Faye starred together in many films early in their careers, but were never so magical and magnetic as they were in this touching story. Edward and Wallis's chance meeting, ignited interest in each other, and passionate love affair was beautifully captured in a series of "flashbacks." Richard was so sorrowful, and displayed such depth of emotion, it was easy to forgive the handsome, but tormented future King for his obsessive indiscretion. Richard's portrait was most kind to the abdicating Royal. Edward had always been unhappy as a privileged member of the Monarchy. Since a young child, he had wanted to be "like everyone else." His heart was far from his birthright of responsibility. He hated the pompous ceremonies, costumes, and rituals that accompanied the role of King. He was distraught with the heavy "burden" imposed on him by his order of birth. His innate rebellious heart had been searching for a way out...long before it found love with the commoner and twice divorced Wallis Simpson.
Unfortunately a very enjoyable and well-acted movie lay languishing in a vault for many decades...withheld from the world over differing opinions between a very honest man, his devastated Royal family, and a kingdom of divided subjects. How sad...for all we have lost. This was a profound story, acted beautifully by professional and savvy actors, who will leave you with a deep admiration for Edward VIII, as a man who courageously recognized that...for himself, it was impossible to carry out the heavy burden of responsibility, and to discharge his duties as King, without the help and support of...The Woman He Loved. You respect this tormented man for refusing to live a lie. He could not spend his days seething with contempt, while begrudging his lot in life. You admire him for "taking action," "staying true to himself," and "daring to change," his LIFE and HISTORY with one major leap of courage and conviction.
King Edward VIII was played magnificently by the versatile Richard Chamberlain. With amazing creativity, the make-up artists brilliantly reshaped Richard's eyebrows, making him almost a dead-ringer for Edward. Both men are exceptionally handsome and slender, with Richard's near perfect English accent, aquired while living amongst the English for nearly five years, giving him an amazing edge for characterizing the abdicating King. Richard also had enjoyed an edge at one time with the Royals, who had loved him as the young intern, Dr. James Kildare, and arranged their schedules around his famous weekly television program. After receiving their love and admiration as Kildare, Richard was devastated when they displayed their fury toward him for daring to play Edward. It made a heart-felt impression on the tender-hearted actor, who had lived amongst them with such success and happiness. Richard tended to be very hard on himself when he was a young actor, and as a result of their anger, he regretted making this movie, and expressed extreme sorrow for causing Edward and the Royal family such distress. Richard Chamberlain claimed he had no idea, they had opposed the making of this movie. As a result, he was not only sorry he had done it, but admitted to a lack of judgement and severely criticized his own acting ability. The latter was totally inaccurate, for Richard actually was magnificent in his brilliant portrayal of Edward. How could he possibly have gone wrong? The Royals were not a particularly passionate lot, and Edward's unhappiness, somber moods, and bland personality was easily captured by an exceptional actor, who has portrayed the gamut of emotions in far more passionate and conflicted roles than this. His performance was so amazingly real and convincing, you easily forgot this was a movie, and believed yourself alone in a room, observing the tormented King as he overtly displayed his repertoire of emotions.
Faye Dunaway was a most lovely and convincing Wallis Warfield Simpson. She was also brilliant in her portrayal of this winsome and captivating woman. Richard and Faye starred together in many films early in their careers, but were never so magical and magnetic as they were in this touching story. Edward and Wallis's chance meeting, ignited interest in each other, and passionate love affair was beautifully captured in a series of "flashbacks." Richard was so sorrowful, and displayed such depth of emotion, it was easy to forgive the handsome, but tormented future King for his obsessive indiscretion. Richard's portrait was most kind to the abdicating Royal. Edward had always been unhappy as a privileged member of the Monarchy. Since a young child, he had wanted to be "like everyone else." His heart was far from his birthright of responsibility. He hated the pompous ceremonies, costumes, and rituals that accompanied the role of King. He was distraught with the heavy "burden" imposed on him by his order of birth. His innate rebellious heart had been searching for a way out...long before it found love with the commoner and twice divorced Wallis Simpson.
Unfortunately a very enjoyable and well-acted movie lay languishing in a vault for many decades...withheld from the world over differing opinions between a very honest man, his devastated Royal family, and a kingdom of divided subjects. How sad...for all we have lost. This was a profound story, acted beautifully by professional and savvy actors, who will leave you with a deep admiration for Edward VIII, as a man who courageously recognized that...for himself, it was impossible to carry out the heavy burden of responsibility, and to discharge his duties as King, without the help and support of...The Woman He Loved. You respect this tormented man for refusing to live a lie. He could not spend his days seething with contempt, while begrudging his lot in life. You admire him for "taking action," "staying true to himself," and "daring to change," his LIFE and HISTORY with one major leap of courage and conviction.