A Royal Affair

Original title: En kongelig affære

2012
R
2h 17m

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

52K

YOUR RATING

A young queen, who is married to an insane king, falls secretly in love with her physician - and together they start a revolution that changes a nation forever.

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Period Drama Biography Drama History Romance

A young queen, who is married to an insane king, falls secretly in love with her physician - and together they start a revolution that changes a nation forever.A young queen, who is married to an insane king, falls secretly in love with her physician - and together they start a revolution that changes a nation forever.A young queen, who is married to an insane king, falls secretly in love with her physician - and together they start a revolution that changes a nation forever.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

52K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 21 wins & 42 nominations total

Videos1

Trailer 2:00

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Photos197

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Swedish actress Alicia Vikander had to learn Danish. Vikander spent two months in Copenhagen in Denmark learning Danish prior to principal photography.

Goofs
While all of the characters all speak Danish in the film, the court language in Denmark at the time was German. In real life neither Graf Bernstorff nor Johann Struensee spoke any Danish, and it is probable that Christian and Caroline also conversed in German rather than the "people's language." However, this is a movie made for a Danish audience. "Translating" the characters' speech to the language of the audience is in the same principle as Hollywood movies where Egyptian Pharaohs and Roman Emperors speak English.

Quotes
Johann Friedrich Struensee: Your majesty.
Caroline Mathilde: You recognized me.
Johann Friedrich Struensee: I would recognize you blindfolded.
Caroline Mathilde: But your costume is not very imaginative.
Johann Friedrich Struensee: I'm afraid I'm not very good at the masquerade.
Caroline Mathilde: I believe this is the one night when everyone can be themselves.
[pause]
Caroline Mathilde: But you never remove your mask. Do you?

Connections
Featured in Maltin on Movies: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012)

Soundtracks
Water Music, HWV 350, Suite No.3 in G Major (III. Minuet)
Music by George Frideric Handel (as Georg Friedrich Händel)
(P) Zentropa Music

User reviews102

Review

Featured review

8/10

Not a trivial costume drama... Well directed and played

Within the last decades, Denmark has become the leading film country around the Baltic Sea, several films have been praised in major festivals around the globe. En kongelig affære is a pleasant supplement to the succession. Based on real events and persons, the film focuses on broader issues than a simple love between 2 powerful persons. Despite some not-so-good characteristic features of the doctor Struensee, his appearance in the Danish royal and executive circles changed the country thoroughly. And today, Denmark is one of the most progressive countries in the whole world.

The cast is evenly strong - not the leading roles only, but supporting performances as well. Mads Mikkelsen is great as usual, irrespective of the role, but the biggest surprise to me was Mikkel Følsgaard (as Christian VII) - I had never heard about him before; as he managed to win the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the Berlin Film Festival, I am sure he will be used often both in Denmark and internationally.

Well, the total length could have been less, 2 hour 15 minutes included some protracted scenes. Nevertheless, the film is recommended to all those fond of historical palace dramas.