Windsor Castle - A Royal Year (2006)

Fascinating.....and the British can keep 'em!!

I bought this as I am both fascinated and repelled by the British monarchy. The pomp and ceremony are quite interesting and way over the top (Christmas caroling to the queen's horses in the royal stables!). QE2 comes off as stodgy and not in touch with the real world. As an American, after viewing this DVD, I really cannot decide which is worse -- spending thousands of dollars for a toilet on a US government jet or having a guy on the government payroll whose entire career is dedicated to raising the flag once a week at the exact moment the Queen's limo is entering Windsor Castle. What a great gig! The volunteer bell ringers were also funny -- ringing away in honor of the birthdays of various members of the royal family. Very entertaining. April 1, 2008

Fascinating Inside Look at the Royals

As an American, I never gave much thought to the British Royal Family and their ongoing soap opera. The insane outpouring of grief by the British public after the death of Princess Diana left me bewildered. I happened to watch part of this series on PBS one night and was fascinated by the inner working of Windsor Castle and the Royal Family. Well produced with an off-screen narrator speaking perfect RP and selections from Bach's Brandenberg concerto tinkling in the background, the viewer is transformed Cinderella-like from humdrum existence to honored-guest status at Windsor Castle.

The Queen remains an aloof figure, never once speaking to the camera. It is said she has never given a press interview. Prince Philip plays a large role in one segment; the cameras follow him as he attends to his duties as Ranger of Windsor Park. In his late eighties he is still active with strong opinions about minor controversies relating to the Castle. He comes across as an endearing down-to-earth figure not at all like the distant, aloof cartoon caricature Royals that the tabloids portray.

One of the segments of the documentary details the preparation for the celebration of the 100 year anniversary of the Entente Cordiale. An extraordinary amount of preparation is needed to make ready for a large banquet. The musical Les Miserable was performed at the Castle to entertain the Queen and president Chirac.

Another episode shows the festivities surrounding Royal Ascot. The Queen has always been a horse racing enthusiast and has never failed to attend during her reign. Ascot is a chance for British society to dress up; much attention is paid to the dresses worn by the women. On that particular day, the narrator is scandalized by excessive displays of cleavage.

The episode that looks at the Garter Day ceremonies is especially good. At one point Prince Philip acknowledges the absurdity of dressing up in medieval costumes. The Queen and her Knights of the Garter, dressed in their ceremonial robes, proceed slowly from the Castle to Windsor Chapel. Afterwards they take lunch at the Castle dressed less formally.
The robes and the heavy gold ceremonial livery collars are so valuable that the Garter Knights store them at the Castle rather than risk their loss.

There is a DVD extra feature that briefly shows the Wedding Day of
Charles and Camilla.

Highly recommended. March 22, 2008

Well Oiled Machine

It was facinating to see all of the support staff that makes the Monarchy run like a well oiled machine. We're always seeing pictures of the Royal family, but how many people have seen the chap who winds the clocks or the women who keep that huge castle clean? November 24, 2007

Unappreciative Queen

Bravo to the stars of this documentary, the staff of Windsor Castle. They cheerfully work under the haughty, condescending, unappreciative eye of the Queen-- a woman who looks down her nose at everyone with an air of boredom and superiority. This documentary celebrates the commoners who create magnificent banquets for the Royals while the Queen marches around looking scornful. After seeing this documentary, one can easily imagine her to be a lonely, unhappy woman, poisoned by her own snottiness. No wonder she hated Princess Diana. If the Queen were vinegar, Diana would be honey.

November 4, 2007

Love it !

EXCELENT!
I give it five stars. This is the best documentary about english royal home and different events at Windsor Castle and it's surroundings. May 16, 2007

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