“Victoria the Great”

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1938, Page 9

“Victoria the Great”

One of the most brilliant historical films made in England, “Victoria the Great,” commenced a season at the Regent. Theatre on Saturday night. With a sweep of spectacle, the picture gave variety 'and attractiveness from the manner in which the Queen’s romance with Prince Albert, her eventual consort, is presented. It opens dramatically with the announcement of King William HV.’s death, and the breaking of the nows to the young Queen. It describes in dramatic fashion her life from the time she came to the Throne at the age of 17 until her Jubilee, GO years later. This film shows in convincing fashion that the era which bears her name is not as drab as it is sometimes porthayed. There is a colourful historical background, great figures which have often been relegated to history books flash vividly across the sci’een and exciting incidents founded on the truth give astonishing vitality to the 'action.

j In the part of Victoria, Anna Neagle, j the brilliant English actress, gives one jof the best characterisations of her j career, depicting five different stages !of the Queen’s life. Her performance 1 is marked by restraint and a feeling i for the essential points of character j which makes the figure of the Queen j live throughout the film. One of the j best of many dramatic scenes is that {in which she threatens to 'abdicate ' when Lord Palmerston attacks her husband. In the role of Albert, Anton Wa) brook gives a faithfully observed portrait of one of the most charming characters in English history. There is a large and talented supporting cast. The closing scenes, in which an entire troop of cavalry participated, are filmed in technicolour. and show the pageantry of the Jubilee in spectacular fashion. Music is by the baud of | His Majesty's Life Guards.