USA: LOS ANGELES PREMIERE OF "MRS BROWN", A FILM ABOUT QUEEN VICTORIA AND JOHN BROWN

Record ID: 221287

  • Title: USA: LOS ANGELES PREMIERE OF "MRS BROWN", A FILM ABOUT QUEEN VICTORIA AND JOHN BROWN
  • Date: 11th July 1997
  • Summary: (RTV ) JUDI DENCH SAYING, "MY HUSBAND ALWAYS SAYS IT'S MUCH MORE SEXY TO WEAR A DRESS THAT IS UP TO THE NECK AND THEN TURN AROUND AND IT HAS NO BACK THEN IT IS TO WEAR A DRESS THAT IS VERY LOW IN THE FRONT. IT APPLIES TO THIS REALLY. I THINK WHAT'S LEFT TO YOUR IMAGINATION IS REALLY IMPORTANT. I REMEMBER HOW SEXY "BRIEF ENCOUNTER" WAS. I HAVE A FEELING THE LESS YOU SEE OF
  • Embargoed: 26th July 1997 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVA20SWLJF83MT4BPJFKCHQ7S06L
  • Story Text: A delicate and hidden chapter in the history of the British monarchy has been revealed on celluloid in the new film "Mrs Brown".

    The film, which had its Los Angeles premiere last week, unveils the scandalous romance between late Queen Victoria and her stable servant John Brown.

    Dame Judi Dench stars opposite Scottish comedian Billy Connolly in this true story.

    The film begins in 1864. It has been three years since the death of her husband, Prince Albert, but the Queen remains in a deep depression, hidden from public view.

    In Victoria's life as Britain's supreme ruler, no-one can contradict her mood or desires. Every attempt to lift her depression fails.

    This starts to change when an unusual man enters Victoria's life: the Scottish servant John Brown. His arrival causes immediate upheaval throughout the Court.

    A Scot of fierce spirit and pride, Brown speaks his mind and does as he pleases, turning the tight structure of Victoria's household upside down.

    Brown quickly becomes the Queen's most trusted companion.

    Spurred on by Brown's insistence, Victoria returns to the pleasures of being alive. Rumours of an affair begin to scandalize polite society and a crisis in the monarchy seems inevitable.

    John Brown must make the ultimate sacrifice: to give Victoria back to the nation that needs her, at the cost of his own heart.

    Portraying the passion between Victoria and John Brown, "Mrs Brown" doesn't answer rumours about a physical relationship between the Queen and her servant. Nor does it speculate on reports of a secret marriage between the two.

    Nevertheless, speculation flared up again, even among the cast.

    "Billy here will tell you that there was a sexual relationship between them but I will tell you that I don't think that was," Dench told Reuters at the film's Los Angeles premiere.

    "Mrs Brown" was directed by John Madden. Madden had been trying to bring the story to the big screen for years.

    But reports that he delayed making the film for fears the present Royal family may be offended were refuted by the film's male lead.

    "That's crap. They can't be scandalized. They are the scandalous ones, these dirty beasts," Connolly joked.

    Mrs Brown was shot on a small budget in 30 days. During filming, the entire production moved 13 times between England and Scotland.

    "It was a little rock 'n' roll. Do it, pack the stuff, move on.

    No matter what weather," Connolly said.

    Unfortunately, the production found many authentic royal homes off-limits because friends and relatives reportedly were worried about offending the monarchy.

    Mrs Brown premieres in Europe at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on August 16. It opens in Britain on September 5.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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