I've been waiting so long to see this movie. Since we live in the woods, this film never made it here on the big screen though I'm sure it was shown in Seattle. But getting my husband to drive 3-1/2 hours to see a romantic movie is not an option, even with popcorn and malted milk balls thrown in:)My friend Ruth spotlighted this film on her blog. She does the most remarkable reviews of books and movies (and more!) despite having a day job. Kudos to Ruth! The video just came to our tiny town so I rented it. And I'm so glad I did. Doesn't the photo just make your historical-loving heart beat a little faster? Queen Victoria was a remarkable person in her own right. Being fascinated with the history of the British royal family, I've read about her in detail and loved the film of her in her older years, Mrs. Brown. Highly imaginative, perhaps, as we'll never really know if she fell in love with that rascally Scotsman, John Brown, but it made a wonderful movie.
I don't want to tell you too much about The Young Victoria in case you want to see it yourself. But since we're talking about the royals, I will tell you a related story. A few years ago, I was attending a missions conference here in Washington State and heard a story you won't find in the media. The keynote speaker said that shortly before her death, Princess Diana was seated by an evangelist at a banquet. Their talk eventually turned to personal matters and she began to question him about Jesus, the Bible, and spiritual things. This talk led to her accepting Christ as her Savior in the weeks to come, before that tragic car crash along the Seine. I don't remember anything else that was said from the podium that night - just that. And I remember the soloist sang one of my favorite hymns, His Eye is on the Sparrow. I like to think that, if true, a troubled princess had her happy ending, after all - in Him. And I was reminded of that all over again as I watched this moving movie.
If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisty, the most profitable explanation is that I was made for another world. -C.S. Lewis