Nikolaj Arcel and Rasmus Heisterberg started the writing process by reading the 1999 novel The Visit of the Royal Physician by Per Olov Enquist, which is based on the events surrounding Johann Friedrich Struensee's time at the Danish court. The exclusive film rights for the novel were already sold to a company which had been struggling for over a decade to make a large-scale adaptation in English, and did not want to sell the rights to Zentropa. Research continued and the film was eventually credited as based on Bodil Steensen-Leth's erotic novel Prinsesse af blodet, which tells the story from the perspective of the queen, Caroline Mathilde. The film's perspective and characterisation did still remain highly influenced by Enquist's version, in particular in the portrayal of Struensee as an idealistic promoter of freedom of speech, the romantic view of the royal court as an ironical charade and the role of the queen as a revolutionary partner-in-crime to Struensee. To avoid conflicts about rights, Enquist was contacted to clarify some instances of what he had made up and what was based on documented events, and a person was employed specifically to compare the screenplay and the novel to guarantee that they were dissimilar enough.
A Royal Affair
(2012)En kongelig affære 5
| Country | |
| Spoken Language | deutsch, danish, english, french |
| Runtime | 2 hr 12 min |
| Budget | $6 000 000 |
| Premiere: World | $14 758 997 March 29, 2012 |
| USA | $1 546 761 |
| Other countries | $13 212 236 |
| Box Office – Budget | $8 758 997 |
| Premiere: USA | $1 546 761 November 9, 2012 |
| theaters | 56 |
| rollout | 418 days |
| Digital: World | March 26, 2013 |
| Parental Advisory | Violence & Gore, Sex & Nudity, ... |
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| Production Companies | |
| Also Known As | Caroline Mathilde's Years Denmark |
Description
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.Сast and Crew
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About the Book
The film "A Royal Affair" is based on the historical novel Prinsesse af blodet by Bodil Steensen-Leth. The book delves into the intriguing and complex historical events surrounding the Danish court in the 18th century, focusing on the life of Queen Caroline Matilda, her marriage to King Christian VII, and her affair with the royal physician Johann Friedrich Struensee.About the Author
Bodil Steensen-Leth is a Danish author known for her historical novels that often explore the lives of women in history. Her work is characterized by meticulous research and a deep understanding of the historical context, bringing to life the personal and political dramas of the past.Film Adaptation
The film "A Royal Affair" closely follows the narrative and themes of Steensen-Leth's novel, capturing the essence of the historical period and the emotional depth of the characters. The screenplay, written by Rasmus Heisterberg and Nikolaj Arcel, stays true to the book's portrayal of the complex relationships and political intrigue at the Danish court.Key Themes
- Historical Accuracy: The film maintains a high level of historical accuracy, reflecting the detailed research found in Steensen-Leth's novel.
- Character Development: The characters are richly developed, with the film capturing the nuanced portrayals found in the book.
- Political Intrigue: Both the book and the film explore the political machinations and power struggles of the time.
Historical Background
The film "A Royal Affair" is based on the true story of a significant period in Danish history during the 18th century. It revolves around the life of Caroline Matilda of Great Britain, who was married to King Christian VII of Denmark. The story highlights her affair with the royal physician, Johann Friedrich Struensee, and the political changes that ensued.Key Figures
- Caroline Matilda of Great Britain: The youngest daughter of King George II of Great Britain, she was married to King Christian VII of Denmark at a young age. Her marriage was troubled due to the king's mental illness.
- King Christian VII of Denmark: Known for his mental instability, his reign was marked by the influence of his physician, Struensee, who effectively ruled in his stead for a period.
- Johann Friedrich Struensee: A German physician who became the personal doctor to King Christian VII. He gained significant political power and initiated progressive reforms in Denmark, but his affair with the queen led to his downfall.
The Affair and Its Consequences
The affair between Caroline Matilda and Struensee began around 1770. Struensee's influence over the king allowed him to implement Enlightenment-inspired reforms, which modernized Denmark but also created enemies among the nobility and conservative factions. Eventually, the affair and Struensee's reforms led to a coup in 1772. Struensee was arrested and executed, while Caroline Matilda was exiled. The reforms were largely rolled back, and the conservative forces regained control.Historical Accuracy of the Film
The film "A Royal Affair" is praised for its historical accuracy in depicting the events and the complex relationships between the characters. It captures the essence of the Enlightenment period and the political intrigue of the Danish court. The screenplay, written by Rasmus Heisterberg and Nikolaj Arcel, is based on the novel by Bodil Steensen-Leth, which provides a detailed account of this historical period. While some dramatic elements are added for cinematic effect, the film remains largely faithful to the real events and the spirit of the time.Production
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A beautiful historical film in the spirit of Young Catherine . Unlike the latter, the leading roles here are played not by the queen herself, but by her lover. Even though Mikkelsen and Vikander have a 20-year age difference and Vikander is almost a girl, you can feel the chemistry between them.
Starting as "Marie Antoinette", the story turns out to be much more twisted and ambiguous. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the history of Denmark knows such personalities as Christian VII. Or maybe it’s all about the characters portrayed in the film, who can hardly be called models of morality.
A beautiful film about 18th-century Denmark. Excellent actors. Mads is magnificent.
A good film for the evening, especially for fans of historical films; as always, I believe that the director’s point of view is not discussed, and the reliability of historical facts should not be drawn from the plots of such film adaptations. I was pleased with everything.
Despite the fact that the mentioned events from the life of Denmark in the 18th century are somewhat simplified, the story is still not simple and unambiguous – this is the main advantage of this film without idealized heroes. With fairly natural characters with their own weaknesses and vices.
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