Michael Hytner, 1994 (8*)
This is an acting tour-de-force by Nigel Hawthorne (Oscar nominee), recreating his stage role as King George at a time when he apparently went mad, often proving himself unfit to rule; he would sometimes pounce on women at court and have to be dragged off them. Many think he was unable to keep the American colonies due to this illness. Helen Mirren shines as his wife, with an Oscar nod for supporting actress (she was robbed!), who stands beside him like a true partner through all the turmoil. It eventually became a major national issue, with Parliament getting involved. This is a terrific expose of a little-known piece of British history