How to Watch the Unseen Queen in the US

One of the most recognizable figures in history, Queen Elizabeth II was a beloved monarch for over 86 years. Her life has been the subject of documentaries, news specials and movies.

In honor of her Platinum Jubilee, BBC has made a documentary that tells her story using rare and unseen footage and family home movies. It's a real treasure trove of royal film and is an incredibly intimate way to celebrate Her Majesty’s remarkable legacy.

The Queen in Her Own Words

The queen has been a force to be reckoned with for seven decades, and her illustrious tenure has left a legacy of service and innovation. From a new generation of royals to a modern take on the monarchy, the Queen has been a true inspiration to generations of British citizens. She is a woman of extraordinary character and spirit, who has led her nation through some tumultuous times.

For this reason, she is a worthy subject of study by all who are interested in the stately arts. Here are some of her finest moments, and her most notable quotes.

Among her many contributions to the world at large, there is a special place in our hearts for her enduring commitment to public service. She has used her influence to help millions of people throughout the world. Whether it's helping people on the street or sending the armed forces on their way, she is an inspiring leader, and we can all learn from her example.

In short, she is one of the most admired and respected women in our country's history. Her impact on the British people is unrivaled, and her philanthropy has been felt worldwide. Those who have seen her speak for themselves will never forget her generosity and her willingness to give of her time, talents and money.

She might have had the longest reign, but she certainly ruled the roost when it came to witty and often hilarious speeches. A new documentary from American Public Television aptly named "The Queen in her own words" presents the best of the best in the form of a glitzy award winning show that is sure to enchant royalty and average Joe alike.

A Tale of Two Sisters

The first South Korean film to make it to US screens, A Tale of Two Sisters is an emotional mystery that's not afraid to delve into the dark side of life. Directed by Kim Jee-woon, it's a captivating breakthrough that lit up the Korean box office in 2003 and remains a key text contributing to the country's wider cinematic visibility.

It's a haunted house horror movie with twists and turns – a kind of puzzle-like mystery that rewards repeated viewings, and one that reflects the darker side of human nature. The film's title refers to the Joseon folktale Janghwa Hongryeon jeon, which concerns a family of two sisters who are raised by an evil stepmother after their mother dies.

Adapted from this story, A Tale of Two Sisters follows a recently released patient who returns home to her family's countryside estate with her sister. She and her sister's stepmother Eunju, who is still grieving for her late mother, are quickly drawn into a deep psychological turmoil when they find themselves facing an unseen force.

A Tale of Two Sisters is a modern retelling of the Janghwa Hongryeon jaeng, and while the plot is predictable and not as complex as it could be, the psychological journey it takes its characters on, draws viewers in like an emotional magnet. At its heart, A Tale of Two Sisters is a fairy tale, but it's also an homage to horror films such as The Shining and Hitchcock's Rebecca.

Guilt is at the heart of A Tale of Two Sisters – it hangs over the movie like a deathly shroud, and it's what fuels the supernatural element. It's a theme that Kim utilises to great effect throughout the movie.

Queen of the World

With a long and storied reign, Queen Elizabeth II has been the focus of numerous dramas that have attempted to capture her story. But if you're looking for something more in-depth than a TV special or movie, there are some ways to watch the queen herself, without ever leaving your home.

For example, there's a new documentary about the Queen that's available on HBO called Queen of the World. It's a look at her role as a leader on the global stage, and how she is passing the baton to the younger members of the Royal Family.

Unlike many other documentaries, this one is actually filmed over a year with privileged access to the Queen herself. It's a must-watch, and fans of the queen will want to catch it!

In the documentary, you'll find interviews with many of the current and future royals who will carry on her legacy, including Prince William, Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and Harry. It's also full of behind-the-scenes footage and looks at the monarch's impact on the world.

It's a great way to learn more about the queen herself, and it's also a fantastic way to discover her legacy for yourself. You'll also get to see some of her most beloved moments throughout the years.

If you're interested in a more dramatic take on the queen, check out the 2006 biographical film The Queen, starring Helen Mirren. The movie explores Queen Elizabeth II's internal struggle of whether to handle the death of Princess Diana privately or publicly. It's a fascinating tale, and Mirren's performance was one of the best of her career.

In honor of her 70th anniversary on the throne, the Queen will be having a Platinum Jubilee weekend this week, with plenty of ceremonies, parades and parties happening in Britain. If you live in the United States, you can watch all of these festivities on TV.

Elizabeth: A Portrait in Parts

For the past nine decades, we’ve been inextricably drawn to a figure instantly recognisable but largely unknowable: Queen Elizabeth. From the late director Roger Michell (Notting Hill, The Duke) comes a cinematic celebration of an icon that gives us a unique glimpse into her psyche and character.

In a world of talking heads documentaries about the Royal family, it's easy to lose sight of how truly extraordinary and personal she really is. That's the point of the late Roger Michell's impressionistic archive footage documentary, Elizabeth: A portrait in parts. Couched in fondness and gentle irreverence, it offers whimsical reflections on a lifetime of duty and service.

At its best, Elizabeth: A portrait in parts is like a potted history of the woman - from a young girl to an old monarch - through archival clips. Almost no narration is given, allowing us to see the film as a free-flowing, impressionistic collage of fleeting clips. Occasionally, Michell cuts to news footage and we get a healthy dose of context that helps give these clips some sense of scale.

The movie also shows how Elizabeth was often her own star - from early scenes of preparations for her Royal banquets to costume tests for Roman Holiday in which she wore a shimmering diamond tiara. It also includes a clip of Paul McCartney confessing that when he was a teenager, his friends had crushes on her.

While the film has its fair share of naughty imagery and some dated/offensive language, it is a well-balanced piece of work. The filmmaker aims to show the Queen as a complex, shrewd, and compassionate woman.

As a result, families will likely have an easier time discussing the movie with their children than they might with a more doctrinaire piece about the Queen. Families can talk about how she came across in the movie, what character strengths she displayed and whether or not she exhibited them well. They can also discuss the movie's use of outdated and offensive language and whether or not the filmmakers did enough to call it out.

The Crown

When we think of Queen Elizabeth II, our minds often turn to the prestigious Netflix series The Crown. The show, which has run for four seasons so far, tells the story of her rise to the throne through the words of well-known Britons who share their memories of her life as a royal.

However, despite being widely acclaimed and widely watched, The Crown has also been criticized for its inaccurate depiction of certain aspects of Queen Elizabeth's life. In particular, some of the show's more outlandish scenes paint Prince Philip and Duchess Camilla Parker Bowles in a rather unflattering light.

Regardless, the show is still one of the most popular historical dramas in history and is a must-watch for anyone interested in learning more about the Queen's reign and the events that led up to it. Fortunately, there are several other ways to catch the Queen's story without having to watch the show itself.

If you’re looking to learn more about the Queen, there are a number of documentaries that are worth checking out. Some of these are available to watch for free on YouTube and others can be purchased on Google Play, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

For example, BBC Select is a new international streaming service that offers tons of British documentaries. They recently released a landmark documentary called Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen, which is narrated by the Queen herself.

It features never-before-seen footage of the Queen as a child and behind-the-scenes film from state events. It also includes a glimpse into the Queen's relationship with her father, George VI, and family members.

Perhaps the most fascinating part of this film is that it features footage from when Elizabeth was young that has not been seen before. This includes shots of her in her pram, her doting grandparents sailing on a boat from the Isle of Wight and more. In addition, there are a number of interviews with people who knew her in her childhood years.