The King's Speech · written by David Seidler · 2010

In Lionel’s study, Bertie apologizes and voices his fear that he will fail the nation.

Scene 70 of 100 · ≈ 2 min on screen · Act two

Plot Point II
Save the Cat: Break into Three
Bertie
Lionel
Myrtle

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:05 into a 1:31 film

The story so farBefore scene 70

Prince Albert seeks to overcome a lifelong stammer so he can serve his country, but his fear of public failure and the royal hierarchy obstruct his work with an unconventional speech therapist.

Scenes 1–11
Bertie lives within royal ceremony but cannot speak publicly and remains constrained by family roles.
Scenes 12–24
Elizabeth seeks a different treatment because Bertie must speak and conventional medicine has failed.
Scenes 25–30
Bertie enters Logue’s unfamiliar, egalitarian practice and finally commits to its daily work.
Scenes 31–58
He tests the exercises in public and private while family history and David’s crisis expose the cost of silence.
Scenes 59–64
David abdicates and Bertie receives the throne he never wanted.
Scenes 65–67
The accession speech fails, and Bertie feels the loss of private family closeness and confidence.
Just before
Scene 67
At night, Bertie breaks down over state papers, the coronation, and the Christmas broadcast; Elizabeth accepts her future as queen.
Scene 68
Cars arrive at the Logue home as Bertie and Elizabeth come to see Lionel.
Scene 69
Elizabeth and Bertie enter the Logues’ home and greet Lionel.
Scene 70
This scene

70INT. LOGUE’S STUDY - CONTINUOUS

The two men enter and sit down. A moment of uncertainty. Then Bertie blurts.

BERTIE

Here’s your shilling, Logue

(puts shilling down)

I understand what you were trying

to say, Logue.

LIONEL

I went about it the wrong way. I’m

sorry.

BERTIE

Now here I am. Is the nation ready

for two minutes of radio silence?

LIONEL

Every stammerer always fears they

will fall back to square one. I

don’t let that happen. You won’t

let that happen.

BERTIE

If I fail in my duty... David could

come back. I’ve seen the placards

“Save Our King!” They don’t mean

me. Every other monarch in history

succeeded someone who was dead, or

about to be. My predecessor is not

only alive, but very much so. What

a bloody mess! I can’t even give

them a Christmas Speech.

LIONEL

Like your Dad used to do?

BERTIE

Precisely.

LIONEL

Your father. He’s not here.

BERTIE

Yes he is. He’s on that bloody

shilling I gave you.

LIONEL

Easy enough to give away. You don’t

have to carry him around in your

pocket. Or your brother. You don’t

need to be afraid of things you

were afraid of when you were five.

A pause -

LIONEL (CONT’D)

You’re very much your own man,

Bertie. Your face is next, mate.

There’s a noise outside the door.

MYRTLE (O.S.)

Lionel?

LIONEL