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

Lang objects to Lionel’s presence, but Bertie insists that his speech specialist sit in the King’s Box.

Scene 77 of 100 · ≈ 2 min on screen · Act two

Bertie
Cosmo Lang
Lionel

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:08 into a 1:31 film

The story so farBefore scene 77

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.
Scene 70
After failing at the accession speech and reconciling with Logue, Bertie accepts their equal friendship as the basis for facing his public duty.
Just before
Scene 74
Bertie calls Lionel a coward and pushes him to face Myrtle with the truth.
Scene 75
Lionel and Bertie reveal the king’s identity to Myrtle; Elizabeth gracefully declines dinner.
Scene 76
Westminster Abbey prepares for the coronation.
Scene 77
This scene

77INT. WESTMINSTER ABBEY - DAY

The center piece of the Coronation staging is the throne of Edward the Confessor. Scaffolding has been erected to supply seating. Technicians work to erect film cameras, lights, radio microphones.

They stop short as they see Cosmo Lang waiting to greet them, flanked by the Dean of Westminster and a couple of flunkies.

There is a distinct drop in temperature.

BERTIE

Archbishop.

COSMO LANG

Welcome your Majesty.

(referring to the cathedral, but it’s double-edge)

What a glorious transformation,

Sir. I hope you’ll forgive us if we

continue our preparations. Allow me

to guide you through the ceremony.

They begin to walk together, Lionel a few paces behind.

COSMO LANG (CONT’D)

We begin, of course at the West

Door, then into the nave.

BERTIE

I see all your pronouncements are

to be broadcast, Archbishop.

Cosmo sees Bertie staring at the microphones.

COSMO LANG

Ah, yes, wireless is indeed a

Pandora’s Box. I’m afraid I’ve also

had to permit the newsreel cameras.

The product of which I shall

personally edit.

LIONEL

Without momentary hesitation.

BERTIE

Doctor Lionel Logue of Harley

Street, my speech specialist.

COSMO LANG

Specialist?! Had I known Your

Majesty was seeking assistance I

would’ve made my own

recommendation.

BERTIE

Dr. Logue is to be present at the

Coronation.

COSMO LANG

Well of course I shall speak to the

Dean, but it will be extremely