Young Victoria, 2009,

Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée

Consider these questions and issues before viewing the film:

1. Study the excerpt from the British monarch’s family tree on

the right. Find out more about individual monarchs preceding
and following Queen Victoria.
2. What was the Kensington System? Did the young Victoria
show signs of rebellion against her way of life?
3. Who is “uncle Leopold”? Whose uncle is he? What is his
role/interest in the matter?
4. Who are the “modern composers” Victoria likes? And Albert?
She also enjoys dancing; what part of Europe does the waltz
come from?
5. What did a lady of her status do with her enormous leisure
time? Note what activities Victoria is shown as indulging in.
6. Note the clothes worn by men and women – in particular how
Victoria’s dress changes as she grows up and becomes queen.
7. Pay attention to the workings of the British Parliament. Note the two-party system and its two leaders.
What are houses debates like? What trivial matter brings down the government at one point?
8. We get a small glimpse of the role of public opinion in political life. When do you see the newspapers
intervening in political matters?
9. Since Victoria and Albert are apart for most of the film, the director faced a challenge in making us feel
their growing feelings for each other. How did the director solve the problem?

Find out some more about the following:

 Duke of Wellington
 Stone of Scone
 Sir Walter Scott
 The Regency

Who says the following?

a) Even a palace can be a prison.
b) I should find one to play it with you not for you.
c) Do you ever feel like a chess piece yourself?
d) You better master the rules of the game and play it better than they can.
e) If you ever need an ally, you have one in me.
f) You are confusing stubbornness with strength, my dear.
g) I’ve recently discovered the waltz and I am quite in love with it.
h) I will love you till my last breath.