Post by beckettologist on Mar 31, 2008 0:01:54 GMT -5
Just saw Tom as King George III in John Adams.
Wow! A short scene but very powerful.
SPOILER warning
John Adams is first instructed on the protocol required in meeting the King. It is rather humorous to see how nervous Adams is as he practices. When the time comes to finally meet the king he enters and sees King George standing by his chair the immense room and the immense chair are foreboding as he walks slowly forward all the while the king stares coldly and silently at him. You could cut the tension with a knife. Finally Adams speaks and the King continues to stare, finally sitting down in his chair. They converse and while the King speaks of his support and his concerns for the United States his eyes glisten with tears. He gives an almost imperceptible smile. See it if you can. The series IS going to be on DVD and can be pre-ordered. I highly recommend this.
Added later after replaying it...
Here is a transcript for all of you who can hear his voice in your head:
John Adams: The United States of America...The United States of America have appointed me minister [sounded like plenaportentionery ?] to Your Majesty. I think myself more fortunate than ALL of my fellow citizens in having the distinguishing honor to be the first to stand in Your Majesty's presence in a diplomatic character. I shall esteem myself to be the happiest of men if I can be instrumental in restoring the confidence and affection or in better words, the 'good old nature' and the 'good old humor' between peoples who though separated by an ocean and under different governments, have the same language, religion...and kindred blood...I beg Your Majesty;s permission to add that though I had been before entrusted by my country...it was never in my whole life in a manner more agreeable to myself.
King George: The circumstances of this audience are so extraordinary...the language that you have held is so extremely proper and the feelings you have discovered so justly adapted to the occasion that I not only receive with pleasure the assurance of the friendly disposition of the United States, but that I am very glad that the choice has fallen on you to be their minister. I will be very frank with you. I was the last to consent to separation. But the separation having been made, and having become inevitable, I have always said, as I say now that I would be the first to meet the friendship of the Untied States as an independent power.
John Adams: (after a long, emotionally charged pause) Thank you Your Majesty.
(King smiles very slightly. As does Adams)
King George: There is an opinion amongst our people Mr Adams, that you are not the most attached of all your countrymen to the manners of France.
(Adams gently laughs)
John Adams: Ah... yes well I avow to Your Majesty that I have no attachment to any country but my own.
King George (with a tear in his eye): An honest man will never have any other. (wipes tear away quickly).
(Adams bows and starts to leave)
King George: I pray, Mr Adams, that the United States does not suffer unduly from its want of a monarchy.
John Adams: Yes, yes we will strive to answer those prayers, Your Majesty.
King nods, faintly smiles as Adams backs nervously from the enormous room.
Wow! A short scene but very powerful.
SPOILER warning
John Adams is first instructed on the protocol required in meeting the King. It is rather humorous to see how nervous Adams is as he practices. When the time comes to finally meet the king he enters and sees King George standing by his chair the immense room and the immense chair are foreboding as he walks slowly forward all the while the king stares coldly and silently at him. You could cut the tension with a knife. Finally Adams speaks and the King continues to stare, finally sitting down in his chair. They converse and while the King speaks of his support and his concerns for the United States his eyes glisten with tears. He gives an almost imperceptible smile. See it if you can. The series IS going to be on DVD and can be pre-ordered. I highly recommend this.
Added later after replaying it...
Here is a transcript for all of you who can hear his voice in your head:
John Adams: The United States of America...The United States of America have appointed me minister [sounded like plenaportentionery ?] to Your Majesty. I think myself more fortunate than ALL of my fellow citizens in having the distinguishing honor to be the first to stand in Your Majesty's presence in a diplomatic character. I shall esteem myself to be the happiest of men if I can be instrumental in restoring the confidence and affection or in better words, the 'good old nature' and the 'good old humor' between peoples who though separated by an ocean and under different governments, have the same language, religion...and kindred blood...I beg Your Majesty;s permission to add that though I had been before entrusted by my country...it was never in my whole life in a manner more agreeable to myself.
King George: The circumstances of this audience are so extraordinary...the language that you have held is so extremely proper and the feelings you have discovered so justly adapted to the occasion that I not only receive with pleasure the assurance of the friendly disposition of the United States, but that I am very glad that the choice has fallen on you to be their minister. I will be very frank with you. I was the last to consent to separation. But the separation having been made, and having become inevitable, I have always said, as I say now that I would be the first to meet the friendship of the Untied States as an independent power.
John Adams: (after a long, emotionally charged pause) Thank you Your Majesty.
(King smiles very slightly. As does Adams)
King George: There is an opinion amongst our people Mr Adams, that you are not the most attached of all your countrymen to the manners of France.
(Adams gently laughs)
John Adams: Ah... yes well I avow to Your Majesty that I have no attachment to any country but my own.
King George (with a tear in his eye): An honest man will never have any other. (wipes tear away quickly).
(Adams bows and starts to leave)
King George: I pray, Mr Adams, that the United States does not suffer unduly from its want of a monarchy.
John Adams: Yes, yes we will strive to answer those prayers, Your Majesty.
King nods, faintly smiles as Adams backs nervously from the enormous room.