An ITV production....forty years ago that would have meant high quality, but nowadays it doesn't. This one hour 40 minutes high speed tour through the life and times of George VI and his wife Elizabeth from meeting until his death is compromised by its short length, a high speed tour through highlights rather than anything in-depth.

The settings and costumes are fine, and so are some of the performances, especially as Juliet Aubrey as Elizabeth, someone any man could fall for. But Alan Bates' George V descends rapidly into caricature, and Charles Edwards makes an Edward VIII who has all the self-absorption but little of the charm. There are some strange characterisations amongst the supprting cast as well, with assistant private secretary Tommy Lascelles shown as a fat wise old duffer.

Overall this is inadequate stuff. ( )