The Diamond Queen. DVD. approx. 3 hrs. Prod. by BBC. Dist. by Warner Home Video. 2012. ISBN 978-0-7806-9601-8. $19.98
Gr 9 Up–In 2012, London hosted not only the Olympics but also the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne of the United Kingdom. This absolutely astonishing retrospective of those years, hosted by BBC News personality Andrew Marr, examines the Queen in her roles both as royalty and family matriarch. BBC had unprecedented access to archival materials as well as a wide variety of historians, journalists, political figures, regular citizens, and many of the Monarch’s closest relatives for 18 months to collect information on defining moments in her reign and her private family relationships. The manner in which Queen Elizabeth has overseen incredible changes in the Commonwealth from the time she suddenly became sovereign as a young mother through the sometimes turbulent economic, social, and political transformations of the last 60 years is emphasized. The film also follows her engagements around the world for more than a year and a half. While most of the interviewees’ comments are overwhelmingly complimentary, tough times such as international disputes and her family’s difficult relationship circumstances are not glossed over. History buffs will be ecstatic over the program’s wealth of vintage film dating back to the only other Diamond Jubilee—that of Queen Victoria in 1897. The video is organized into three episodes with five separately accessible segments within each. An English-language subtitle option and a commemorative archive montage of photographs complete the program which deserves serious consideration for every media collection.–Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL
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