DAVID ADAMS watches ‘The Lost King’…
The Lost King (AU – M/UK – 12A/US – PG-13)
In a Word: Exhilarating
Sally Hawkins plays Philippa Langley and Harry Lloyd King Richard III in ‘The Lost King’.
It was one of the most startling archaeological finds of the new millennium, if not of the past 150 years. The 2012 discovery of the body of controversial King Richard III, lying beneath a carpark in the English city of Leicester made headlines all around the world not just for the find itself, but for the remarkable story that led to its discovery.
The Lost King tells that story from the perspective of one of the key protagonists, amateur historian Philippa Langley (played by Sally Hawkins) whose research and tenacious belief led archaeologists right to where ‘R’ marked the spot of the one-time king’s repose.
“The Lost King tells that story from the perspective of one of the key protagonists, amateur historian Philippa Langley (played by Sally Hawkins) whose research and tenacious belief led archaeologists right to where ‘R’ marked the spot of the one-time king’s repose. “
Disenchanted with her work and struggling with a medical condition known as ME, Langley, who lives in Edinburgh, attends a performance of Shakespeares’ Richard III. Responding to what she feels is an unfair portrayal of the king, she becomes increasingly obsessed with Richard III’s final resting place and meet with the Richard III Society, known as ‘Ricardians’.
Increasingly haunted by visions of the long-dead king (played by Harry Lloyd, who also plays the actor she saw in the role of King Richard III), she spends her time researching his possible final resting place, investigating the competing claims that following his death at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 his body was either thrown into the River Soar or buried beneath the church of the long-demolished Greyfriars Franciscan Priory.
Her investigations lead to her to Leicester where, with the support of estranged husband John (Steve Coogan, who also co-wrote the film with Jeff Pope), she manages to convince University of Leicester archaeologist Richard Buckley (Mark Addy) to undertake a dig (and spends much of her time subsequently trying to raise money for it). The rest is, of course, history.
This is very much Philippa’s story (following her find, Langley co-authored a book about her quest originally titled The King’s Grave: The Search for Richard III). In the film, the university administration – personified in the character of Richard Taylor (Lee Ingleby) – don’t come off looking very good as they at first ridicule her and then attempt to steal her glory. And while Buckley’s character is portrayed as more sympathetic, his efforts to see her properly honoured are ignored.
The film is well cast – particularly Hawkins in the role of Langley – and director Stephen Frear makes the most of Richard III’s spectral appearances to convey a building sense of the depth of Langley’s obsession with his fate.
A fascinating retelling of some extraordinary events. Yet, while Langley’s quest has laid to bed the mystery of King Richard III’s final resting place (and ensured he was given his due on the Royal Family’s website as well as answering some questions about his physical appearance), the controversy and debate over the king and his reign – particularly with regard to the fate of his two nephews, the “Princes in the Tower” – will no doubt continue.
‘The Lost King’ opens at cinemas on 26th December.
