I like to say that the best movie soundtrack is the one you didn’t realize was there – the music subtly intertwines with the story, toys with your emotions and enhances the mood, all just along the fringe of your conscious mind. But there’s a scene in “The King’s Speech” where I suspect I’m not alone in noticing that the symmetry between scene and sound briefly brought the music to center stage.
I’m talking about the climactic scene toward the end, in which the newly-coronated King George VI, who has suffered from a near-lifelong stuttering problem, must address his nation for the first time – shortly after England declared war on Nazi Germany. Having watched him struggle throughout most of the film, the audience (both in the theatre and in the film) holds its breath as King George steps to the microphone. Speech therapist Lionel Logue, seen through the microphone from George’s perspective, reminds him to breathe deeply. For a good 12 to 15 seconds there is silence as George struggles to find his voice, then the first dark chords of Beethoven’s 7th Symphony, 2nd Movement are heard. From then, George’s reading synchs beautifully with the rising and falling of the violins, and as he calls for resolve and courage on the eve of what will be a difficult war, the music continues to build, along with the confidence of his speech.
The fit between the music and the story, the visual editing, and the topic of the speech itself are remarkable. I am always impressed when a filmmaker finds the “right” music for a scene – but this is the best I’ve seen in a long time. And the best part? Public domain! Makes things so much simpler…
Of course, this may all be old news to everyone else, who probably saw the film weeks ago. But we only just got it in Europe! As an aside, check out this cool video made with Beethoven’s 7th, in which the creator visually depicted the music, “midi style”.
