Analysis of “The Kings Speech”

Comparing both Text 1: The King’s speech film posters and Text 2: The king’s real speech, it is clear to see that the two different kinds of text both centered on the same topic; King George VI’s first official speech on the 3rd of September 1939. They are also both centered on King George’s famous speech defect and how it affected and caused him a lot of trouble both in being the king and in his personal life. As text 1 are posters printed to promote the movie, The King’s Speech, a drama film about King George, which is actually based on text 2, the original speech given by the king in 1939.

Although the two texts are more or less about the same subject, the way they approach their audience is very different. First of all, Text 1 aims more generally at older and historical-interested people, but also at those who would be interested in King George VI or the actors involved. Where text 2 was broadcasted all over Britain, to reach the whole of the British Empire, soldiers and families. However, their difference in audience, the one thing they do have in common is that both text 1 and 2 are trying to reach as many people as possible, they aims are both to get as many as they can interested and involved.

Also the purposes of why they are trying to approach people differ. King George’s speech’s purpose is purely to try and comfort, inspire and inform his people about the upcoming war. Whereas if we take a look at text 2 – the contrast between the black suits and the greyish background catching people’s eye, the serious looks on well known faces of the actors, it is clear that the purpose of these posters is to attracted and interest people. To make them want to see ‘The King’s Speech”, so that they can earn money of it. So even though both texts have the same historic topic, it is important to remember that the film’s purpose was possibly to inform but most likely also to make money whereas the speech’s purpose was to inspire and inform.

When looking at the poster, big words such as majestic, exquisite, and the phrase “god save the king” in capital letters are what we notice when taking a quick glance at the posters. Creating a serious and very formal tone, as that kind of ‘dress code’ and also words are not used daily. The same seriousness and formality is clearly reflected in text 2, when listening to the original recording of the speech, you can hear how the king is using words for example as fateful, depth of feeling, stand calm and firm and united, and security, of justice and liberty. Even though the film was made over 70 years later, they are both build up around the same solemnity.

So all in all, though the posters from ‘The King’s Speech’ and the original King George VI’s speech may share the same core elements, their difference in audience, purpose and tone makes them two far from similar texts. However, they are both great opportunities to find inspiration and