Rent Edward and Mrs. Simpson (1978)

Sympathetic Telling of an Otherwise Unsuitable King - Edward and Mrs. Simpson review by CV

Made in 1978, the quality of this series is excellent in every way not least its visual quality. I think I remember seeing this in 1986 (50 year anniversary of the abdication) on an early colour TV and now appreciate the difference in quality on disc.

Of course it's a different era and the king has to choose between duty to the country (empire, in fact) or romance which is frowned upon by both the upper class - because Mrs Simpson is American, and the lower classes, as Mrs Simpson has been divorced twice and this is not what is expected of royalty to set as an example. This drama, which it essentially is, where Edward is at variance with Stanley Baldwin and his government, is sympathetic to the heart's desire of the king and promotes him as a kind of martyr to love where he sacrifices the crown for his marriage to Mrs Simpson. Apart from his personal struggle owing to his unpopular choice of wife, other historical opinions describe Edward as a man who refused to grow up, a slave to popularity, and having an unhealthy admiration for strong man dictators of the time, Mussolini and Hitler, which would have made him unsuitable as a King and Emperor anyway.

Brilliantly cast, superbly acted and captivating dialogue: and made by ATV - who said BBC had the monopoly on quality period dramas!