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Elizabeth: A Portrait in Part(s) review – surprisingly playful documentary about the Queen
The late Roger Michell’s film portrait of the Queen combines archive footage with a welcome sense of mischief
There is unlikely to be a shortage of craven, forelock-tugging tributes to HM in the coming weeks, but for a fresh perspective on the Queen, this peppy, playful archival assemblage by the late Roger Michell will be the one to see. A royal documentary that is dangerously close to being a fun watch, the film has something of the maverick, eclectic spirit of Julien Temple’s London: The Modern Babylon – Michell cuts from footage of Her Majesty trooping the colour to a dramatic reconstruction of the Charge of the Light Brigade.
While not quite treasonous in its editing choices, there is a certain degree of affectionate mischief at play. The “parts” of the title are breezily captioned chapters, through which Michell explores the continuity in the role of Britain’s monarch, and the ways in which it has drastically changed. Although it may not bring revelations, there’s an informality and intimacy to this portrait that is unexpectedly pleasing.
In cinemas now and on Amazon Prime from 1 June
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