The Crown

[naomi24]

As a newcomer to Netflix I'm late on parade with this, but having now watched the whole of the first three series I can solemnly declare that the whole thing was excellent. I wonder, however, how much of it, albeit dramatized, was close to the truth?

Your thoughts?

[bednobs]

i think it was great. I much preferred series 1&2 to 3

[-SharonA-]

I would have thought most of it true, otherwise Her Maj would have objected.
https://people.com/royals/the-crown-historically-accurate-netflix/

I didn't agree with the smog story as I can recall the smog in London until 1958.

[naomi24]

Sharon. I think the palace has objected now. I read somewhere that the writer had been summoned and hence there will be no more after series 5. I think that takes it to about 2010.

[ludwig]

I've never had a great deal of interest in the royal family, but I really enjoyed watching this as a drama series.

I don't think it would be particularly accurate though, beyond the known facts of what happened and when.

[ladybirder]

Oh good. Thanks for this. I've been looking for something to watch while I'm housebound. I shall give it a go.

[237SJ]

@22:44 I think the smog story is true as I remember my Mum telling me about how she tried to get home from work one night and she came out of the Tube and couldn't see her hand in front of her. Apparently, a man ( a total stranger) could see that she was lost and he guided her back to her road. She never did find out who he was but she never forgot him.

[Ken4155]

I'll begin by saying I've also really enjoyed all 3 series so far. As to just how near the mark it is? I have no doubt that the researchers will have given due diligence to all the events covered and will have read all available newspaper reports on the Royal Family's reactions to these events. Then, of course, they will have filled in the blanks with poetic licence.
As for the palace summoning the writer, Naomi, all I can find on Google is that the Queen was left "sad and annoyed" at the scene in series 2 where Phillip insists that Charles be sent to Gordonstoun. She believes the scene portrays Phillip as insensitive to his son's discomfort.

[Ken4155]

^
Which, when you see her response to the Aberfan disaster, is a tad weird. So the fact that she apparently didn't object to the scene where she says something like, "I don't visit disasters" (or whatever her words were) could mean that the scene was true to life. Which would make her rather insensitive, imho.

[Rosie29]

I so agree with you Naomi. I was particularly doubtful in series 3 with conversation between the Queen and Prince P which seemed to be of importance and I think we could not possibly know about. Also the implication that Princess M wanted more power and recognition.

[Ken4155]

I didn't see it as Princess Margaret wanting more power. I think she just wanted to be more involved. To have more Royal duties. The fact that she wasn't employed full time, as it were, was no doubt the reason for her numerous stays on Mustique and other such places. I actually felt quite sorry for her and it's just a pity she didn't have the guts of Prince Harry and break away from 'The Firm' in order to find true happiness.

[Rosie29]

Ken - yes it was a far more sympathetic portrayal of her than in some other portrayals. I was particular surprised by the rather cruel habit of A A Jones leaving nasty notes around for her to find. I suppose that has been substantiated.

[andres]

I detest these so called factual dramas.I don't see how anyone other than the people who were actually there and taking part could possibly know just what was said or done. I prefer fiction any day.

[Peter Pedant]

ah but what is truth ( NT Pilate I think - no answer as it was end of chapter)

I thought that the series had been cut short NOT by royal command but that the third series was not a good seller

the kings peumonectomy was sort of true - Clarence Thomas used to take out lungs and say "You're cured!" and the gratefu; patient danced home and died. they didnt have the scene where CT says Mr Smith his doughty houseman " Mr SMith will you suture the chest?"
and mr Smith protests " Sir, this is the King!"
CT replies - I havent sutured a chest for 20 y and I have no intention of practising on the King of England.

The crown series adviser was an MP 1956 then and advised against the Suez adventure ( a 'camel') and was slung out of the cabinet and party
https://www.jstor.org/stable/1978300?seq=1

Dorothy MacMillan ( "I am a one-man woman" but not Mac - Lord Boothby who er fancied men more than Dodo. Friend of the Krays) is rather sympathetically portrayed.

I think I have written this before

Mac loses his job - because he has a prostate operation and the people of England believe that this is caused by satyriasis. That is where a mature man madly and immoderately chases young ladies and er kisses them

Yup and I think Aberfan was true - the Queen didnt do disasters because she cdnt get to everyone SOOOOOOO - - - there wd be queenie disasters and 'others' ( not enough dead kids) and they didnt want to get into that bidding war