[ 國王的演說 ]

記得小時候，只要家裡有長輩來訪，就會有種「挫在等」的 FU 由腳底竄上來。是的，想叫人就偏叫不出來，越叫不出來就越急，越急又越叫不出來。我承認，林悲就是「先天語言表達不良症侯群」俗稱口吃的帶原者。所以，口吃者的難為我懂，我真的懂。

這次口吃的主角面對的場面更大、壓力更重，他是聯合王國及其海外治領的國王、愛爾蘭國王、印度皇帝，現任英女王伊莉莎白二世的老爸-喬治六世陛下。

片中，喬治六世克服了口吃的恐懼，對全英國人發表了參戰演說，其於二戰時期的戰時演說，更被認為是凝聚英國人撐過戰亂的精神支柱。其實，這種故事格局我以為沒那麼值得看的，倒是演員演得動人，口吃得好啊！


下面是網路上找到柯林佛斯在 The King's Speech 和喬治六世當年的演說原音比對。稍經修飾，在前半段口音和語調幾乎一個樣。




當然也有很多人質疑本片的精確度，尤其喬治六世口吃的程度。網路上就有這樣的討論，歷史學家 Andrew Roberts 就說了 "his stutter wasn't anything like as bad as the film depicts. In fact, it was relatively mild, and when he was concentrating hard on what he was saying it disappeared altogether"，電影導演 Tom Hooper 也承認擔心反差不夠大而帶不起高潮。

由這支被稱為 King George VI stammering in a 1938 speech 的影片可以來看看喬治六世的症頭輕或重。在 2:53, 3:32 真著實讓人捏把冷汗，其他數不清的停停頓頓就不提了。此演說是發生於1938年在蘇格蘭為帝國博覽會開幕，也就是已經接受 Lionel Logue 治療十多年後的成果了。




最後附上喬治六世1939年第一次戰時演說全文。

"In this grave hour, perhaps the most fateful in our history, I send to every household of my peoples, both at home and overseas, this message, spoken with the same depth of feeling for each one of you as if I were able to cross your threshold and speak to you myself.

For the second time in the lives of most of us we are at war. Over and over again we have tried to find a peaceful way out of the differences between ourselves and those who are now our enemies. But it has been in vain. We have been forced into a conflict. For we are called, with our allies, to meet the challenge of a principle which, if it were to prevail, would be fatal to any civilised order in the world.


It is the principle which permits a state, in the selfish pursuit of power, to disregard its treaties and its solemn pledges; which sanctions the use of force, or threat of force, against the sovereignty and independence of other states. Such a principle, stripped of all disguise, is surely the mere primitive doctrine that might is right; and if this principle were established throughout the world, the freedom of our own country and of the whole British Commonwealth of Nations would be in danger. But far more than this - the peoples of the world would be kept in the bondage of fear, and all hopes of settled peace and of the security of justice and liberty among nations would be ended.


This is the ultimate issue which confronts us. For the sake of all that we ourselves hold dear, and of the world's order and peace, it is unthinkable that we should refuse to meet the challenge. It is to this high purpose that I now call my people at home and my peoples across the seas, who will make our cause their own. I ask them to stand calm, firm, and united in this time of trial. The task will be hard. There may be dark days ahead, and war can no longer be confined to the battlefield. But we can only do the right as we see the right, and reverently commit our cause to God. If one and all we keep resolutely faithful to it, ready for whatever service or sacrifice it may demand, then, with God's help, we shall prevail. May God bless and keep us all"


電影中柯林佛斯好像沒唸到最後一句。