With only minutes left before I had to make a decision on whether I go to the cinema or not last night I chose in the affirmative and went, cap in hand to watch the latest film on the life of Queen Victoria.

Although I had seen the trailer for the film a few weeks previous I still wasn’t certain if it was a film I wanted to see, purely based on the fact that I couldn’t see another film beating Mr Brown (Judi Dench and Billy Connolly). I really loved that film; full of honest acting and great characters. If you were looking for another option then why not check out Victoria Regina made in 1937 and starred Helen Hayes as the Queen.

Emily Blunt with co-star Rupert Friend in a scene from The Young Victoria

We arrived at the cinema and made our way to the cinema of the Gods (right at the very top floor of the cinema but I don’t think any Gods were present last night!) minus popcorn and diet coke and nibbles (although I did smuggle in a bottle of energy drink, naughty me!).

Despite the poor audio and the framing not quite right, the film was charming and was over before you knew it. It did what it said on the tin and despite a few “poet licence” moments from Julian Fellowes it was a lovely film. I can rest easy that Mr Brown remains the top Victorian film despite “Young Victoria” trying her best to win the race.

I have always enjoyed films that make you want to know more as soon as you leave the cinema, Changeling with Angelina Jolie is a recent example of that and Young Victoria certainly joined the stable of further knowledge required! I couldn’t wait until we arrived home to check out whether Prince Albert did in fact receive an injury while protecting his beloved Victoria.

For those interested, it turns out that there is no proof that he was shot while out in the horse drawn carriage when Edward Oxford raised both pistols and aimed them at the monarch.  It was June 1840 and despite the assassination attempt Edward Oxford was deemed insane and let off!