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The Lost King

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02:31

The Lost King

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• Comedy
• Drama

• 2022
• Stephen Frears
• 107 mins
• 12A

Summary

In 2012, Edinburgh-based amateur historian Philippa Langley is sharing custody of her two sons with ex-husband, John. A local theatre production of Richard III sows the seeds of an obsession with the Plantagenet king. Later, a chance encounter with historian John Ashdown-Hill bolsters Philippa's resolve to pinpoint Richard III's resting place, and her research leads to a Leicester city council car park. Director Stephen Frears' fact-based comedy drama, starring Sally Hawkins, Steve Coogan (who co-wrote the screenplay), Harry Lloyd and Mark Addy

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IMDB

Review

A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Terry Staunton

An amateur historian's determination to find the burial site of Richard III and restore the much maligned king's reputation makes for an affectionate if lightweight comedy drama, based on true events. Sally Hawkins plays lonely divorcee Philippa Langley, whose obsession with the monarch (and the image painted of him in Shakespeare's play) puts more pressure on her relationship with her ex-husband (Steve Coogan), and leads her to a car park in Leicester and confrontations with naysayer academics and obstructive council officials. Based on Langley's 2013 book and with a screenplay co-written by Coogan, the film is part detective story, part mid-life crisis drama. Director Stephen Frears's camera lingers long on the impressive Hawkins's harried expressions as she struggles to overcome obstacles in both her quest and her home life. And Philippa's conversations with an apparition of Richard (played by Harry Lloyd) bring a modicum of heart and warmth to the story.

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6.7/10

How to watch

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Streaming

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• Sky Store

Credits

Cast

rolenamePhilippa LangleySally HawkinsRichard BuckleyMark AddyJohn LangleySteve CooganRichard III / PeteHarry LloydAwusiHelen KatambaJohn Ashdown-HillJames Fleet

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Crew

rolenameDirectorStephen Frears

Details

Theatrical distributor

Pathe

Released on

2022-10-07

Languages

English

Guidance

Swearing, discriminatory language.

Available on

DVD

Formats

Colour

News & features about The Lost King

• 
  
  Is The Lost King based on a true story?
  
  Steve Coogan, Stephen Frears and Philippa Langley spoke to RadioTimes.com about the new film.

• 
  
  Steve Coogan explains why The Lost King includes Richard III character
  
  Harry Lloyd plays the 15th Century monarch in the new film.

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• 
  
  The Lost King trailer gives look at Sally Hawkins in incredible true story
  
  The film tells the remarkable true story of how an ordinary woman discovered the long-lost remains of King Richard III in a Leicester car park.

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  I, Jack Wright cast: Nikki Amuka-Bird and John Simm star
  
  The drama, which is now arriving on the BBC, comes from Unforgotten creator Chris Lang.

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  The Iris Affair cast: Niamh Algar and Tom Hollander star
  
  Harry Lloyd and Sacha Dhawan are also amongst those playing major roles in the Sky thriller series.

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  Shetland season 10: Release date and latest news
  
  Everything you need to know.

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  Shetland reveals new season 9 pics as Mr Bates star joins guest cast
  
  Ashley Jensen and Alison O'Donnell return for a story that hits close to home for Tosh.

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