New Netflix release ‘The Crown’ humanizes, tells tale of Queen Elizabeth II

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‘The Crown’ portrays the journey of a young Queen Elizabeth II as she navigates through her first years as the Queen of England.

As if Netflix couldn’t monopolize the media industry enough, the streaming service released a $100 million project that is worth every penny.

“The Crown,” released Nov. 4, follows the journey of Queen Elizabeth II in her 20s and the people pertinent in her life during her first years as the Queen of England.

From the writer of Golden Globe and BAFTA Winner, “The Queen,” Peter Morgan has done it again. Through the intricate storytelling, “The Crown” cleverly includes notable public figures such as Winston Churchill and King George VI.

Expecting to see Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy) in the opening scene was just one of the ways that “The Crown” showed differentiation. Instead, the first of ten episodes opens with King George VI coughing up blood before attending the ceremony of Elizabeth’s husband, Prince Philip’s renunciation of his Greek nationality. Already audience members can tell that the show will stick closely to the historical series of the British Monarchy and government of England during the ‘50s.

However, it is the story that history books don’t have access to where “The Crown” exceeds any expectations put forth from the beginning of episode one.

It is the story of Queen Elizabeth’s relationship to her father, her husband and her sister. It is the story of Churchill and his inner struggle to accept and acknowledge the people questioning his ability to lead. These stories are personal and make “The Crown” brilliant.

Claire Foy captures the humility, humanity and sovereign beauty of what Elizabeth II was deemed like in her young years. Nevertheless, the success of the show cannot solely be placed at the feet of one leading actress.

Matt Smith portrays Prince Philip in all his forms — loving, cheeky and obnoxiously traditional. John Lithgow, who plays Winston Churchill, gives an astounding performance of a strong man who was tested and tried not only by his country but by those closest to him.

Finally, the story of Elizabeth’s sister, Princess Margaret (Vanessa Kirby) was one for the heart.

“The Crown,” may focus on the lives of rich and powerful people, yet it successfully addresses common experiences of love, loss, family, friendship, loyalty, honesty and truth.

It is a show for the history buff to enjoy, the anglophile and the college kid who wants to find another grade-A show instead of finishing a paper.

The cinematography, design of opening credits, costumes, writing, acting, and Hans Zimmer’s score in the background create a worthy show.

You will cheer and cry for Queen Elizabeth II in her battle to live as two people in one body. But as the main theme of the show alludes, “The crown must always win.”