DVD : Windsor Castle - A Royal Year

Rating: - A Brilliant Documentaray About the People who Live & Work at Windsor Castle
The 2006 documentary "Windsor Castle-A Royal Year" (called "The Queen's Castle" in Britain where it was released in 2005) is an amazing glimpse into the lives of various people that work, and sometimes live, within the walls of one of the world's few remaining royal residences: Window Castle. With approval from Queen Elizabeth II, no other documentarians have ever been granted such personal access to the castle's staff, its inner workings and the royal family. The three episodes are described below:

1. "The Banquet". This episode focuses on the kitchen staff, the flagman, the people that maintain the artwork, the military knights and the others involved with managing a large state dinner whose planning began six months in advance and was held at Windsor by Queen Elizabeth II and her family for President Chirac of France and his wife, as well as over 300 invited guests. This includes documenting what was an unprecedented setup of a live performance of the musical "Les Miserables" that was performed immediately after the banquet. Staff worker were naturally concerned because it was a hot spotlight that had started the serious fire that severely damaged part of Windor Castle in 1992.

2. "Four Seasons". This episode focuses on the young military knights that guard Windsor Castle and old military personnel that are involved in annual events, including the "Order of the Garter" ceremony that is held each year in June. The prepartions, rehearsals and actual ceremony of the "Order of the Garter" are also shown, as well as an interesting glimpse into the staff of Saint George's chapel who want to improve the chapel's gift shop. Also included is a look at the activies surrounding the famous Royal Ascot horse races, which includes a look at the bookies who take bets on what color the Queen's hat will be each day, as well as the race that included one of the Queen's horses. The episode ends with the staff, in December, singing Christmas carols to the Queen, who comes outside to listen to them and provide them with refreshments.

3. "The Ranger". This fascinating episode focuses on the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, who is also the Ranger that manages the vast estate upon which Windor Castle is located. He describes various areas of the estate and how they have been used, they're history and how they have been changed over the years. Also included is a look at Cartier International Day, which is the biggest day on the British polo calendar, which includes Prince Harry who leads the British polo team against a team from South America.

Overall, I rate the documentary "Windsor Castle-A Royal Year" with a resounding 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it. The wonderful DVD set includes an additional 132 minutes (over 2 hours) of footage that was not aired on television with the three episodes.

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Rating: - One of the best!
This is an incredible DVD of the Royal Family. They take you through the castle, watching the kitchen staff prepare meals, watching the cleaning people do their work, and so much more. All in all a very satisfying and entertaining DVD for the Royal watchers!

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Rating: - Winsor Castle -A Royal Year
If anyone is interested in English history and how a large castle is run this is a very good film to watch,It really shows how it is done.

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Rating: - Winsor Castle - A Royal Year
Excellent documentary. Good content, pacing, commentary, and nice background music. Well done.

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Rating: - Faithful retainers are a tribute to their employer
This is a wonderful treat for anyone who is interested in history, castles, or the Royal family. I particularly enjoyed the variety of roles that are necessary to keep this castle/home running, and the pride the workers exhibit in carrying out their duties. Who can forget that the royal clock changer got lost and that it takes him all weekend to change all the dials? I, like many, would dearly love to toil in the Queen's library. Anyone interested in books, art, antiques, textiles, horses, history, protocol, or the workings of a busy and engaged head of state, will watch this offering over and over. I know that my daughter will enjoy the copy she will receive this Christmas.

[This year at Windsor Castle included the formal blessing of the next king and his new wife in the historic chapel of St. George. I appreciated this inclusion, and how beautiful the new Princess looked in her lovely (and appropriate) Valentine Robinson gown. This is not the time or place to discuss the less than stellar antics of the (arguably) mentally ill first wife.]

I admire the good works that this family engages in, and can only imagine how difficult it must be for them to live their lives in a critical fish bowl. I do not find them the least bit "ridiculous." And, I love this series of their workaday lives.