Product Description

A regular guy from america becomes king of england after a royal wipeout puts him next in line. Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 03/02/2004 Starring: John Goodman John Hurt Run time: 97 minutes Rating: Pg Director: David S. Ward

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9747 in DVD
• Brand: Universal Studios
• Released on: 2004-03-02
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 97 minutes

Amazon.com
David Ward made his reputation on his original screenplay to The Sting, but his career as a director has been built on lightweight comedies filled with generous spirit and slight aspirations. King Ralph delivers on that level. After a freak accident kills every immediate member of the British royal family, a search of the royal bloodline uncovers an unlikely candidate: portly Vegas lounge singer John Goodman. How will this gauche, exuberant, red-blooded American mix with the haughty aristocratic bluebloods? Blustery, big-hearted Goodman brings the common touch to the palace with the enthusiastic spirit of a beer-guzzling, burger-eating American everyman who hammers out a mean rock & roll piano--even at official functions. John Hurt plays his conniving rival, an overlooked lord who plots his demise, while Peter O'Toole brings quiet dignity to his role as the King's private secretary and unofficial guide through the maze of etiquette and diplomacy. Ward brings a distinctly American sensibility to the British setting-- this is definitely slapstick over satire and Goodman is a veritable bull in the royal china shop. It's a modest underdog comedy in which white hats and black hats are pretty rigidly defined, but Goodman brings a working-class dignity to the role. Watch for Joely Richardson in a hilarious turn as a throaty foreign princess who puts the moves on Goodman. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews

Goodman Sells A Spectacular Performance!
HM King Ralph is an exceptionally well done film, and is hilarious footage for the whole family. The movie King Ralph begins with the recent deaths of the entire British Royal Family. Britains then trace back Royal liniage to find that a Casino gambling American (Goodman) is next in line to the British Throne of Whindom. John Goodman brings laughs and spunk into the walls of Buckingham Palace, and an emotional ending leaves you ready to watch it again!

Corny but Fun
Probably the best Jon Goodman movie I have ever seen. The premise is implauable to say the least, but you still manage some pretty descent laughs.

A great movie
A very good movie indeed, but as a Finnish person I find it completely absurd to have the king of England arrange a reception to the royal family of Finland. Why, you ask? Because Finland hasn't got a king! Finland isn't a country of monarchy but a republic. Still they play the Finnish national anthem right. Doesn't make sense to me whatsoever. This might seem like a tiny and pointless detail to you, but I have to wonder why didn't they pick for example Finland's werstern neighbor Sweden instead, which IS a monarchy?

In spite of all this, the movie is really good. Recommended.