Claire Foy stars as Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix's most expensive original series to date, which follows Elizabeth from her marriage to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (Matt Smith), and her ascension to the throne in 1952 at the age of 25 up through her rapid learning curve over the decade. The Crown was created and written by Peter Morgan, who earned an Oscar nomination for his screenplay for The Queen (which was also about Queen Elizabeth), and he builds episodes around key moments in history for both Elizabeth and her country. The title cuts to the heart of the matter: it's about the woman who takes the crown but ultimately it is also about service and the sacrifices made to preserve a position of authority and symbolism. It's also a portrait of a post-war England that is still in the hands of old men governing the country but faced with a young royal couple who have more modern ideas. The tension between tradition and modernity, public appearances and private lives, is central to this drama—a sweeping, grand, handsome, and intelligent show that is also one of the best historical British series ever made. Compiling all 10 episodes from the 2016 first season, extras include a photo gallery. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (S. Axmaker)
The Crown: The Complete First Season
Sony, 4 discs, 599 min., not rated, DVD: $45.99, Blu-ray: $55.99 Volume 33, Issue 1
The Crown: The Complete First Season
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