Watch The Queen and the Coup

The Queen and the Coup is a 2020 British documentary film that takes us back in time to the 1951 Iranian coup d'état that overthrew the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh and re-installed the Shah. In this insightful and thought-provoking documentary, the filmmakers provide viewers with a unique insider's perspective of the events that led to this historic overthrow.

The main protagonist of the documentary is the British monarch Queen Elizabeth II, who is portrayed in a vivid and captivating manner by actress Caroline Catz. The film explores the role of the British monarchy during the coup and the delicate balance that the Queen had to maintain between her role as a constitutional monarch and her ties to her government.

The story is told through the eyes of the Queen's personal advisor, Sir William Deakin, who is played with great poise and sensitivity by Rory Cormac. Deakin witnessed the coup first hand as he was deployed to Tehran as a British intelligence officer to help smooth relations between the British embassy and the Iranian government. It is through Deakin's eyes that we see the events leading up to the coup and the key players involved.

As the coup unfolds, we see how the British intelligence services and the American CIA work together to plot the downfall of Prime Minister Mosaddegh. Richard J. Aldrich, an expert in intelligence and security, provides insightful commentary throughout the film, helping to put the coup in a wider historical perspective.

The documentary delves into the complex relationships between the British government, the Iranian government, and foreign oil companies. It explores the deep seated economic and political tensions between Iran and Britain as the latter vied for control over Iran's vast oil reserves. It is these tensions that set the scene for the coup and the eventual collapse of Iran's democratic process.

The Queen and the Coup is a rich and thought-provoking documentary that challenges viewers to think more deeply about the role of the monarchy and the British government in the wider world. It highlights the often-complicated tensions between democracy and imperialism, and the price paid by countries caught in the crossfire between global powers.

In conclusion, The Queen and the Coup is a must-see documentary for anyone interested in modern history, British politics, and international relations. It provides viewers with an insightful and nuanced look at a critical moment in history and makes us question our assumptions about power and democracy.

The Queen and the Coup is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 46 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.