Analysis Of The King's Speech

Introduction
The chosen scene is the opening scene of The King’s speech. A scene in which the main character is to make his first public speech, at an outside stadium, whilst it being broadcasted on the radio. With the sound of a soft wind, stammer from the main character and a recurring static from the microphone the tone has been set for the scene. A tone of discomfort. Purpose
The purpose of this analysis is to examine the sound used and created for the first scene of The King’s speech. A scene in which sound has been used to create a complex feeling of embarrassment and slight discomfort for both the fictional characters as well as the audience.
Bringing a deeper understanding of the cinematic sound and a stepping stone for the film’s narration.

Questions
What do they want to tell the audience with the sound and what do they want to emphasize by using it?

How do they do it?

What does the sound bring to the story?

Discussion
The first thing heard is soft, non-diegetic string music playing, while the main character, The Duke of York, prepares to go up the stairs to the outside stadium in which he will for the first time address the nation live on radio. As one can hear the soles of his shoes make contact with the concrete steps, clinkering of a piano join the non-diegetic chamber orchestra.

One could assume that the steps were made by a foley artist and were later placed in sync with the image during the post production.

There is a heaviness to his steps