Wikipedia Summary of Release

• Originally given a 15 rating by the BBFC
• Due to scenes where Logue encourages the King to shout profanities to relieve stress
• Salt and Casino Royale both include torture scenes yet are 12As 
• Following Hooper's criticism the board lowered the rating to a 12A
• Motion Picture Association of America gave the film an R rating - have to be 17 or accompanied by an adult
• Harvey Weinstein, the producer, said he was considering having the film re-edited to remove some of the profanity, so that it would receive a lower classification and reach a larger audience 
• Tom Hooper refused to cute the film although he considered covering the swear words with bleeps 
• Helena Bonham Carter also defended the film saying the film is not violent and is full of humanity and wit 
• Firth noted that the context of the use wasn't offensive 
• An alternate version with the profanities muted out of the soundtrack was classified PG-13 by the MPAA, this version will be released to theatres across the US, replacing the R-rated cut. 
• Distributed by Transmission in Australia, Momentum Pictures in the UK, the Weinstein Company in North America 

Guardian Article Extract

(TheGuardian) has often had cause to quote the "10% rule", which suggests that the UK gross of a film in sterling will usually be around a 10th of the US figure in dollars.

The King's Speech

Guardian > Film > Culture > The King's Speech

Click here for full Guardian article 

• Distributed by Momentum Pictures 
• £3.52 million opening weekend
• Slumdog Millionaire £1.83 million 
• The UK film council financially backed the King's Speech
• Funded by 6 independent financial bodies as opposed to large studies e.g. Universal - lacked brand recognition 

Key to making a film a success: 

• Marathon publicity 
• Strong critical support
• Bold positioning by distributors 

Issues in the British Film Industry