Princess Diana and Marilyn Monroe have always intrigued me. I am interested in their life and love to read books and watch documentaries on them. I think they were both beautiful and glamorous women. I was shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic death of Princess Diana. Even now it’s still hard for me to believe that she is no longer here. Not long after her death I purchased Diana The People’s Princess on VHS tape. I have watched it several times and am keeping it in my videotape and DVD collection.

At the start of the tape it says ”Diana was the most loved and admired woman on Earth”. It said ”This is Diana’s story – a story of suffering & achievement, love & loss, and tradition & change.” It also says that Diana was ”the most famous and photographed person of all time”.

The Story:

A billion people watched on July 29, 1981 as Diana married Prince Charles. He was twelve years older than she was. She was a kindergarten teacher who came from a good family. There is an interview of Diana in her younger years as she talks about teaching. Diana was very much in love with Charles, but he did not feel the same. His true love was Camilla Parker Bowles. There is an interview of Charles and Diana in their early days together. In June 1982 William was born and then Harry was born in September 1984. She raised her children different from the Royal Family, who are often cold and distant.

The tape touched on her childhood. When Diana was 6 her mother left and it left a big impact on Diana. Emotionally she suffered and had a problem with bulimia. Diana sought relief in exercise and spirituality. Charles openly admitted to an affair with Camilla. Charles and Diana separated and eventually divorced on July 15, 1996.

Diana began a new life. The public mostly was on Diana’s side and felt that the Royal Family had wronged her. Many were upset that she lost HRH status and was no longer considered a member of the Royal Family. When she lost HRH status she lost use of the Royal bodyguards. Her divorce changed the direction of her charity work. She decided to limit her support to a few causes that touched her heart. She was an advocate for those who suffered from AIDS, cancer, leprosy and homelessness. She also had a spot in her heart for sick children.

The Red Cross used Diana to bring the world’s attention to landmines. She went to Bosnia to work for the landmine cause. There is an interview with Diana talking about the landmines and clips of her with some victims. Diana was happiest spending time with her two boys. The press hounded Diana all of the time. She couldn’t even take a personal vacation without attention from them. She was hunted down. Her affair with Dodi Al Fayed only made the press worse.

August 31, 1997 Diana was involved in a fatal car crash. There is an interview with British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. He was distressed over the report of her accident. It showed a picture of the car that was crumpled. There is footage of Charles and Diana’s sisters as they re-covered Diana’s body. Her body lay in state at St. James Place. Finally the Buckingham flag flew at half-mast. The funeral was a week after her death and over 2 billion people worldwide watched.

You can hear the cries of the people as the hearse rolls by. People threw flowers at the car carrying her casket. Mourners from around the world sent flowers. Her brother, Earl Spencer, did a moving job with the eulogy. It was discussed on this tape. Diana’s body now lies in an island set in a lake. In life she wanted to be known as ”The Queen of Hearts”. In death she has that title forever. The tape ends with pictures of her final resting music with soft music playing.

Interviews:

~ a few clips of Diana talking
~ Penny Thornton
~ Michael Cole
~ Lord Archer

Rating: Canadian Home Viewing G Rating
Running Time: 50 Minutes

My Thoughts:

Each time I have watched this tape I have really enjoyed it and it makes me sad as well. There are various pictures of Diana in different times in her life. This tape covers the period in her life between when she got married to Charles and her death. I loved seeing all of the footage of Diana and the times that she talked were very interesting to watch. I just wish there had been more footage of Diana as she was interviewed. This tape was 50 minutes in length, but the actual time of her talking was maybe a few minutes.

I think Diana was one of the most influential people of her time. She was loved and adored by so many. Her tragic death left the world in mourning. There will never be another person who can replace her. I loved the way she wanted to help other people. Helping those who were hurting was her cause. She began working for the AIDS cause long before it was acceptable. Many times you will see Royals wearing their white clothes and seeming to be on a different level than an average person. Diana seemed to down to earth. She didn’t wear the white gloves. She touched a leper’s hands. She picked up sick children. She gave comfort to those who needed it.

Diana is still very much loved and sadly missed.

Related Reviews:

A Royal Duty (written by Diana's butler)


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8