Product Details

• Actors: John Goodman, Peter O'Toole, John Hurt, Camille Coduri, Richard Griffiths
• Directors: David S. Ward
• Writers: David S. Ward, Emlyn Williams
• Producers: Jack Brodsky, John Comfort, Julie Bergman Sender, Mark Rosenberg, Sydney Pollack
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Universal Studios
• VHS Release Date: March 12, 1992
• Run Time: 97 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302113180
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #36,012 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

David Ward made his reputation on his original screenplay to The Sting, but his career as a director has been built on lightweight comedies filled with generous spirit and slight aspirations. King Ralph delivers on that level. After a freak accident kills every immediate member of the British royal family, a search of the royal bloodline uncovers an unlikely candidate: portly Vegas lounge singer John Goodman. How will this gauche, exuberant, red-blooded American mix with the haughty aristocratic bluebloods? Blustery, big-hearted Goodman brings the common touch to the palace with the enthusiastic spirit of a beer-guzzling, burger-eating American everyman who hammers out a mean rock & roll piano--even at official functions. John Hurt plays his conniving rival, an overlooked lord who plots his demise, while Peter O'Toole brings quiet dignity to his role as the King's private secretary and unofficial guide through the maze of etiquette and diplomacy. Ward brings a distinctly American sensibility to the British setting-- this is definitely slapstick over satire and Goodman is a veritable bull in the royal china shop. It's a modest underdog comedy in which white hats and black hats are pretty rigidly defined, but Goodman brings a working-class dignity to the role. Watch for Joely Richardson in a hilarious turn as a throaty foreign princess who puts the moves on Goodman. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Goodman Sells A Spectacular Performance!, July 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: King Ralph [VHS] (VHS Tape)

HM King Ralph is an exceptionally well done film, and is hilarious footage for the whole family. The movie King Ralph begins with the recent deaths of the entire British Royal Family. Britains then trace back Royal liniage to find that a Casino gambling American (Goodman) is next in line to the British Throne of Whindom. John Goodman brings laughs and spunk into the walls of Buckingham Palace, and an emotional ending leaves you ready to watch it again!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Corny but Fun, March 3, 2002

By	General Pete (SC) - See all my reviews

Probably the best Jon Goodman movie I have ever seen. The premise is implauable to say the least, but you still manage some pretty descent laughs.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great movie, January 21, 2001

By	"psychojazz" (Helsinki, Finland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: King Ralph (DVD)

A very good movie indeed, but as a Finnish person I find it completely absurd to have the king of England arrange a reception to the royal family of Finland. Why, you ask? Because Finland hasn't got a king! Finland isn't a country of monarchy but a republic. Still they play the Finnish national anthem right. Doesn't make sense to me whatsoever. This might seem like a tiny and pointless detail to you, but I have to wonder why didn't they pick for example Finland's werstern neighbor Sweden instead, which IS a monarchy?

In spite of all this, the movie is really good. Recommended.