As a film enthusiast with a soft spot for documentaries that delve deep into unique friendships and transformative stories, “The Cowboy and the Queen” has truly captured my heart. The life experiences of Monty Roberts and Queen Elizabeth II, two individuals from seemingly disparate worlds, intertwining in such a profound manner is nothing short of extraordinary.
In “The Cowboy and the Queen,” filmmaker Andrea Nevins tells the story of Monty Roberts, a horse trainer from California whose peaceful training techniques were noticed by the late Queen Elizabeth II. The documentary explores how the Queen supported Roberts’ unconventional yet compassionate methods for horse training in 1989, which ultimately changed the way horses are trained around the world.
At first, Nevins aimed to create a documentary focusing on the Queen and her endeavors in breeding her well-known pack of Corgis – a type of short-legged dog originally from Wales. During her reign, it’s believed that the Queen had around 30 Corgis and Dorgis (Corgi crossbreeds) under her care.
“Nevins muses that speaking with some of the women who assisted in Queen Elizabeth II’s breeding process could offer an intriguing perspective on a unique aspect of her life where the diligent queen might experience enjoyment and control, despite her highly restricted circumstances.”
However, it soon became apparent to the director that almost all of the late queen’s Corgi breeders and experts had passed away. During this investigative stage of the project in 2020, Nevins stumbled upon Roberts, an 85-year-old cowboy from California who had been advising the Queen on her renowned horse collection for more than three decades.
“Nevins shares that after an entire day of interviewing Monty amidst the COVID pandemic, he learned about Monty’s extraordinary friendship with Queen Elizabeth. This tale, filled with Monty’s account of his California upbringing during WWII and the Queen’s parallel experiences, sparked a profound connection between them – both having pledged to convert their war traumas into kindness for not just horses but also humans. Enchanted by their bond and shared aspirations, Nevins felt inspired to create a documentary around this captivating story.”
In the movie, Nevins employs historical recordings such as old movies and photos stored by Roberts in his garage and on his vast ranch, to narrate the tale of their unanticipated bond.
“Nevins shares that we managed to discover a wealth of stunning images spanning the Queen’s 96-year lifespan and her 70-year reign, as well as unseen footage of Monty interacting with the Queen while training her horses. When I stumbled upon that footage, I was immediately captivated and decided to create this movie.”
In May, the documentary “The Cowboy and the Queen” was honored with a nomination for the prestigious Humanitas Prize and was selected to be screened at several international film festivals, including the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Berkshire International Film Festival, and Boulder International Film Festival.
As a lifelong documentary enthusiast, I am thrilled to learn that Masterclass will be streaming three documentaries this year. Having grown up with a strong interest in storytelling and visual arts, I have always appreciated the unique perspectives and insights that documentaries provide. The upcoming releases, such as “The Cowboy and the Queen,” JR’s “Tehachapi” and Bess Kargman’s “Diane Warren: Relentless,” promise to offer engaging narratives that will undoubtedly captivate audiences. I eagerly anticipate these documentaries and the valuable lessons they will bring, as I continue my journey of lifelong learning and personal growth through the art of storytelling.
“The Cowboy and the Queen” will begin streaming on Masterclass on Sept. 12.
Watch an exclusive clip from the doc here:
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2024-08-21 20:47