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The real fear of foreigners and anarchists comes to the fore in this portrayal of an attempt on the life of King George V. Two other films, The King's Peril and The Aerial Anarchists (both 1911 and coinciding with the coronation of George V), were to portray similar events. Once again Lt Rose comes to the rescue.
The film's plot clearly reflects actual events. There were a number of attempts by anarchists on the lives of leading international figures at the time (although not on George V). A French and American President had been assassinated, and Princess Ena, Queen Victoria's youngest grandchild, had an anarchist's bomb thrown at her wedding carriage in 1906. The letter shown to Rose describes an influx of "aliens of an anarchist type", presumably all wearing false beards and acting suspiciously. Such letters were often sent to newspapers and published and sent to the fledgling secret service MI6. Emphasising the fact that these anarchists are foreigners is the reference to one of their number being called Johann.
Simon Baker
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Complete film (14:24)
