Rush film highlight of UK fest

A FILM about an Australian speech therapist's relationship with King George VI, starring Geoffrey Rush and Colin Firth, will be one of the highlights of the London Film Festival.

The King's Speech is an Australian/British co-production about an eccentric and forthright Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Rush), who helped the future king of England, Prince Albert (Firth), to overcome his nervous stammer.

As the second son of King George V, Prince Albert was not expected to inherit the throne, and his speech impediment made public speaking an ordeal.

When his older brother Edward abdicated the throne in 1936, Prince Albert was left to succeed and lead England into war.

Where many physicians and therapists failed, Lionel's unconventional methods and friendship produced results.

Directed by Tom Hooper, the film was written by David Seidler based largely on Logue's unpublished papers, records and diary entries.

The uplifting historical drama generated Oscar buzz at its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival in the US earlier this month.

Deadline Hollywood raved: "Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush are sure-thing nominees" for best lead and supporting actor at the Academy Awards, while IndieWire called it "the big worship winner and potential Oscar magnet" of the festival.

The film also stars Helena Bonham Carter, Jennifer Ehle, Derek Jacobi, Timothy Spall, Michael Gambon and Guy Pearce as the playboy older brother Prince Edward.

Announcing the London Film Festival program on Wednesday, organisers praised the performances of Firth and Rush.

"Watching them act together is akin to watching them dance, perfectly in step, bringing humour and poignancy to this unorthodox relationship."

The King's Speech will premiere at the London Film Festival on October 21.

The film will be released by Transmission in Australia in December.