I had actually never seen this movie before, the renaissance and Elizabeth’s reign not being my particular area of historical interest (though I do think she was an incredible woman!) but I wanted to see it before watching the sequel which has just come out on DVD, Elizabeth: The Golden Age.
Knowing as little as I do about the period, I still have to say my overall impression of the film was that it was shockingly inaccurate on so many accounts. I still enjoyed it, much as I did Marie Antoinette, for the acting, costumes and scenery but I would not recommend it to anyone wanting to learn about the famous queen! I think they also over simplified the factions at the time, vilifying the Catholic church and making a mockery of the French. I lost a bit of respect for the filmmakers on both accounts.
My favourite part of the film was actually the first few scenes of Elizabeth while she is still living in the country with her ladies. The pastoral landscape is breathtaking and I love her little stone tower. They all wear beautiful dresses in rich colours (this photo is of Elizabeth from that scene) and dance in the meadows to the playing of a minstrel. The Princess Elizabeth comes up laughing and riding upon her horse. The whole setting was just so utopian for me, I wished the whole story could remain there.
It does not, of course, but instead loosely follows the events of her life with a strong emphasis on her relationship with Robert Dudley (Joseph Fiennes who also plays William Shakespeare in ‘Shakespeare in Love’) and her refusal to choose a husband. I don’t think the plot flowed very well, and ended a bit abruptly, but it was easy enough to keep up.
What saved the movie was some really superb acting. Cate Blanchett seized the role and made a stunning Elizabeth and Geoffery Rush was both charming and chilling as Walsingham. Despite the scripting, they were both passionate and believable. I’m really looking forward to seeing them in the sequel!
I think it was worth watching, and some of the beautiful scenes like the masquerade on the lake, made up for the story. Just take it with a grain of salt and read a good biography if you want to learn about the real Elizabeth.
April 9th, 2008 at 2:06 am
I saw the movie when it came out and have the DVD and I agree with you. I loved the first few scenes and the fashions and gowns as well.
But yes, I do recommend as well to read biographies on Elizabeth I, before making an opinion of her from the movie as well as France and Spain.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:36 am
Maybe you will prefer the BBC’s Elizabeth I with Helen Mirren as the Queen. It is a much more accurate account of her life (though, of course, there are a few flaws). It certainly is worth the watch, much more than this film, or at least, that is what I think.
April 13th, 2008 at 11:52 am
I believe that because the movie was supposed to be a look through the eyes of the queen herself, that may be the reason that the Catholic Church was vilified, and the French were not taken so seriously. as the queen herself did not have a particular fondness for the aforementioned things. Elizabeth I was badly persecuted by her own catholic sister for many years before her death, and the French suitor was in her mind a very… well, silly man.