The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) 7.0
A depiction of the love/hate relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex. Director:Michael Curtiz |
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The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) 7.0
A depiction of the love/hate relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex. Director:Michael Curtiz |
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| Watch Trailer 0Share... |
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Bette Davis | ... | ||
| Errol Flynn | ... | ||
| Olivia de Havilland | ... | ||
| Donald Crisp | ... | ||
| Alan Hale | ... |
Earl of Tyrone
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| Vincent Price | ... | ||
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Henry Stephenson | ... |
Lord Burghley
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| Henry Daniell | ... | ||
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James Stephenson | ... | |
| Nanette Fabray | ... |
Mistress Margaret Radcliffe
(as Nanette Fabares)
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Ralph Forbes | ... | |
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Robert Warwick | ... | |
| Leo G. Carroll | ... |
Sir Edward Coke
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This period drama frames the tumultuous affair between Queen Elizabeth I and the man who would be King of England, Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex. Ever the victor on the battlefield, Devereux returns to London after defeating Spanish forces at Cadiz. Middle-aged Elizabeth, so attracted to the younger Devereux but fearful of his influence and popularity, sends him on a new mission: a doomed campaign to Ireland. When he and his troops return in defeat, Devereux demands to share the throne with the heir-less queen, and Elizabeth, at first, intends to marry. Ultimately sensing the marriage would prove disastrous for England, Elizabeth sets in motion a merciless plan to protect her people and preserve her throne. Written by IMDb Editors
I think the last time I saw this movie was probably over thirty years ago on the late-nite movie during Errol Flynn week. The local PBS station just showed it tonight and I was very impressed. I hardly knew who Bette Davis was back then, but now that I do know her, I was pleasantly surprised not to see her in this movie. Her Elizabeth was so unlike what I've come to expect from Davis that it was like seeing her for the first time.
Flynn, of course, is Flynn, and I refuse to say anything bad about a guy as handsome as him that wears thigh-high boots throughout the movie.
I thought the script was intelligent, the dialogue realistic, and the pacing pretty good. Yes, it flagged a couple of times, but never for more than a moment and the next scene picked it right up again. Except for de Haviland, the supporting cast doesn't have much to do and Vincent Price is more or less wasted. Those are minor quibbles, however, as overall the movie seems to have held up amazingly well.
I gave it a rating of 9 stars. It's not perfect, but it's very good, and Bette Davis is outstanding. And did I mention Flynn's boots?