"Elizabeth R" (1971) TV mini-series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

13 February 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Plot:

When Elizabeth Tudor comes to the throne, her (male) advisors know she has to marry. Doesn't she? Thus...

Plot Keywords:

Queen | Queen Of England | TV Mini-Series | Monarchy | Queen Elizabeth I

Awards:

Won 5 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Glenda Jackson	...	Queen Elizabeth I (6 episodes, 1971)
Ronald Hines	...	William Cecil (Lord Burghley) (5 episodes, 1971)
Stephen Murray	...	Walsingham (3 episodes, 1971)
Robert Hardy	...	Robert Dudley (Earl of Leicester) (3 episodes, 1971)
Angela Thorne	...	Lettice, Lady Leicester (3 episodes, 1971)
John Shrapnel	...	Earl of Sussex (3 episodes, 1971)
Robin Ellis	...	Robert Devereaux (Earl of Essex) (2 episodes, 1971)
Rachel Kempson	...	Kat Ashley (2 episodes, 1971)
Peter Howell	...	Lord Howard (2 episodes, 1971)
Peter Jeffrey	...	King Philip II of Spain (2 episodes, 1971)
Vivian Pickles	...	Mary Queen Scots (2 episodes, 1971)

Runtime:

85 min (6 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Parham Park, Storrington, West Sussex, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Two hundred gowns were made for the serial just for Glenda Jackson. Some costumes were so heavily padded that the actress could barely bend her arms, others were so heavy that she had to remain seated while wearing them. Some gowns required the use of weights to maintain their shape, and some costumes were so large that Jackson found it difficult to negotiate her way through doors.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: The courtyard in Elizabeth's palace contains an aviary with several Australian white cockatoos - long before any European had landed in Australia.

Quotes:

Queen Elizabeth I: I thought that if all other men deserted me, you would not.
Robert Dudley: I would die for you!
Queen Elizabeth I: What is that to do with it?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Blackadder's Most Cunning Moments (2008) (TV)

Superb!

This is my all-time favorite portrayal of Elizabeth Tudor, perhaps one of the greatest women to have ever lived. Glenda Jackson acts the role so well, one begins to believe in reincarnation. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Jackson was a trained shakespearian actor, therefore, adding the glamor of shakespearian oratory to the equally impressive story of Elizabeth. Why not--since they are both integral parts of the English renaissance.

I believe this movie captures the feel of the times and the personal and political crises that Elizabeth faced, with tremendous accuracy. Historically this movie appears to be completely accurate in its factual representations, something that cannot be said for "Elizabeth and Essex" (Bette Davis) or "Elizabeth" (Cate Blanchett).

Worth watching again and again.